Career Averages - Yair Rodríguez
Career Averages - Patrício Pitbull
Yair Rodríguez
Patrício Pitbull
Yair Rodríguez - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 1 | 70 of 122 | 57% | 97 of 157 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:43 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 17 of 50 | 34% | 23 of 60 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 1:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 26 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 21 of 45 | 46% | 25 of 52 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 8 of 26 | 30% | 8 of 26 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 | |
| 3 | Yair Rodríguez | 1 | 38 of 56 | 67% | 46 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:41 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 5 of 14 | 35% | 10 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 70 of 122 | 57% | 38 of 82 | 18 of 23 | 14 of 17 | 43 of 89 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 31 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 17 of 50 | 34% | 8 of 38 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 8 | 17 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 11 of 21 | 52% | 3 of 10 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 6 | 10 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 4 of 10 | 40% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 21 of 45 | 46% | 8 of 28 | 6 of 9 | 7 of 8 | 20 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 8 of 26 | 30% | 5 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Yair Rodríguez | 38 of 56 | 67% | 27 of 44 | 8 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 25 of 31 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 5 of 14 | 35% | 3 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Connor picks Rodríguez, echoing Zane's reasoning about Pitbull's vulnerability to aggressive strikers. He notes that Pitbull has struggled against fighters who pressure him early and that Rodríguez's length and kicking game pose unique problems. Connor acknowledges Pitbull's experience and ability to adjust between fights but believes Rodríguez's style is a bad matchup for the current version of Pitbull.
Daniel Levi states that Yair Rodríguez schooled Patrício Pitbull, being much faster and more dynamic, and was a couple steps ahead all night. He notes that Pitbull looked shopworn and didn't shine in the big moment.
Lucrative James picks Patrício Pitbull to win, citing his experience, grappling advantage, and power. He believes Pitbull's wrestling and top control will be key, and he expects him to submit or ground-and-pound Rodríguez. He acknowledges Rodríguez's flashy kicks and danger but thinks Pitbull's cerebral style and veteran savvy will prevail. He notes that Pitbull is 37 and may be past his prime, but he still sees him as the better fighter overall. He also thinks the UFC is setting Pitbull up for a win to inject new blood into the division.
Zane picks Rodríguez, citing Pitbull's history of losing to aggressive, high-output fighters who take the initiative early. He notes that Pitbull has become a patient counter-puncher, which plays into Rodríguez's strengths as a long-range striker with dynamic kicks. Zane points to Pitbull's recent loss to Chihiro Suzuki as evidence that he can be overwhelmed by a powerful, wild striker. He acknowledges Pitbull's grappling and experience but believes Rodríguez's reach and willingness to attack from distance will be decisive.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Ortega | 1 | 55 of 115 | 47% | 64 of 135 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:32 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 28 of 73 | 38% | 47 of 104 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 5:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Ortega | 1 | 45 of 91 | 49% | 50 of 102 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:32 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 6 of 28 | 21% | 7 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 | |
| 2 | Brian Ortega | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 13 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 22 of 44 | 50% | 39 of 70 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:55 | |
| 3 | Brian Ortega | 0 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:44 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Ortega | 55 of 115 | 47% | 36 of 91 | 11 of 15 | 8 of 9 | 34 of 86 | 9 of 12 | 12 of 17 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 28 of 73 | 38% | 26 of 69 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 50 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Ortega | 45 of 91 | 49% | 28 of 69 | 10 of 14 | 7 of 8 | 24 of 62 | 9 of 12 | 12 of 17 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 6 of 28 | 21% | 5 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brian Ortega | 9 of 17 | 52% | 7 of 15 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 22 of 44 | 50% | 21 of 41 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 13 of 20 | |
| 3 | Brian Ortega | 1 of 7 | 14% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Ortega with low confidence, citing the first fight where Ortega was winning before his shoulder injury. He notes the elevation and crowd in Mexico could favor Rodriguez, but trusts his brain over his gut. He worries about Ortega's long layoff but believes he can squeak out a win.
