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Volkanovski reclaims featherweight crown with TKO of Rodriguez at UFC 290

Volkanovski reclaims featherweight crown with TKO of Rodriguez at UFC 290

Alexander Volkanovski proved once again why he is one of the best fighters in the UFC, as he dominated Yair Rodriguez and finished him with a third-round TKO to retain his featherweight title at UFC 290 on Saturday night.

Volkanovski, who had briefly moved up to lightweight earlier this year, returned to his natural weight class and showed no signs of rust or fatigue. He outstruck, outwrestled and outgrappled Rodriguez, who was the interim champion after Volkanovski’s absence.

Volkanovski landed 87 significant strikes to Rodriguez’s 32, and scored six takedowns to Rodriguez’s zero. He also controlled the fight on the ground, landing vicious elbows and punches that opened up cuts on Rodriguez’s face.

In the third round, Volkanovski mounted Rodriguez and rained down more strikes until the referee stepped in to stop the fight at 3:12. It was Volkanovski’s first finish since 2017, and his 20th consecutive win overall.

“I’m back, baby!” Volkanovski said after the fight. “I told you I’m the best in the world. No one can stop me. I’m here to stay.”

Volkanovski improved his record to 26-2, while Rodriguez fell to 14-3. Volkanovski said he is open to face any challenger in the featherweight division, but he also hinted at a possible rematch with former champion Max Holloway, who he beat twice by decision in 2019 and 2020.

“I know everyone wants to see me and Max go at it again,” Volkanovski said. “He’s a great fighter, but I’ve already beaten him twice. If he wants to try again, he knows where to find me.”

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