Get a round of bold UFC predictions for the promotion’s next event, UFC 290 on July 1.
On Saturday night, the MMA world leader returns to pay-per-view for a jam-packed card inside the T-Moble Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The International Fight Week card will be headlined by a massive matchup at featherweight that will see defending champion Alexander Volkanovski taking on interim titlist Yair Rodriguez.
The Australian will be returning to 145 pounds to defend his belt for the fifth straight time after an unsuccessful jaunt to lightweight.
Related: UFC tonight – Fight card, watch times and odds for Saturday’s UFC event
In the co-main event, flyweight king Brandon Moreno will make his first defense in his second reign as champion when he takes on a fighter that has had his number during their careers in Brazil’s Alexandre Pantoja. The champion has lost twice before to Pantoja, including during Season 24 of “The Ultimate Fighter.”
UFC 290 will also feature the return of several Octagon veterans like former middleweight king Robert Whittaker, and Jalin Turner, as well as Hall-of-Famer Robbie Lawler. With that in mind, let’s make some bold UFC predictions for several major matchups on Saturday night.
UFC predictions: 5 UFC 290 fighters getting Ws
Alexander Volkanovski (25-2) vs. Yair Rodriguez (15-3)
Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez is a fun matchup of two world-class 145-pounders and strikers. On paper, it is an interesting matchup where the Mexican star certainly has a route to victory on the feet. However, there is a distinct difference between the two. The grappling skills of “The Great.”
Volkanovski doesn’t use his grappling often to win but he certainly can and proved how good it can be by forcing lightweight champion Islam Makhachev into a mostly standup fight in their bout earlier this year. “El Pantera” has shown issues with his wrestling, and if he hasn’t fixed them he could be spending a lot of time on his back at UFC 290.
- UFC 290 odds: Volkanovski (-375), Rodriguez (+280)
- Prediction: Volkanovski by submission, Round 5
Brandon Moreno (21-6-2) vs. Alexandre Pantoja (25-5)
Moreno is the best version of himself right now. He proved that with a pair of wins over Deiveson Figueiredo and regaining his belt. However, can he beat a man that has owned him during what will be a Hall-of-Fame career?
Pantoja isn’t a wildly technical fighter who offers a unique skill set that is hard to deal with. But, he is well-rounded, down to brawl, and is very durable. Yet, in terms of growth, “Assassin Baby” seems to have evolved much more and is a smart fighter who should make this a tactical battle. Our UFC predictions see him getting a finish and sweet revenge in the third.
- Odds: Moreno (-205), Pantoja (+175)
- UFC Prediction: Moreno by TKO, Round 3
Robert Whittaker (24-6) vs. Dricus Du Plessis (19-2)
Whittaker is one of the biggest favorites on this card and for good reason. He is the best middleweight in the world not named Israel Adesanya. Plus, his matchup with Dricus Du Plessis just seems like such a favorable matchup for him.
Also Read: Who are the 10 greatest fighters in MMA history?
If the South African can get this bout to the ground then it will be very interesting and he could get the title fight the champ seems to want. However, if a third shot at Adesanya really is on the line, expect “Bobby Knuckles” to be on his A-game and to put on a show against the rising star.
- Odds: Whittaker (-375), Du Plessis (+285)
- Prediction: Whittaker by TKO, Round 2
Robbie Lawler (29-16) vs. Niko Price (15-6)
Lawler is one of the best welterweights of the last 20 years and will be remembered by die-hard UFC fans as one of the toughest and most exciting fighters of his era. However, at 41 he is a sad shell of his former self and is damaging a great legacy by continuing to compete in the UFC. And he showed another example of that in his 2022 loss to Bryan Barberena.
His matchup with Niko Price on Saturday seems like it could mirror the Barberena defeat a year ago. If this was 2015, “Ruthless” would absolutely maul Price, but now his opponent’s durability, pressure, and solid power will likely be trouble for Lawler and lead to the sixth loss in the UFC legend’s last seven.
- Odds: Lawler (+190), Price (-225)
- UFC Prediction: Price by split-decision
Dan Hooker (22-12) vs. Jalin Turner (13-6)
Jalin Turner vs. Dan Hooker is a matchup with legitimate fight-of-the-night potential. Both are talented fighters with finishing abilities wherever the fight goes. But Turner seems to be in a very different place in his career. He is a ranked talent that is evolving into his best form. Hooker is a well-known fighter that is showing signs of wear and tear.
What also makes this a tough matchup for the former featherweight is that Turner is a long and rangy lightweight. In his fights, Hooker is often the bigger fighter. Expect “The Tarantula” to fight a smart scrap, not engage in a brawl, and win a clear unanimous decision.
- Odds: Hooker (+240), Turner (-285)
- UFC Prediction: Turner by unanimous decision