Big Brady picks Yair Rodríguez to win by third-round knockout. He notes that Rodríguez has been more active and looked impressive against Josh Emmett, while Ortega has had a long layoff. He believes Rodríguez has the advantage on the feet with his kicks and power, and that Ortega is hittable. He doubts Ortega's wrestling will be effective, as Rodríguez stuffed takedowns in their first fight. He expects Rodríguez to dominate at range and eventually finish Ortega.
Cody picks Ortega, noting that in their first fight Ortega was winning before the shoulder injury. He believes Ortega's skills haven't digressed, his jiu-jitsu is second to none, and his wrestling is good enough to take down Rodriguez. He also mentions Ortega's ability to come back better after layoffs, as he did after the Holloway loss. He considers the plus 130 price good value.
The host recalls the first fight where Rodríguez kept Ortega at bay with striking and Ortega's only success was a clinch takedown that led to an injury. He believes Rodríguez needs to keep the fight standing, and even if it goes to the ground, Rodríguez has worked on his jiu-jitsu to defend and get back to his feet. He predicts Rodríguez will finish Ortega by the third round.
Paul is leaning towards Ortega but is hesitant due to the year-and-a-half layoff, Ortega's age (33), and his recent record (lost last two, hasn't finished in six years). However, he acknowledges Ortega matched up well in the first fight and has the skills to win. He says if he had a gun to his head he'd pick Ortega, but it's a wild card pick.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 66 of 97 | 68% | 149 of 198 | 7 of 12 | 58% | 0 | 0 | 7:13 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 40 of 80 | 50% | 57 of 103 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 11 of 15 | 73% | 49 of 58 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 3:22 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 10 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 18 of 25 | 72% | 55 of 75 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:33 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 12 of 19 | 63% | 24 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Alexander Volkanovski | 0 | 37 of 57 | 64% | 45 of 65 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 23 of 52 | 44% | 23 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Volkanovski | 66 of 97 | 68% | 48 of 69 | 4 of 5 | 14 of 23 | 25 of 45 | 4 of 6 | 37 of 46 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 40 of 80 | 50% | 13 of 49 | 11 of 14 | 16 of 17 | 38 of 77 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Volkanovski | 11 of 15 | 73% | 9 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 11 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 5 of 9 | 55% | 1 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Alexander Volkanovski | 18 of 25 | 72% | 15 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 14 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 12 of 19 | 63% | 4 of 10 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | |
| 3 | Alexander Volkanovski | 37 of 57 | 64% | 24 of 39 | 3 of 4 | 10 of 14 | 19 of 31 | 3 of 5 | 15 of 21 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 23 of 52 | 44% | 8 of 35 | 5 of 7 | 10 of 10 | 23 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo is confident in Volkanovski, calling the -400 odds appropriate. He highlights Volkanovski's speed, kick usage, takedowns, and strength, and notes his performance against Islam Makhachev. He thinks Volkanovski will control the pace, mix in takedowns, and keep Rodríguez on the back foot, preventing his wild striking. He acknowledges Rodríguez's danger but believes Volkanovski is on another level.
Big Brady picks Alexander Volkanovski to win by late stoppage (fourth round). He notes that Volkanovski is the better striker with more volume and better defense, and he has a huge advantage in wrestling and ground and pound. He points out that Rodríguez has poor takedown defense and no answers off his back, as seen in fights against Frankie Edgar, Jeremy Stephens, Max Holloway, and Josh Emmett. He believes Volkanovski will take Rodríguez down, beat him up, and get a doctor stoppage or TKO in the later rounds.
Cody picks Volkanovski to retain, citing his durability, cardio, and submission defense. He notes Yair's danger with unorthodox strikes but believes Volk's constant pressure and takedowns will be decisive. He mentions Volk's training with Blood Diamond to mimic Yair's style. He leans toward Volk by decision but wouldn't be surprised by a stoppage.
Connor picks Volkanovski, emphasizing his championship quality and preparation. He acknowledges Yair's danger, especially his kicking game and durability, but believes Volkanovski's pressure and wrestling will be decisive. Connor notes that Volkanovski's ability to take Yair down and control him on the ground is the path to victory.
