After all the dust has settled, UFC 290 may go down as one of the greatest fight cards the UFC has ever produced in its 30-year history.
In the main event, Alexander Volkanovski showed why he is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, as he dominated Yair Rodriguez en route to a third-round finish to retain the UFC featherweight championship.
In the co-main event, Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja fought in an all-out banger, tagging one another and busting each other open, as the two constantly traded and left everything inside the Octagon. Ultimately, however, Pantoja became the new champion of the UFC's 125-pound division with a split decision win.
The card had other highlights that included four sub-minute finishes (including Robbie Lawler knocking out Niko Price in Lawler's retirement fight), Dricus du Plessis locking up a middleweight title shot with a finish of Robert Whittaker and more.
UFC 290 summed up in GIFs and memes
Let the night's action begin!
#UFC290 pic.twitter.com/1XtqEP37Sa
— Furio (@FurioBets) July 8, 2023
100 likes & RTs & I'll drop my #UFC290 slate. God bless you all, enjoy these fights, hope its a wonderful evening for you & yours 🍀one bet at a time 👊🏼❤ #GamblingTwitter #MMATwitter #UFC pic.twitter.com/dIcowUt0wL
— Liam Picks Fights (@LiamPicksFights) July 8, 2023
Ladies and gentlemen…we are liiiiiive! #ufc290 pic.twitter.com/S0k0XAfU78
— David Hagan (@David31980) July 8, 2023
Ready #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/qVwvWqIpVv
— MiaⓋC 🐝🌱 (@Mia09195409) July 8, 2023
Kamuela Kirk vs. Esteban Ribovics
Watching the prelims
— Tony's student (@SerSuliman) July 8, 2023
#UFC290 pic.twitter.com/d5EEfDtiIi
Unanimous for Esteban Ribovics!
— UFC (@ufc) July 8, 2023
He gets back in the win column with the decision over Kamuela Kirk at #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/FgeA4rImwQ
#UFC290 starting off with a top tier fight 29-28 #Ribovics pic.twitter.com/SMLAYkUz6c
— Brett Troxel (@BrettTroxy) July 8, 2023
Shannon Ross vs. Jesús Santos Aguilar
Aguilar letting everyone know #UFC290 has begun! Ho-ly shit!!! pic.twitter.com/Dt0ixDGq5Z
— Fabian Gallegos (@fabianthe3rd) July 8, 2023
ONE PUNCH KNOCKOUT #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/42KgUNRUVk
— Teflon Don (Day 1211 of Quarantine)🇭🇹 (@franley12) July 8, 2023
These two first fights. Holy crap… #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/7MXLF0nSY7
— Drew Collins (@drew_collins11) July 8, 2023
What a start to this cardddd #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/SSD4z3ZlWx
— Andy Dawson (@A_Dawsonn) July 8, 2023
Cameron Saaiman vs. Terrence Mitchell
#UFC290
— Muslim nurse |🇺🇸 Bo Nickal & 🇿🇦Du Plessis inc. (@Nurse4Islam) July 8, 2023
my African homies cheering for our heroes! pic.twitter.com/Um5LmOEWTF
#ufc290 the real African 🇿🇦💯 pic.twitter.com/8LxEFiFGq0
— ابن ادم (@att_36) July 8, 2023
@Cameron_Saaiman had to win. Because of the implication #ufc290 pic.twitter.com/OgRx4EYh80
— jonathan lind (@drjonlind) July 8, 2023
Vitor Petrino vs. Marcin Prachnio
We are getting Alex Pereira vs Jan Blachowicz a little earlier than expected #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/pYWdo9xNxP
— Colby Covingtongomedov🐐 (@ColbyCardio) July 8, 2023
Jimmy Crute vs. Alonzo Menifield
Crute dubs #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/1uXX0UBvX2
— American Top-Team Morgan🇲🇽🇭🇳🚀 (@theelaphantman) July 9, 2023
ALONZO MENIFIELD WARMING UP #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/faqnIXN9ad
— Whats Trending (@trendingallery) July 9, 2023
Alonzo Menifield be like #ufc290 pic.twitter.com/dsTFj4jDok
— Sir Ankle Pick (@SirAnklePick) July 9, 2023
Yazmin Jauregui vs. Denise Gomes
