Jon Anik: Don’t count out Yair Rodriguez against champ Volkanovski

Despite what the Vegas oddsmakers say, UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik is warning everyone not to count out Yair Rodriguez in his UFC 290 bout with Alexander Volkanovski for the undisputed UFC featherweight championship on July 8.

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie Radio, Anik stated that despite Volkanovski being the heavy betting favorite, Rodriguez is a tougher matchup than the sportsbooks are giving him credit for. 

“I just feel like he has a better chance than he is being given by the oddsmakers, by the sharps out there,” Anik said. “I know they’re just trying to draw two-way action, but Yair Rodriguez is one of one and a very uniquely hard guy to prepare for. A lot of people suggest that maybe Josh Emmett is a harder matchup for Alexander Volkanovski than Yair Rodriguez. I’m excited to see what Yair Rodriguez can do with the opportunity, and you can be sure he has Volkanovski’s attention.”

Volkanovski, the No. 2-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC and the No. 1-ranked featherweight in the world, has been as high as a -450 favorite, and he has 3/11 odds of winning, per OddsChecker.

Although he lost via unanimous decision to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev while fighting up a weight class in February—a fight many believe he actually won—Volkanovski had a 22-fight unbeaten streak dating back to December 2013.

Conversely, Rodriguez is coming off a second-round submission win over Josh Emmett in February that earned him Performance of the Night honors and also made him interim featherweight champion.