Daniel Levi picks Volkanovski, citing his elite fainting game, ability to out-jab taller opponents, and superior boxing in close range. He notes Volkanovski's takedown of Islam Makhachev as evidence of his wrestling prowess, which he believes will be a key advantage against Yair's suspect takedown defense. Levi acknowledges Yair's unique kicking arsenal and the head-kick KO history of Volkanovski, but expects Volkanovski's pressure and cardio to take over as the fight progresses. He also mentions that Yair's energy-intensive style may lead to a slowdown in later rounds.
James picks Volkanovski to win by ground-and-pound, likely in rounds 3 or 4. He believes Volkanovski's superior fight IQ and grappling advantage will be decisive. He notes Rodríguez has clear deficiencies on the ground and Volkanovski has heavy ground-and-pound. He also mentions the weight cut factor for Volkanovski moving back down, but still favors him. He does not advocate betting the moneyline at -400, but likes the inside distance prop.
Volkanovski is the more polished and disciplined fighter with excellent striking defense, movement, and wrestling. Rodriguez has flashy striking and an active guard, but has been broken before. Volkanovski will close distance, land takedowns, and control the fight, likely winning by decision. He is a safe parlay piece.
Paul agrees with Cody, stating it's tough to go against Volk at 145. He highlights Volk's ability to win on volume or by mixing in wrestling, and his proven submission defense. He mentions Volk's training with Blood Diamond to mimic Yair. He says he'll likely include Volk in parlays but won't place a serious wager.
The MMA Guru picks Alexander Volkanovski to win by fourth-round TKO. He acknowledges Rodríguez's dangerous striking but doubts his finishing ability, calling his ground and pound pathetic. He believes Volkanovski's leg kicks and pressure will disrupt Rodríguez's flow, and that Volkanovski's top game in later rounds will be decisive. He notes that Holloway already handled Rodríguez on the ground.
Zane picks Volkanovski, citing his pressure wrestling and ability to exploit Yair's defensive flaws. He notes that Volkanovski's wrestling will be key to neutralizing Yair's kicking game and that Yair's stamina flags under grappling pressure. Zane expects Volkanovski to take Yair down and grind him out, possibly with a late TKO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 62 of 107 | 57% | 98 of 143 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Josh Emmett | 0 | 22 of 52 | 42% | 35 of 72 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 3:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 26 of 53 | 49% | 32 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Josh Emmett | 0 | 12 of 26 | 46% | 18 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:27 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 36 of 54 | 66% | 66 of 84 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Josh Emmett | 0 | 10 of 26 | 38% | 17 of 34 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:34 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 62 of 107 | 57% | 36 of 76 | 18 of 22 | 8 of 9 | 47 of 87 | 7 of 9 | 8 of 11 |
| Josh Emmett | 22 of 52 | 42% | 17 of 44 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 8 of 10 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 26 of 53 | 49% | 14 of 39 | 7 of 9 | 5 of 5 | 21 of 44 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 7 |
| Josh Emmett | 12 of 26 | 46% | 10 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 9 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 36 of 54 | 66% | 22 of 37 | 11 of 13 | 3 of 4 | 26 of 43 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 4 |
| Josh Emmett | 10 of 26 | 38% | 7 of 20 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Josh Emmett, citing his power and wrestling base, though he notes Emmett doesn't use his wrestling often. He believes Emmett's power will be the difference, especially if he can stay close and grind. He acknowledges Yair's creativity and athleticism but thinks Emmett's power and pressure will win. He has a half-unit bet on Emmett at +135.
Big Brady thinks this is a close fight and picks Emmett for the upset. He notes Emmett's power and volume, and thinks Emmett will have the bigger moments. He expects a decision win for Emmett, similar to the Kattar fight, and says the line should be closer.
Cody picks Rodríguez but is not confident due to Rodríguez's inconsistency. He notes Rodríguez looked great against Max Holloway with improved cardio and kicking volume, but Emmett has power and wrestling he doesn't use offensively. He thinks Emmett's path is a big shot, but Rodríguez's chin and volume should edge him out. He finds the -175 line unappealing and won't bet it.
