The UFC has two title fights on tap for Saturday’s pay-per-view event from Las Vegas, and top online sportsbooks have released UFC 290 betting odds for the entire card. In the main event, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski () takes on interim champ Yair Rodriguez () in a bout to clarify the title picture at 145 pounds. In the co-headliner, flyweight champion Brandon Moreno () defends his belt against former foe Alexandre Pantoja ().
Below, we’ll dive in to all the betting odds for the UFC 290 card. We’ll also take a look at UFC 290 prop odds and more.
UFC 290 main event odds
Alexander Volkanovski () vs. Yair Rodriguez ()
This is Volkanovski’s first fight back at featherweight since his unsuccessful move up to lightweight to challenge for Islam Makhachev’s 155-pound belt. While some will still say he deserved to win that decision, in the meantime the UFC crowned Rodriguez as an interim champ, thus setting up this clash to determine the undisputed champ at 145 pounds.
Once again, Volkanovski comes into a fight as the shorter man. He’ll be giving up close to six inches in height to Rodriguez, but that’s nothing new for Volkanovski. In the past, he’s easily overcome that with footwork and quickness, with a big assist from his prodigious fight IQ. There might be no fighter in all of MMA right now who’s better at making mid-fight adjustments. The longer a fight goes, the more Volkanovski seems to learn about the best ways to attack his opponents.
That makes the early part of the fight especially critical for Rodriguez. His best chances to hurt Volkanovski and either finish him or at least diminish him enough to make a late comeback difficult may come in the first two rounds. In the past, Volkanovski has lost the early rounds before taking over later, and Rodriguez’s dynamic attack should be at its most potent when he’s fresh. Rodriguez is a creative, unpredictable striker who is dangerous both when he’s advancing and on the counter-attack.
If he can keep Volkanovski at his preferred range and fight at his pace, Rodriguez has a chance to cash as an underdog here. But Volkanovski has so many ways of taking over a fight as it grinds on, and his durability and recuperative powers make him extremely difficult to finish. Rodriguez will likely need to bank some rounds early and get ahead on the scorecards. Trying to play from behind against a fighter as smart and savvy as Volkanovski will be difficult.
Like all UFC title fights, this one is scheduled for five rounds. Volkanovski has gone to decision in six of his last seven. The over/under here is rounds, and if the champ has his way, it could very well go the full distance.
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UFC 290 co-main event odds
Brandon Moreno () vs. Alexandre Pantoja ()
It might be surprising to see Moreno as the favorite, considering that he’s lost two fights to Pantoja — one professional, one exhibition. The last time they met was in 2018, when Pantoja won a decision just two years after submitting Moreno on the UFC reality show “The Ultimate Fighter.” But Moreno is a much different fighter now than he was five years ago. This version of Moreno is far more well-rounded and strategic in his approach, plus he has the advantage in title fight experience after four memorable bouts with former champ Deiveson Figueiredo.
Pantoja is still a tough opponent and a live dog in this fight. He notched early submission victories in his last two fights, and he has a three-fight winning streak in the UFC. But so far, Moreno is the highest-caliber opponent he’s beaten, and here he faces a much tougher version.
UFC 290 props and round betting
Also on the main card here, former middleweight champ Robert Whittaker comes in as a sizable favorite over rising contender Dricus du Plessis. Whittaker isn’t exactly known as an explosive finisher, but he is a brilliant tactician with a knack for picking opponents apart over the course of a fight. With the over/under at rounds, that may come into play.
For the prelims, legendary knockout artist Robbie Lawler is competing in what he says will be the final fight of his career. He faces a wild but exciting opponent in Niko Price, and this fight feels like one that was booked to guarantee a knockout finish — one way or another — for Lawler’s last fight.
Full UFC 290 odds and fight card
Main card
Alexander Volkanovski () vs. Yair Rodriguez ()
Brandon Moreno () vs. Alexandre Pantoja ()
Robert Whittaker () vs. Dricus du Plessis ()
Jalin Turner () vs. Dan Hooker ()
Bo Nickal () vs. Val Woodburn ()
Prelims
Robbie Lawler () vs. Niko Price ()
Jack Della Maddalena () vs. Josiah Harrell ()
Yazmin Jauregui () vs. Denise Gomes ()
Jimmy Crute () vs. Alonzo Menifield ()
Early prelims
Tatsuro Taira () vs. Edgar Chairez ()
Vitor Petrino () vs. Marcin Prachnio ()
Cameron Saaiman () vs. Terrence Mitchell ()
Shannon Ross () vs. Jesus Santos Aguilar ()
Kamuela Kirk () vs. Esteban Ribovics ()
How to watch UFC 290
- Early prelims, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN+
- Prelims, 8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN/ESPN+
- Main card, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+ pay-per-view
