In just 38 seconds on Saturday, Nickal (5-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) rocked and submitted Woodburn (7-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC). The UFC 290 main event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas got underway with a middleweight contest.
With a right hook, a left hook, a left hook, and an uppercut, Nickal shocked Woodburn before knocking the novice octagon fighter to the ground. Nickal only required one additional shot to spectacularly end the contest.
All five of Nickal’s victories as a professional have come in the opening round. Woodburn, who filled in with less than a week’s notice, lost for the first time in his career.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 290 results include:
Bo Nickal vs. Val Woodburn
Robbie Lawler def. Niko Price via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:38
Tatsuro Taira def. Edgar Chairez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Denise Gomes def. Yazmin Jauregui via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:20
Alonzo Menifield def. Jimmy Crute via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 1:55
Vitor Petrino def. Marcin Prachnio via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 3, 3:42
Cameron Saaiman def. Terrence Mitchell via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:10
Jesus Aguilar def. Shannon Ross via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:17
Esteban Ribovics def. Kamuela Kirk via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
In the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Yair Rodriguez, a hungry and dangerous striker, entered the octagon looking to make his interim title unchallenged, but Volkanovski (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC) wasn’t ready to give up the reign. Volkanovski made a statement in the main event of UFC 290 by defeating Rodriguez (16-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) via TKO at 4:19 of Round 3.
Volkanovski changed postures frequently as Rodriguez watched him during the initial feel-out phase. A head kick came out of nowhere and zipped by Volkanovski’s head. After briefly catching a kick to the body, Volkanovski completed a takedown and started attempting to hit punches from the top. Rodriguez made an unsuccessful attempt to climb to his feet. In the opening frame, Volkanovski spent a lot of time in top control while making a few significant strokes.