UFC 290 results, highlights: Alexander Volkanovski stops Yair Rodriguez to unify featherweight titles

Volkanovski's win cap International Fight Week in Las Vegas

Rare is the man who loses his most recent fight but still maintains a position as the consensus pound-for-pound king. That was the position featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski found himself in heading into his UFC 290 main event against interim champion Yair Rodriguez. After dominating the action against Rodriguez, Volkanovski scored a third-round stoppage to unify the featherweight titles and once again affirm his status as mixed martial arts' best fighter.

Rodriguez (15-4), a dangerous and lightning-quick striker with long limbs, presented unique problems for Volkanovski. Volkanovski would ultimately negate those challenges by taking advantage of the most minor of Rodriguez's mistakes to take his opponent down and dominate the action on the floor before a big right hook set up a third-round finish.

Volkanovski (26-2) entered the fight coming off his first loss in more than 20 professional bouts when he attempted to move up to lightweight to become a double champion against lightweight champ Islam Makhachev, losing a thrilling narrow decision. Despite having to shed extra weight after bulking up for the Makhachev fight, Volkanovski looked in complete form, avoiding almost all of Rodriguez's strikes while pouncing on takedowns and using brute strength to keep the interim champion on his back and on the defense.

Can't get enough boxing and MMA? Get the latest in the world of combat sports from two of the best in the business. Subscribe to Morning Kombat with Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell for the best analysis and in-depth news, including instant analysis of UFC 290 in Las Vegas below.

Rodriguez started to figure out a rhythm in the third round, getting his kicks off and keeping Volkanovski off balance with a variety of dangerous strikes. All that momentum disappeared when Volkanovski landed a single right hand that immediately put Rodriguez on the defensive.

Volkanovski pushed forward, throwing big strikes before taking Rodriguez down again, this time flurrying with big punches as Rodriguez covered up, leaving no choice but for the referee to call a halt to the action at 4:19 of Round 3.

Speaking to the crowd at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Volkanovski made it clear he still has intentions to move back to 155 pounds and challenge for the lightweight division, but is also willing to continue on as featherweight champion, suggesting a bout with Ilia Topuria could make sense for his next outing.

"I mean, there's a few options," Volkanovski said. "I'll be completely honest with you, I need to get a bit of surgey on my arm. Getting through camp was a little bit difficult. ... I want that lightweight belt, I still want that."

The win over Rodriguez was Volkanovski's fifth successful defense of the UFC featherweight championship.

CBS Sports was with you the entire way on Saturday bringing you all the results and highlights from the UFC 290 below.

UFC 290 card and results

• Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Yair Rodriguez (ic), featherweight title
• Brandon Moreno (c) def. Alexandre Pantoja via split decision to win the flyweight championship
• Dricus du Plessis def. Robert Whittaker via TKO, Round 2
  
• Dan Hooker def. Jalin Turner via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  
• Bo Nickal def. Valentine Woodburn via first-round KO
• Robbie Lawler def. Niko Price via first-round KO
• Denise Gomes def. Yazmin Jauregui via TKO, Round 1
  
• Alonzo Menifield def. Jimmy Crute via submission (guillotine choke), Round 2
  
• Tatsuro Taira def. Edgar Chairez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
  
• Vitor Petrino def. Marcin Prachino via submission, Round 3
• Cameron Saaiman def. Christian Rodriguez via TKO, Round 1
• Jesus Aguilar def. Shannon Ross via TKO, Round 1
• Esteban Ribovics def. Kamuela Kirk via unanimous decision

[Jul 9, 2023 at 1:07 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Yair Rodriguez (ic) -- Round 3: Rodriguez again threw several big kicks in the early moments of the round but without landing much of anything. Rodriguez did finally land a head kick and a right hand before Volkanovski responded with a good leg kick. Rodriguez landed a few more good kicks, including leg kicks and one good body kick. The action was halted after an accidental headbutt from Volkanovski landed to Rodriguez's jaw. Rodriguez continued to land good kicks, getting loose and letting shots go before a big Volkanovski right hand hurt Rodriguez. Volkanovski followed in, landing big shots, scoring a takedown and then landing a flurry of punches until the fight was stopped by the referee. In Rodriguez's best round, Volkanovski got the finish. That is your pound-for-pound king. Result: Alexander Volkanovski def. Yair Rodriguez via TKO, Round 3

[Jul 9, 2023 at 12:59 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Yair Rodriguez (ic) -- Round 2: Volkanovski suffered a cut in the first round, taking an elbow from Rodriguez off his back. Rodriguez charged forward with kicks from odd angles but did not land cleanly in his flurry. Rodriguez landed a good low ick as he continued to stay at range. Volkanovski landed a hard right and grabbed a body lock to score another takedown, working immediately to take the back. Rodriguez managed to stand up but Volkanovski took him right back down, landing a series of elbows. Again, Rodriguez got up but was taken right back down. Volkanovski continued to attack with heavy ground and pound, both men bleeding as the champion poured on solid offense. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Volkanovski (20-18)

[Jul 9, 2023 at 12:53 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Yair Rodriguez (ic) -- Round 1: Rodriguez moved around the outside of the cage, trying to draw Volkanovksi in. Rodriguez flashed a lot of kicks, though he did not landing the opening minute as Volkanovski tried to chase. Volkanovski caught a Rodriguez kick and took the fight right to the canvas. Volkanovski landed punches to the body to open up a shot to the head. Rodriguez kept a tight guard while Volkanovski dropped punches from in tight. Rodriguez kicked off to create space and went to standing while Volkanovski kept a clinch and dragged the fight back down. Volkanovski threatened with an arm triangle and continued to drop punches. Nice round for Volkanovski. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Volkanovski

[Jul 9, 2023 at 12:42 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Moments before the main event, the odds continue to slide toward the champ, with Volkanovski currently at -370 and Rodriguez +285

[Jul 9, 2023 at 12:30 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

It's main event time! Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski faces interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez. This should be very entertaining, matching the tremendous action we've seen all night.

[Jul 9, 2023 at 12:24 am ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Result: Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Moreno via split decision (49-46, 47-48, 47-48) to win the UFC flyweight championship

A great fight between two tremendous fighters. I had it scored for Moreno but Pantoja winning is no robbery by any stretch.