After Friday’s recent clashes, there was nothing left for Aleksandr Volkanovski and Yair Rodriguez to get into the octagon and fight.
Volkanovski and Rodriguez will headline Saturday’s UFC 290 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Their bout is the second of two for the title after the flyweight championship co-main event between Brandon Moreno and Alexander Pantoja.
The 145-pound and interim champion last faced off at the weigh-in ceremony on Friday before speaking to Joe Rogan. As they have done all week, the two men keep things very respectfully, but the hero promises to return the key when he closes the cage door.
“He was very respectful [on both sides]Volkanovsky told Rogan. “I gave him respect, said he was dangerous, but it all stops tomorrow. Tomorrow I’m going there, I’m going to crush her. And again baby. Let’s go.”
“Thank you, the Mexican fans,” Rodriguez said. “Not only are we helping to build the sport together, but we’re helping to change lives here. I have nothing to say about my opponent, everyone knows he’s great, and we’re going to do a great job tomorrow night. So hold on there. Thanks, [Alexander]once again. »
Both Moreno and Pantoja have a history where the challenger has two dominant wins against the champion.
Years later, none of the fighters remember their last confrontation. Instead, it’s all about Saturday night, with UFC gold on the line.
“My family and I made a lot of sacrifices for this moment,” Pantoja said. “Now it’s time to have fun, to have the best fight ever. I know it’s going to be a war.”
“I don’t even think about the past,” Moreno said. “I focused again on a long and amazing night for the Mexican fans, for all my people. Long live Mexico.”
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