International fight week is back with UFC 290: Volkanovski vs Rodriguez, Live From T-Mobile Arena In Las Vegas, Nevada On July 8, 2023. The UFC 290 betting guide covers the main event of Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez and the co-main event of Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja.

Alexander Volkanovski (-410) vs. Yair Rodriguez (+310)

From the bettor’s perspective, it’s hard to ignore the value of Yair Rodriguez sitting at a 3-1 underdog. If I was solely predicting the UFC 290 main event, I’d pick Alexander Volkanovski. But picking and betting are two different worlds, my friends.

To date, Volkanovski has been finished once in his professional MMA career. Due to an on-slot of body and head kicks, back in 2013 when he was 3-0 as a professional. Now he’s up against one of the most dynamic strikers in the UFC, Yair Rodriguez.

Rodriguez is difficult to read, which adds to the dynamic striking approach. He’ll have you thinking one way and then completely flip his game plan. We saw that happen in the last rounds of Rodriguez vs. Holloway. 

Rodriguez is not getting enough respect in this main event. Chasing the value play here, placing my money on the 3-1 underdog. 

Bet: Yair Rodriguez

Brandon Moreno (-200) vs. Alexandre Pantoja (+170)

I’m sure it will be said ad nauseam during the broadcast and fight week, so I’ll touch on it quickly. Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja have already fought twice. Their first fight happened in 2016 on season 24 of the ultimate fighter. Pantoja won in the second round by rear naked choke. The second fight took place two years later, where Pantoja won again, which resulted in Moreno getting cut from the UFC.

Pantoja is up 2-0 in the series and has all the momentum in the world. So why isn’t he the betting favorite? 

Brandon Moreno’s game has drastically improved since 2018. Being cut from the UFC is possibly one of the best things to ever happen to him. It instilled a new mindset and work regimen that catapulted him to the top of the flyweight division.  

Pantoja will be fighting a completely different version of Moreno. With all that said, I believe it will be a much closer fight than the line suggests. Give me Moreno by decision. 

Bet: Brandon Moreno

Dan Hooker (+205) vs. Jalin Turner (-255)

Jalin Turner and Dan Hooker originally were scheduled to fight in March but Hooker broke his hand. I wish the UFC kept feeding Hooker tune-up fights. Jalin Turner is not the guy to fight if you are trying to get back on track.

Hooker is on a downward spiral, whereas Turner is firing on all cylinders. Short and sweet, Turner by KO/TKO in round 1. One of my most confident bets for UFC 290.

Bet: Jalin Turner