UFC 290: Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

Kirk is one of the best bets on the card 

The betting experts who play odds and numbers instead of picking who will win are all getting destroyed on this card

Gomes is NOT the best dog on the card.

Not even close

Poor Dan. He was going to get destroyed. Now he has to deal with a Jalin Turner who didn't even cut weight

So maybe if DDP win you delete your tapo account. What about that?
Yes Rob should be the favorite, but even if you think the style of Dricus is trash, it works. Add the motivation  he has and  that he knows its his title shot fight. Rob after 2 fights with izzy realised his place in divison, so probably he fights mostly for money. I wont be surprised if DDP knocks him out

Damn Turner missed weight by 2 pounds? That sucks

Whittaker vs DDC = teacher vs student
Levels difference 

Guys how do I explain to ppl that Turner isn't a weight bully?

I mean he is tbf

Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez
Alexander Volkanovski, TKO, R5
I think the biggest difference here will be the wrestling skill. I think both guys will hurt each other multiple times on the feet, but whoever can use their wrestling to weather the storm or use it offensively to nullify the striking will edge it out. I give it to Volk here, I think the fight with Islam taught him a lot of new wrestling tricks, and I think he'll be able to hold Yair down and finish him with GnP. But if Yair wins I think it's probably like a question mark kick in the 1st or 2nd round, I personally think a lot of CKB guys are vulnerable to that technique...even Izzy

Moreno vs. Pantoja III
Brandon Moreno, TKO, R4
I think the biggest difference, and deciding factor for this fight will be the difference in striking. I personally think that's why Brandon lost the first two times, but I think he's gotten significantly better since then. But he could also get a little too excited and end up on the ground with Pantoja on his back.

Whittaker vs. Du Plessis
Robert Whittaker, TKO, R2
I think the 1-2 headkick combo will be open all day for Rob. Or maybe a step-in elbow to counter as that dude just bum-rushes in.

Hooker vs. Turner
Jalin Turner, TKO, R1
Turner missing weight but looking okay on the scale makes me think it's some sort of an injury, maybe knee or something. Anyways if he performs like he usually does I see him taking Dan out in the 1st, he just hasn't been the same since that Poirier fight, a lot of punches seem to make him "pause" for a moment, and you can't do that with someone like Turner standing in front of you.

Nickal vs. Woodburn
Bo Nickal, SUB, R1
Wouldn't mind being wrong here just simply because of how big of an underdog Woodburn is, the upset would be hilarious.

Lawler vs. Price
Niko Price, TKO, R3
I think Price just has a more fresh chin coming into this, but Robbie's experience could pull it out for him. and honestly, I kinda hope it does lol

He’s an 6 foot 3 lightweight, he is a weight bully

But nothing wrong with it, either change the rules becuase I can’t hate the player, only hate the game 

Harrell failed medicals. Fights off

JDM fight is off the card.... Josiah Harrell has some sort of medical issue...

Bro lasted 12h in the UFC 💀

oh no 
JDM vs Harrell was biggest lock 2023

Made a few changes to my picks. I've managed to watch some more tape than I usually get time to do, and some interesting things caught my eye

1) Yasmine Jauregui to get a finish
I like Denise Gomez a lot. She is great to watch and she really exposed how Bruna Brasil could not fight on her backfoot with her forward brawling style. 3 problems I see with her, she gets tired, she can get out wrestled (which will make her tired) and she can get hit (and Yasmine is really technical especially with her boxing). I think Yasmine will hit her with high volume, mix in grappling and as she tires out I think she will get a late finish. As Yasmine is also hittable and Denis has power the Fight does not go the distance is a good bet I feel.

2) Saaiman to get a finish
I think his striking is just too good for Mitchell who has been knocked out a few times before. Calling a late KO

3) Robbie Lawler to win
I've been listening to Santino and he thinks Lawler wins this. And I then went back and watched tape on Price. The Rowe fight really was horrible. He looked awful, slow, hittable and looked gassed. Robbie is going to come forward, not get taken down and he is going to brawl in the pocket with Price. And he will hit him with body shots. Price will get tired and I don't know how much more damage he can take, in fact I think he could be more damaged than Robbie. I have a feeling Robbie is going out with a win here.

4) Pantoja decision win/R2 or 3 submission
I watched more tape on Moreno. And like Kevin Lee I am beginning to see holes in his game. He is so active and scrambly with high volume and just so much energy that I missed a lot of things before. Firstly, the Figuereido fights. I rewatched them and I came away extremely unimpressed. Not with Moreno but with Figgy. In some of those fights it was almost like he wanted to lose. Did not throw anything, kept getting taken down and reversed, kept pulling guillotine, slowed down almost after round 2 and lost almost every scramble. Not a good look at all. In fact almost suspicious. Then watching the KKF fight it actually looked like Moreno was losing until he got the liver kick. Considering his match up with Pantoja, yes he will likely be the faster fighter and for me previously the key thing was his cardio. I thought Pantoja would likely win the first 2 rounds and then slow down. But now looking at it I feel that Pantoja will come out fast and hard and will not allow Moreno time to control the pace of the fight like he did with Figgy, and he will get hit as he is very hittable, and Pantoja has real power. Also though he is the better wrestler he is going to lose the scrambles with Pantoja, unlike with Figgy. And finally, Pantoja will get his back, and that could be very very bad. I think Pantoja is one of the best in this regards in the whole of the UFC. At the very least he could get a body lock or back pack Moreno for a few rounds and preserve his cardio, I just don't see Moreno scrambling out, and if he does he will be vulnerable for the submission. I am beginning to really like Pantoja here.

 NoSmokeSport on Twitter: "🚨 Per sources, Josiah Harrell is out of his bout due to a medical issue. His bout against Jack Della Maddalena has been canceled🚨 Josiah was already a late replacement for JDM, who was originally supposed to fight Sean Brady. #UFC #UFC290 Still awaiting official…" / Twitter  

Absolute garbage. Bro didn't want his teeth knocked out so over cut. Any bet. If you don't want to fight then give the opportunity to someone who does. Muscle Hampster my ass. Muscle Chihuahua more like.

* Edited at 07.07.2023, 5:06 PM ET *

About 30 hours till Rob takes a big nap in the middle of the octagon and 90% of people on here start crying and become Izzy’s biggest fans lmao