Alexander Volkanovski showed he’s still top of the heap in the featherweight division on Saturday when he defended the strap against Yair Rodriguez in the UFC 290 headliner.
After suffering his first octagon loss to Islam Makhachev in a lightweight title bout in February, Volkanovski (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC) returned to his proper weight and turned back interim titleholder Rodriguez (15-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) by fourth-round TKO in the International Fight Week main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Volkanovski’s title defense against Rodriguez at UFC 290.
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MMA Junkie
IT'S MAIN EVENT TIME! Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez is minutes way.
Prediction? 🤔#UFC290 | Full coverage: https://t.co/akWiLzav3r pic.twitter.com/YaXCjVvGuJ
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 9, 2023
UFC
Can interim become undisputed!?@PanteraUFC on his way to the Octagon at #UFC290! pic.twitter.com/1lGIqf6kGh
— UFC (@ufc) July 9, 2023
UFC
Back at 145lbs to defend his throne!@AlexVolkanovski ready for his return to featherweight at #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/t9EEewuTuX
— UFC (@ufc) July 9, 2023
UFC
👀 @Topuriailia con los ojos en esta pelea #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/o3JbIuc7Hz
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) July 9, 2023
UFC
MAIN EVENT TIME WHAT A NIGHT 🏆 #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/qlzdtfFiDd
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 9, 2023
David Michaud
Kevin Iole
Volk pressuring and takes Yair down in the center
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) July 9, 2023
Alan Jouban
Being against the fence drastically reduces the threat of your guard. #UFC290
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 9, 2023
Teddy Atlas
Rodriguez needed a fast start and Volkanoski not letting him out of the driveway. He’s so smart. #UFC290
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) July 9, 2023
Jed I. Goodman
Julianna Peña doing her best Mrs. Alvarez impression.
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) July 9, 2023
Aaron Bronsteter
Clear 10-9 round for Volkanovski
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) July 9, 2023
Suzanne
Cormier has no idea what he's talking about and he's just throwing words into the universe and it's honestly fascinating.
— Suzanne (@SoozieCuzie) July 9, 2023
Saidyokub Kakhramonov
That’s it Volk going to grind this out.
— Saidyokub Kakhramonov (@SaidYokubMMA) July 9, 2023
Aljamain Sterling
Damn, bruh. Volk is a savage. No cap!#UFC290
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 9, 2023
Alan Jouban
Looked like Volk ate a big shot there too, and recovered quickly. #UFC290
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 9, 2023
Mike Bohn
Yair Rodriguez could not afford one bit to let Alexander Volkanovski start like this. Down big after 10 minutes. Now needs the final 3 rounds or a finish to win. Good luck. #UFC290
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) July 9, 2023
Ben Askren
It drives me crazy that the UFC counts may returns as takedowns, but I bet @ShaneSparksBTN is pumped.
— Funky (@Benaskren) July 9, 2023
Luke Thomas
Volk’s understanding of his assignment position to position is extremely impressive. Where to turn, where to place weight, where to grip. It’s sharp.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) July 9, 2023
Teddy Atlas
Wow what a chin on Volkanovski, he ate a counter right hand coming in like candy, then went to work in his space on mat. #UFC290
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) July 9, 2023
Ben Fowlkes
“Do not let him take you down” seems like maybe not terribly helpful advice for Rodriguez right now. I doubt he was getting taken down because he thought it was a good idea.
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) July 9, 2023
Phil Murphy
DC is talking about Rodriguez as the "longer athlete"
Volkanovski has the reach advantage. He's short, but he's long.
— Phil Murphy © (@Phil_Sports) July 9, 2023
ESPN MMA
THESE ELBOWS FROM VOLK 😬 #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/tKoqv1kvQq
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 9, 2023
Caposa
Just too good. Volk is unreal. What a right hook
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) July 9, 2023
Matthew Wells
#AndStill. One of, if not THE greatest featherweight of all time, Alexander Volkanovski. What a performance. #UFC290
— Matthew Wells (@MrMWells) July 9, 2023
Stephen Thompson
Volk is a G.O.A.T. at 145. Calm, cool, calculated. Would love to see him against the talent at 155!! #UFC290
— “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) July 9, 2023
UFC
STILL KING OF THE FEATHERWEIGHTS 👑🇦🇺@AlexVolkanovski stops Yair Rodriguez in Round 3!! #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/B4I8lR7WzD
— UFC (@ufc) July 9, 2023
MMA Junkie
#UFC290 results: Alexander Volkanovski (@AlexVolkanovski) def. Yair Rodriguez via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:19 – to defend featherweight title
Full coverage: https://t.co/akWiLzav3r pic.twitter.com/rRyAyxMgzV
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 9, 2023
Chris Curtis
Thank God I got one! Lmao what a night…
Congrats to all the winners tonight. And for those who lost, on to the next one! IFW WAS AMAZING
Great card @Mickmaynard2
And @seanshelby#UFC290— Chris Curtis The Action Man (@Actionman513) July 9, 2023
Kenny Florian
Volko just showed a MasterClass in mma tonight. Took an extremely potent and dangerous fighter in Rodriguez to school tonight. 🔥
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 9, 2023
MMA junkie
#UFC290 results: Alexander Volkanovski (@AlexVolkanovski) def. Yair Rodriguez via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:19 – to defend featherweight title
Full coverage: https://t.co/akWiLzav3r pic.twitter.com/rRyAyxMgzV
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 9, 2023
UFC
There's nothing better.
All respect between @AlexVolkanovski and @PanteraUFC after our #UFC290 main event pic.twitter.com/67vrFou08i
— UFC (@ufc) July 9, 2023
Michael Carroll
Alexander Volkanovski now has the 2nd most featherweight title fight wins in UFC history with six (Aldo, 8). #UFC290
— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) July 9, 2023
Teddy Atlas
Alexander Volkanovski now has the 2nd most featherweight title fight wins in UFC history with six (Aldo, 8). #UFC290
— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) July 9, 2023
ESPN
Adesanya was HYPED for Volk 🙌 #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/Aw7wxl05Ss
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 9, 2023
Mike Bohn
UFC champ Israel Adesanya and NBA champ Jamal Murray celebrate their guy Alex Volkanovski’s win 🤝 #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/d28mvw2C52
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) July 9, 2023