Connor picks Rodríguez, citing his diverse kicking game and durability as key factors. He notes that Emmett's style is one-dimensional and that Rodríguez can attack from range with kicks, which Emmett struggles to check. Connor also mentions that Emmett's wrestling is not a reliable threat, as he rarely uses it. He believes Rodríguez's toughness and ability to absorb punches will allow him to outwork Emmett over three rounds.
Emmett's power punching and forward pressure will be too much for Rodríguez as the fight goes on. Rodríguez slows down in later rounds, as seen against Jeremy Stephens. Emmett has great cardio and defensive wrestling to keep it standing. He will close the distance and land big combinations, likely finishing in the fourth or fifth round. Rodríguez's unorthodox striking may be competitive early, but Emmett's durability and pressure will take over.
Paul slightly favors Rodríguez on volume, noting Emmett has a power advantage but Rodríguez has better durability. He expects a close competitive fight and thinks the line is accurate, so he won't bet it.
The MMA Guru picks Yair Rodríguez over Josh Emmett, citing Emmett's controversial wins and Rodríguez's improved performance against Ortega. He predicts a front kick KO in the first round, noting Rodríguez's chin and Emmett's tendency to get hit. He believes Rodríguez is on a higher level than Emmett.
Zane also picks Rodríguez, emphasizing his improved composure and durability. He notes that Emmett's power is a threat, but Rodríguez has never been knocked out and can take shots. Zane highlights that Rodríguez's kicks will be a major problem for Emmett, who has shown vulnerability to low kicks. He also points out that Emmett's wrestling is not a consistent factor, and Rodríguez's range management will frustrate him.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 22 of 35 | 62% | 26 of 39 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 2:24 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 23 of 46 | 50% | 48 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 22 of 35 | 62% | 26 of 39 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 2:24 |
| Brian Ortega | 0 | 23 of 46 | 50% | 48 of 76 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 22 of 35 | 62% | 18 of 30 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 15 of 27 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 23 of 46 | 50% | 18 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 | 21 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 22 of 35 | 62% | 18 of 30 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 15 of 27 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Brian Ortega | 23 of 46 | 50% | 18 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 5 | 21 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Angelo picks Yair Rodríguez, citing his dynamic striking and unpredictability. He believes Ortega's poor takedown accuracy (24%) will prevent him from getting the fight to the ground, and that Rodríguez's striking will be too much. He notes Rodríguez looked great against Max Holloway despite the loss, and that he won't have ring rust this time. He placed a small moneyline bet at +137.
Big Brady picks Brian Ortega to win by submission in the second or third round. He notes that Ortega has improved his wrestling significantly, attempting many takedowns in recent fights against top competition like Holloway, Korean Zombie, and Volkanovski. He believes Ortega can take down Rodriguez, who has been taken down frequently in the past, and once on the ground, Ortega's submission game is elite. He acknowledges Rodriguez is the better striker but thinks Ortega's path to victory is through grappling.
Cody argues that Yair Rodríguez's ground game and wrestling are exploitable, as seen in fights against Frankie Edgar and Jeremy Stephens where he was taken down easily. He notes that Brian Ortega has improved his wrestling, taking down elite fighters like Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. Cody believes Ortega will capitalize on Rodríguez's tendency to fall off-balance and secure a submission or dominant ground control.
Daniel Levi picks Yair Rodríguez to win as an underdog, emphasizing that Yair must keep the fight standing and avoid reckless spinning attacks that could lead to takedowns. He notes that Ortega is dangerous on the ground with submissions and has a history of comeback finishes, but believes Yair's discipline and striking can earn a decision. Levi mentions he will likely bet Yair at +155, viewing it as a dog-or-pass situation due to high variance.
Paul agrees with Cody that Ortega is the rightful favorite, citing Yair's overrated win over Korean Zombie where he was seconds from losing. He emphasizes that Ortega's takedowns and submission threat will be decisive, and notes the line moving from -150 to -180. Paul suggests under 4.5 rounds and Ortega by submission as prop bets.
