UFC 290 and Why You’re Shitting Yourself Right Now

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Oh, how the start of July has brought a blessing by placing several stacked matchups for fans to enjoy. Nothing can truly be more patriotic (no matter where you’re from) than seeing the likes of the defending Featherweight champion, the second best middleweight in the world, and the current defending Flyweight champion take on such monstrous challenges on a riveting Saturday night.

To quote Ursula K. Le Guin: “The only thing that makes life possible is permanent, intolerable uncertainty; not knowing what comes next.”

And boy does the card we’re presented with deliver on that quote with a strong emphasis on uncertainty.

Volkanovski Versus Rodriguez:

It is no secret that with time, and more exposure to fighters, people tend to place doubt when a fighter shows humanity in their performances. Many doubted Volk’s abilities after the second bout with former featherweight champion Max Holloway. And after failing to achieve double champion status against Islam, many are left questioning the champion’s ability again leading into his next defense.

It surely does not help that Yair presents a unique challenge in his unorthodox style that has flustered many of his previous opponents. An athletic monster, honestly, as one minute he’s throwing wild striking combinations at Emmett, and the next he’s on his back submitting him.

Yair Rodriguez submits Josh Emmett to claim interim featherweight gold 😤 #UFC284 pic.twitter.com/96CEpFEhh4
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 12, 2023

Had this been the “El Pantera” of old, this match would not look as enticing, but with the upgrade of his cardio and his ability to keep his flow and pace, it poses a unique set of challenges that Volk might not be prepared to face.

Likewise, the elite abilities of Volk in his normal weight class are nothing to dismiss. Alexander “The Great” has shown why he is considered one of the greatest Featherweights not only in the current era, but any era.

Not only that, but training with the likes of Craig Jones, and his fellow fighters at City Kickboxing, he has shown a steady improvement to his game.

As a fan, I have my suspicions, but in this fight, I truly believe that counting anyone out until the end is foolish.

Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus Du Plessis

This is an interesting fight for several reasons, though you may not agree yourself.

One is the title eliminator aspect of the bout. With the chance to claim a fight to grab Middleweight gold, there is no chance that these two do not show up at one hundred percent come opening fight day.

Two is the evolution of Whittaker after losing his belt to Israel Adesanya, the current Middleweight champion. After facing losing to Adesanya once, he would go on to beat Darren Till, as well as dismantle Jared Cannonier and Kelvin Gastelum.

Then after the second fight, in which he lost a unanimous decision, he would put on a wonderful performance against Marvin Vettori, winning a mostly one-sided unanimous decision.

However, he faces a challenger that carries knockout power, and an ability to eat shots— with only one knockout loss to his name. Boasting a seven fight winning streak, Dricus plans to defeat a tough challenger in Robert Whittaker and fight the Nigerian-born Champion.

In a way, this is a fight for both men to prove themselves in separate but equal ways.

For Whittaker, his chance to show the improvements that he needs to be capable of reclaiming the title he once held is approaching. To do so, he must have an outstanding performance, and quite possibly finish the South African born fighter. He can’t make due with just another decision victory, no matter how simple Plessis makes it.

For “Stillknocks” he has a chance to grow his namebrand leading into a possible fight with Israel Adesanya. Being the guy to beat the second best guy in the division? Not only would it be a great name to add, but a great accomplishment too. And while this may prove tougher when they lock themselves in the cage Saturday night, it’s still a possibility that Dricus should prepare himself for.

Especially with the Gold merely one more fight away.

Moreno vs Pantoja

Ah, the trilogy. A classic matchmaking strategy that allows the fans an almost storytelling-like ending to a rivalry—or question.

Though in the case of the Baby-Faced Assassin, this is nothing new to him, as he comes back to face a familiar opponent after finishing one of the most entertaining quadrilogies in MMA history.

After finishing Figueriedo, Moreno looks to shut yet another book when he faces Pantoja this Saturday.

Pantoja, while an aging fighter in the ever-improving division of Flyweight, is not down and out yet. After finishing Royval and Perez, he is looking to use his unique grappling style to defeat the champion for a third time, and claim gold at the age of 33.

However, to see the improvements of Moreno and count him out would be almost mortifyingly dumb.

After being cut from the UFC due to his loss against Pantoja, Brandon showed his ever-evolving style as he racked up several wins leading to his first championship bout against Deiveson. After a draw, he would beat the current— at the time— champion by submission, only to lose his belt in the next fight.

However, that did not stop him, and after finishing Kai Kara-France with a brutal liver kick and grounded punches, he would defeat Deiveson a second time, earning back his belt and closing that chapter of his career.

Now is the chance, for both of them to show the results of their training and career.

Will Pantoja prove that he simply has Brandon’s number when it comes to the sport, or will Moreno prevail with his years of improvements that earned him gold two times?