A star-studded UFC 290 fight card on Saturday will concludes with a pair of title bouts, highlighted by featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski making his fifth title defense in the main event against top-ranked challenger Yair Rodriguez. Their five-round battle anchors the main UFC 290 card starting at 10 p.m. ET from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Thus far in his reign as champion, Volkanovski has dominated against title-challengers, but Rodriguez, who is making his first title appearance, presents a new set of challenges. Rodriguez is a lethal striker who believes he will be the one to end Volkanovski's run as champion.
Volkanovski is a -400 favorite (risk $400 to win $100), while Rodriguez comes back at +310 in the latest UFC 290: Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez from Caesars Sportsbook. The co-main event features another title fight as flyweight king Brandon Moreno (-190) faces No. 2-ranked Alexandre Pantoja. Before making any UFC picks of your own for UFC 290: Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez, make sure you check out the MMA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani.
Vithlani is a highly analytical UFC bettor who profited more than $6,200 for $100 bettors in 2022. This includes a documented 24-14 record on his well-respected, two-leg parlays. Every pick was documented on his public Instagram account.
From breaking down film and following fighters and their camps closely, to tracking sharp action and betting market signals, Vithlani covers the breadth of the MMA betting landscape top to bottom. He also trains amateur boxers and speaks regularly with MMA fighters to understand the sport's nuances.
In his SportsLine debut for UFC 283 in January, Vithlani swept the main card and his MMA predictions included telling SportsLine members to back Jamahal Hill (-125) against Glover Teixeira (+105) for the vacant light heavyweight title in the main event. Anyone who has followed him has seen massive returns.
Now, with UFC 290: Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez on deck, Vithlani has scoured the UFC card from top to bottom and released his top selections. You can only see those picks at SportsLine.
UFC 290: Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez preview
In a relatively short span, Volkanovski (25-2) has emerged from a little-known contender to perhaps the division's most accomplished featherweight. He is ranked No. 2 behind only Jon Jones in the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings.
The 34-year-old Australian is a former professional rugby player who turned to mixed martial arts in large part to get in shape following his days on the pitch. Volkanovski has long maintained that he had little natural aptitude for mixed martial arts, but made his way through sheer determination and a relentless work ethic.
He is now known for his competence in just about every MMA discipline and endless cardio that he weaponizes in the cage. Volkanovski took control of the division with a memorable three-fight sweep of popular former champion Max Holloway. Two of his four title defenses have come against Holloway, including a dominant decision in their third matchup in July of last year.
Rodriguez (15-3-1) has long been hailed as a potential contender, but various injuries caused delays in his career trajectory and he fell out of public view on a couple of occasions. When healthy, the 30-year-old Mexican fighter has proven to be one of the game's most lethal and dynamic strikers.
Rodriguez dispatched former title contender Brian Ortega in the first round of their July 2022 fight before stopping the overmatched Emmett in the second round of their interim title fight. Many MMA observers believe Rodriguez poses the most legitimate threat to dethroning Volkanovski at featherweight. You can see who Vithlani is backing at SportsLine.
UFC 290 predictions
We'll share one of Vithlani's UFC 290 picks here: He is siding with Robert Whittaker (-400) to prevail against surging contender Dricus Du Plessis (+300) in a battle of middleweight contenders.
Whittaker (24-6) lost his belt and a subsequent rematch against current champion Israel Adesanya, but has otherwise dominated the rest of the division. He has won four of his past five and could possibly present a case for another title shot with an impressive performance.
Du Plessis (19-2) is a rugged straight-ahead brawler and former KSW champion who has no shortage of swagger and has long predicted a win Saturday followed by a long-coveted title shot against Adesanya. However, questions about his endurance and an inattention to defense have led my MMA observers to believe the prospect will get picked apart by the veteran Whittaker.
"Du Plessis has been the last man standing in multiple wars, showing off his iron chin and willingness to trade punches. This formula spells trouble against a precision striker like Whitaker, who can pick his shots and get in and out of the pocket," Vithlani told SportsLine.You can see more UFC 290 picks at SportsLine.
How to make UFC 290 picks
Vithlani also has strong picks for Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez and other bouts on the UFC 290 card. He's also backing a fighter who "can get it done with hard-nosed kickboxing or wrestling" to emerge with a dominant victory. Those picks are only available at SportsLine.
Who wins UFC 290: Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez, and how exactly does each fight end?Visit SportsLine now to get detailed picks on every fight at UFC 290, all from the MMA expert who profited more than $6,200 in 2022, and find out.
UFC 290 odds, fight card
See full UFC 290 picks, predictions, best bets here.
Alexander Volkanovski (-400) vs. Yair Rodriguez (+310)
Brandon Moreno (-190) vs. Alexandre Pantoja (+170)
Robert Whittaker (-400) vs. Dricus Du Plessis (+300)
Jalin Turner (-255) vs. Dan Hooker (+215)
Robbie Lawler (+220) vs. Niko Price (-260)
Jack Della Maddalena (-900) vs. Josiah Harrell (+600)
Yazmin Jauregui (-400) vs. Denise Gomes (+320)
Jimmy Crute (-120) Vs. Alonzo Menifield (+100)
Vitor Petrino (-280) vs. Marcin Prachnio (+235)
Cameron Saaiman (-500) vs. Terrence Mitchell (+370)
Shannon Ross (+125) vs. Jesus Santos Aguilar (-145)
Kamuela Kirk (+130) vs. Esteban Ribovics (-150)