Yazmin Jauregui to everyone’s parlays #UFC290 ❌ https://t.co/LzFyJ9ts9g pic.twitter.com/TXubVpNq26
— Krispen Wah (@SirSnaxAlot5015) July 9, 2023
That Jauregui vs Denise Gomes fight sumned up #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/CYdiaW1cjp
— Dakota/The Lone Wolf 🐺 (@DaLoneWolf97) July 9, 2023
Denise Gomes #UFC290
— Jonathan Cisowski (@cisow77) July 9, 2023
👀 19 seconds for the W 💪 pic.twitter.com/7W1ZntThaa
Gomes said to Juaregui’s “0”: #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/w7KEqFMM3i
— MacMally 🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) July 9, 2023
Tatsuro Taira vs. Edgar Cháirez
Chairez being warned for toes in the cage multiple times #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/xanZVFqQCN
— Martin (@_MDS94) July 9, 2023
Chairez ignoring Herb Dean with his toes in the fence #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/jw2br90xvN
— FCwithChris (@DevilsAdMMA) July 9, 2023
#UFC290
— WyL0n_Däłśh (@mandmythdlegend) July 9, 2023
Herb Dean: keep your toes outta the cage
Chairez continues to do it
Herb dean: pic.twitter.com/TiqpiS2Zhj
casinos after Taira fight goes the distance #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/HP8axZkjM6
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) July 9, 2023
Robbie Lawler vs. Niko Price
ROBBIE LAWLER WITH THE FIRST ROUND KO FAIRY TALE ENDING TO HIS CAREER #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/h6orwJv8Wn
— Conner Burks (@connerburks) July 9, 2023
WOW! Fucking storybook ending for Ruthless Robbie Lawler 😤😤😤🔥 #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/Wg8TQnUh9M
— OhSoJiggy♐🇧🇿🤧 (@JiggyJD) July 9, 2023
MMA fans watching Robbie Lawler walk to the octagon to do violence for the final time: #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/AsODyNgURY
— MacMally 🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) July 9, 2023
Robbie Lawler going out with a walk off KO and not on his back LETS GOO!! #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/Omnsagdyiq
— Martin (@_MDS94) July 9, 2023
Me watching Robbie Lawler watching his career highlights in the octagon ♥️💪 #ruthless #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/4zxZIfv68L
— Robbie Q (@Robbie_Q) July 9, 2023
Robbie Lawler getting a round 1 walk-off knockout on the last fight of his career #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/bITHroGn88
— Squid Vicious MMA (@SquidViciousMMA) July 9, 2023
Robbie Lawler retiring like: #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/JYPBpLaOvK
— MacMally 🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) July 9, 2023
the two stages of watching Robbie Lawler retirement walkoff KO: #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/UcjgzHGBEl
— MacMally 🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) July 9, 2023
Robbie Lawler. A fighters fighter. So glad he went out like that. The right way. Absolutely no damage while looking sharp. I don’t even need the PPV to be honest, as a 20 year MMA fan that was enough for me. Seeing the good guys win.#UFC #UFC290 #RobbieLawler #MMATwitter pic.twitter.com/WZMWs3ew7b
— Bopper (@TheDiddyBop) July 9, 2023
A shot for Robbie Lawler to hang in the house #UFC290 https://t.co/3oc1cJNzpD pic.twitter.com/u9Jwf58v1N
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) July 9, 2023
Robbie Lawler going out on a 1st round KO #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/k5iNtR8RPB
— Prodigy MMA (@Prodigy_MMA_) July 9, 2023
There was an event called UFC 37.5 that basically existed just to provide some content for The Best Damn Sports Show Period. FSN aired a fight featuring a young Robbie Lawler. That's what got me hooked on MMA.
