Alexander Volkanovski secures pound-for-pound top spot

Alexander Volkanovski emerged victorious at UFC 290, solidifying his position as one of the best fighters in the world.

Alexander Volkanovski in a file photo [Image Credit: Instagram@alexvolkanovski]
By Mohit | Jul 12, 2023 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Alexander Volkanovski emerged victorious at UFC 290, solidifying his position as one of the best fighters in the world. This event was held during International Fight Week. Volkanovski showcased his exceptional talent as he unified the featherweight titles against Yair Rodríguez, the interim champion. With a series of ground strikes in the third round, Volkanovski secured his fifth successful title defense. He left no doubt about his dominance in the division.

The win was a significant rebound for Volkanovski after his previous loss to Islam Makhachev, the undisputed lightweight champion. The defeat came in February, during a title challenge in Perth, Australia, and it was a tough setback for Volkanvoski. However, with his recent victory over Rodríguez, Volkanovski proved that he is back in top form and ready to reclaim his status as one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the promotion.

Alexander Volkanovski secures pound-for-pound top spot

Volkanovski now shares the number one spot in the pound-for-pound rankings with none other than Jon Jones, the reigning heavyweight champion. This achievement is a testament to Volkanovski’s exceptional skills and his ability to consistently deliver impressive performances inside the Octagon.

But Volkanovski was not the only fighter making waves in the rankings. Alexandre Pantoja, who co-headlined the event also made a huge jump in the pound-for-pound rankings at number nine. Pantoja secured the undisputed flyweight gold in a closely contested split decision victory over Brandon Moreno. This solidified his place among the top fighters in his weight class.

There was a significant shift in the middleweight division as Dricus du Plessis rose to become the official number-one contender. Du Plessis showcased his power and skill with a devastating second-round TKO win over his opponent, Robert Whittaker. This impressive performance earned him the opportunity to face champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 in September, marking an important moment in his career.

Another fighter who made a noteworthy comeback was Dan Hooker. After a series of challenging bouts, Hooker returned to the lightweight division’s top 10 rankings with a hard-fought decision win over Jalin Turner. The thrilling showdown between the two fighters captivated fans. Hooker’s victory marked a significant milestone in his career.

Alexander Volkanovski’s success at UFC 290 and his rise to the number one pound-for-pound spot is a testament to his skill, dedication, and unwavering determination. His ability to bounce back from setbacks and deliver exceptional performances solidifies his place among the sport’s elite fighters.

For more UFC news and updates

Read: UFC on ESPN 47 Strickland vs Magomedov Set to Ignite in Las Vegas

Read: UFC 290 Yair Rodriguez vs Alexander Volkanovski

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