Getty Image / Chris Unger
As is always the case during International Fight Week, the UFC has some massive fights coming up on this weekend’s UFC 290 card.
Robert Whittaker will look to prove that he is still one of the middleweight division’s top dogs in a matchup against rising star Dricus Du Plessis.
In the co-main event, Brandon Moreno will look to avenge a loss to Alexandre Pantoja from 5 years ago as he defends the flyweight belt for the 1st time.
The main event will feature featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski attempting to make a statement against Yair Rodriguez after he fell short in his bid to become the world’s #1 pound-for-pound fighter his last time out.
Rodriguez poses a unique challenge for Volkanovski thanks to his elite kicking game, something Volk hasn’t faced since he took on Jose Aldo 4 years ago.
While Rodriguez represents a stern test for the defending champ, it seems he already has plans for what comes after UFC 290.
During UFC 290’s media day, Volkanovski revealed that he’s expecting a rematch against Islam Makhachev next and wants it more for the revenge than the chance to become a double champ.
Alexander Volkanovski expects an Islam Makhachev rematch after #UFC290 and says revenge is more important than winning a second belt.
Full interview: https://t.co/UQpLGSdYdg pic.twitter.com/yeI0t8uRuQ
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 5, 2023
Luckily for Volkanovski, Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje did him some pretty big favors in their most recent fights. They removed both Beneil Dariush and Rafael Fiziev from the immediate title picture.
That likely leaves Oliveira and Volkanovski as the two top choices for the next title shot in the division if Volk wins against Rodriguez.
Oliveira is the former champ in the division, but Volkanovski had a much more interesting fight against Makhachev than Oliveira did.
He’ll need to be focused on getting the job done this weekend, but Alexander Volkanovski could just get his chance at revenge with a strong performance at UFC 290.