— Justin Ivey (@JustinIvey_) July 9, 2023
Thanks for making me a fan @Ruthless_RL. #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/QX35mq5kGz
Bo Nickal vs. Val Woodburn
Bo Nickal after eating a massive haymaker and it not doing shit: #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/a7xGQ008dg
— MacMally 🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) July 9, 2023
Bo said #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/098AwuSAlV
— Vinny Talks ERA (@vinnytalks_) July 9, 2023
Everyone not believing that Bo Nickal has hands now lol #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/u1hu2jNAzY
— Jason Williams (@jasoneg33) July 9, 2023
Bo Nickal has elite striking too???? #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/6mt8itkNHN
— sol 🇦🇺 (@thaboysol) July 9, 2023
WHO NEXT FOR BO NICKAL? 😳 #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/w0SAs9vUWv
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 9, 2023
Jalin Turner vs. Dan Hooker
New Mythical Fighter unlocked: Blonde Hooker #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/cmK2M9Yfho
— DramaticDegen (@TJDarroch) July 9, 2023
Dan Hooker: *Dyes his hair like Charles Oliveira*
— MacMally 🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) July 9, 2023
Dan Hooker fighting Jalin Turner: #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/mP3Isvni89
Hooker deserves to win this shit man. #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/X2bV0Bp13t
— Ewnista (@gurnta) July 9, 2023
What a great fight #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/xRy3eshqel
— StephenBradleyII🥋🦍 (@Burnside2136) July 9, 2023
Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus du Plessis -- UFC middleweight title eliminator
Bobby knuckles tn #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/25JKjVv9jv
— Jayden Chen (@flaccid_whale) July 9, 2023
Dricus going to prove who’s the real African #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/7NlekMxKdR
— Bro_dy (@bro_dy123) July 9, 2023
DuPlessis #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/mAhWsWHRU4
— Lasse 🦉 (@RaiinoX) July 9, 2023
Dricus du Plessis staring back at Israel Adesanya: #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/30izUWm2cW
— MacMally 🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) July 9, 2023
Izzy watching Du Plessis beat Robert Whittaker #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/hUJs662Xey
— E&T SPORTS WORLD👽🪐✨ (@Runupthescore0) July 9, 2023
Du Plessis actually won… #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/mNYmV62a2E
— Haroon (@haroon2504) July 9, 2023
Izzy to Du Plessis #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/1lZkAOhcnD
— ¿ (@RRandyBobandy) July 9, 2023
Du Plessis in his title fight #UFC290 https://t.co/jeDzNJrRJf pic.twitter.com/IdMlPlkF7h
— Ross B 🇬🇧 (@RossBordon98) July 9, 2023
(c) Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja -- UFC flyweight championship
Brandon Moreno fans seeing Alexandre Pantoja walk out to Many Men #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/6CU3HfBk3T
— Jason Williams (@jasoneg33) July 9, 2023
Moreno vs. Pantoja got us like #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/Yn8fPGc79I
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 9, 2023
Todos después de la tremenda pelea entre Brandon Moreno y Alexandre Pantoja en #UFC290 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/HES4S61yGc
— Jonny Aldahir Muñoz (@MunozAldahir) July 9, 2023
Moreno/Pantoja was an amazing fight!#UFC290 pic.twitter.com/xxZ01SWm07
— Consensus Score (@ConsensusScore) July 9, 2023
“ANDDD NEWWWW”
— MacMally 🍀 (@MacMallyMMA) July 9, 2023
Me:
#UFC290 pic.twitter.com/6cmd6Ahqt1
(c) Alexander Volkanovski vs. (ic) Yair Rodriguez -- To unify the UFC featherweight championship
And after all that we still got Volk vs Yair…lord have mercy idk if I can take anymore violence #ufc290 pic.twitter.com/Ne3XaTvKb3
— Noah Baker (@NoahBakerMMA) July 9, 2023
We still have Volk and Yair left #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/shn5wYqhyG
— Jason Williams (@jasoneg33) July 9, 2023
A bit of Islam rubbed off on Volk! He gonna wrestlef*ck Yair tonight #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/nmUyDMCAH5
— mma_medlife (@MedlifeMma) July 9, 2023
Volk must have watched that Edgar-Yair tape. He’s absolutely mauling him. #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/XKjFczYtos
— Hamez (@HamezMMA) July 9, 2023
#UFC290
— 🦂Money 🦧 (@perhapsmoneyy) July 9, 2023
Volk: *BREATHES*
Yair: pic.twitter.com/6uhbivuNKf
Yair landed a good, solid combination and Volk just did this and finished him #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/yYYN0U65Wr
— gianni (@therealzorex) July 9, 2023
UFC 290 takes place on Saturday, July 8, from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. Follow along with FanSided MMA, who is on site, for all your live news and highlights.