Alexander Volkanovski finishes Yair Rodriguez in UFC 290 main event

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and interim titleholder Yair Rodriguez fought in a title unification bout in the UFC 290 main event on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Rodriguez won the interim title defeating Josh Emmett by submission while Volkanovski went up a division to challenge for the lightweight championship.  Volkanovski lost in a razor-close match to Islam Makhachev. Now he wants reclaim his undisputed status.

They both felt each other out early with Rodriguez circling on the outside.  Volkanovski caught a kick and took Rodriguez down with just over three minutes left in the opening round.  

On top, Volkanovski delivered punches to the body and head.  Rodriquez kicked Volkanovski off only to be taken down again.  Volkanovski delivered hard punches and briefly looked for a head-and arm choke.  Rodriguez escaped but took shots until the end of the round.

They exchanged legs kicks to start the second frame.  Rodriguez rushed forward with a series of kicks.  Volkanovski stayed out of range.  Volkanovski closed the distance and right into a right hand.  He quickly put Rodriguez on his back.  Rodrigues escaped but Volkanovski stayed on him and took him down again.  Again, Rodriguez worked his way to his feet but got taken down again,

Volkanovski deliver punches from top position, heavy right hands.  Rodriguez was cut but active from the bottom.  The round ended with Rodriguez on the bottom taking punches.  

In the third, Rodriguez came out throwing kicks.  Volkanovski stayed out of distance.  In the final moments of the round there was a clash of head.  The bout was momentarily halted for both men to recover.

Once restarted Volkanovski connected with leg kicks.  Rodriguez rushed in with a left hand.  Volkanovski hurt Rodriguez with a right hand  and immediately took him down.  He repeatedly landed punches until the referee stopped the fight. The official stoppage came at 3:19 of the third round.