One of the most anticipated matchups of the year happens on Saturday when champion Alexander Volkanovski puts his strap on the line against Yair Rodriguez. Volkanovski is the heavy -400 favorite but action will land on Rodriguez the closer we get to fight night. Before Volkanovski versus Rodriguez, Brandon Moreno throws down against Alexander Pantoja in a championship bout. Check out MMA odds, analysis, and free picks for the main card fights at UFC 290 on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

UFC 290 Event Info

For the undisputed throne @AlexVolkanovski meets @PanteraUFC goes down SATURDAY at #UFC290!! pic.twitter.com/ZEc7N76qag

— UFC (@ufc) July 5, 2023

• When: Saturday, July 8, 2023. 7pm EST
• Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
• TV: PPV
• Live Stream: UFC Fight Pass

READ MORE: UFC 290 Sleeper Picks

UFC 290 Main Card Odds

UFC 290 Main Card Preview

Beau Nickal vs. Val Woodburn

Beau Nickal was supposed to take on Tresean Gore. But Gore suffered a wrist injury and had to pull out of the fight. Although undefeated at 7-0, this is Woodburn’s first bout at the UFC level, which explains the odds difference.

Nickal is 4-0. He’s 3-0 via submission victories and 1-0 via KO/TKO wins. Nickal beat UFC veteran Jamie Pickett via first round submission in his last. It’s tough to go against the chalk in this.

UFC 290 Pick: Beau Nickal

Jalin Turner vs. Dan Hooker

Veteran Dan Hooker has won just 2 of his last 5 bouts. The good news if you’re looking to play the dog is that Hooker beat Claudio Puelles in his last bout via second round knockout. Puelles had won 5 straight. So Hooker’s win could be a sign he’s returned to his best form.

Jalin Turner was on a 5-match winning streak before his last. Turner lost a split decision bout to Mateusz Gamrot. Hooker has a chance, but Turner almost pulled off the victory versus a great fighter in Gamrot. Give the favorite the nod.

UFC 290 Pick: Jalin Turner

Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus du Plessis

The underdog in this is in great form. Dricus du Plessis has won 7 straight, including all 5 of his UFC bouts.

But although du Plessis is in excellent form, he’s up against one of UFC’s best in Robert Whittaker. In his last bout, Whittaker beat Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision. Overall, Whittaker has lost 2 fights in his last 15.

Both losses came against champ Israel Adesanya. For sure, Whittaker should be the chalk, and he probably wins this. However, du Plessis has a 2.5 inches reach advantage. So taking a chance on the dog makes sense.

UFC 290 Pick: Dricus du Plessis

Brandon Moreno vs. Alexander Pantoja // UFC Flyweight Title

Moreno has won his last 2, both title fights. Brandon’s last loss came versus rival Deiveson Figueiredo. In the 4 bouts versus Figueiredo, Moreno has 1 loss, the two drew in a match, and Moreno has 2 wins.

Pantoja’s last 3 losses were all via unanimous decision. These two fought in 2018 with Pantoja winning via unanimous decision. This should go down to the wire. The odds difference makes the underdog the play.

UFC 290 Pick: Alexander Pantoja

Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez // UFC Featherweight Title

Volkanovski hadn’t lost since 2013. But in his last, Alexander faced an MMA fighter that had his number. Islam Makhachev beat Volkanovski via unanimous decision.

Yair Rodriguez could pull a Makhachev. Rodriguez submitted Josh Emmett in his last. Before submitting Emmett, Yair had knocked out Brian Ortega in the fight before.

Volkanovski should be the favorite, but the odds make the chalk an underlay. Rodriguez will use his 5 inches height advantage. The chalk gets the decision victory.

UFC 290 Pick: Yair Rodriguez

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