Breaking: Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez set for UFC 290 on July 8

It appears as though the featherweight title unification bout between Alexander Volkanovski and Yair Rodriguez are set to serve as one of the headliners for UFC 290 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 8.

MMA reporter Ariel Helwani reported the news of the bout being all but signed for the event. He also added that it remains unclear whether the bout will serve as the main event or co-main event as it will depend on whether the heavyweight championship bout between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic is finalized.

Helwani tweeted:

"Alex Volkanovski x Yair Rodriguez is scheduled for UFC 290 on July 8, per sources...Not signed yet but everyone is on board. Featherweight title unification bout. TBD on what will serve as the main event for that card just yet."

Volkanovski most recently moved up to challenge reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 284 in his home country of Australia. He was unsuccessful in his attempt at becoming a two-division champion, but it was a controversial decision as many felt that he should have been awarded the decision instead.

Despite talks of a rematch between the two champions, the reigning featherweight champion will return to 145lbs to fight the interim featherweight champion. Meanwhile, Rodriguez defeated Josh Emmett in impressive fashion at the same event, so both fighters will come into UFC 290 following the same layoff.

It is a big event for the promotion as it headlines their annual International Fight Week, which features a week of festivities and the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony.

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When did Alexander Volkanovski win the UFC featherweight championship?

Alexander Volkanovski has had an impressive featherweight title reign, which has spanned 4 years.

Following a 17-fight winning streak that included wins over the likes of Jeremy Kennedy, Chad Mendes, and former featherweight champion Jose Aldo, 'The Great' earned a title shot against then champion Max Holloway at UFC 245.

Alexander Volkanovski took full advantage of the opportunity as he earned a unanimous decision over 'Blessed' to become the new featherweight champion. He has since successfully retained the title on four occasions against Brian Ortega, Chan Sung-Jung, and twice against Holloway.