The MMA Guru picks Brian Ortega over Yair Rodríguez, citing Ortega's superior jiu-jitsu and ability to capitalize on Rodríguez's defensive habits. He notes that Rodríguez dips his head when pressured, which could lead to a guillotine choke. He also mentions Ortega's improved footwork and takedowns, and believes Rodríguez's power is overrated. He predicts a third-round submission win for Ortega.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 0 | 230 of 404 | 56% | 251 of 434 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 0 | 6:49 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 159 of 352 | 45% | 186 of 383 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 1 | 1:20 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 0 | 38 of 57 | 66% | 42 of 62 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 37 of 79 | 46% | 38 of 80 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 0 | 58 of 110 | 52% | 59 of 111 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:25 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 42 of 84 | 50% | 43 of 85 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 0 | 38 of 66 | 57% | 46 of 81 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:04 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 20 of 47 | 42% | 20 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 0 | 43 of 77 | 55% | 49 of 84 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:06 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 24 of 64 | 37% | 28 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 0 | 53 of 94 | 56% | 55 of 96 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:00 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 36 of 78 | 46% | 57 of 99 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Holloway | 230 of 404 | 56% | 129 of 278 | 66 of 83 | 35 of 43 | 187 of 347 | 22 of 24 | 21 of 33 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 159 of 352 | 45% | 78 of 247 | 24 of 41 | 57 of 64 | 152 of 343 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Holloway | 38 of 57 | 66% | 16 of 30 | 8 of 9 | 14 of 18 | 38 of 57 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 37 of 79 | 46% | 12 of 43 | 7 of 13 | 18 of 23 | 35 of 75 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | |
| 2 | Max Holloway | 58 of 110 | 52% | 29 of 69 | 23 of 34 | 6 of 7 | 56 of 107 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 42 of 84 | 50% | 15 of 54 | 5 of 7 | 22 of 23 | 41 of 83 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Max Holloway | 38 of 66 | 57% | 25 of 53 | 11 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 40 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 22 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 20 of 47 | 42% | 13 of 38 | 2 of 4 | 5 of 5 | 19 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Max Holloway | 43 of 77 | 55% | 22 of 52 | 13 of 16 | 8 of 9 | 33 of 65 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 7 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 24 of 64 | 37% | 17 of 53 | 3 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 24 of 64 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Max Holloway | 53 of 94 | 56% | 37 of 74 | 11 of 13 | 5 of 7 | 40 of 78 | 12 of 13 | 1 of 3 |
| Yair Rodríguez | 36 of 78 | 46% | 21 of 59 | 7 of 11 | 8 of 8 | 33 of 75 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The battle everyone has been waiting for is now here, in the main event of UFC Fight Night 197. Featherweight contenders will toe the line in the marquee attraction, as former champion Holloway (22-6, 18-6 UFC) comes to blows with TUF Latin America 1 victor “El Pantera” Rodriguez (13-2, 1 NC; 8-1, 1 NC UFC). Bracing himself is referee Marc Goddard, who might have a lot of work to do between this all-action 145-pound tilt. They show ample respect when they touch gloves, but the subsequent strikes that will follow will be not nearly as sporting. Holloway walks Rodriguez down and throws a kick to the knee, and Rodriguez counters with one right back. They come together and land right hands, and Rodriguez quickly kicks Holloway in the face. A left hand from Holloway pushes Rodriguez down to the ground, and Rodriguez hits the ground and fires off an upkick. Holloway nods at him and lets Rodriguez back up so they can throw hands. Rodriguez continues to land kicks from afar, and he sits down on a pair of hooks. Holloway stings his man with a right hand, and he hops out of the way when Rodriguez kicks the leg. Holloway attacks the body, and Rodriguez swings wildly but comes up short. A left to the body, and then a left to the head, lands for Holloway, and Rodriguez stands right in front of him and throws right back at him. They are throwing with bad intentions, and landing cleanly while Holloway has his hands down by his waist. Rodriguez throws up high and kicks to the body, and one low makes Holloway turn around. Rodriguez scores, Holloway follows, and Rodriguez answers with a three-punch combo. Holloway kicks the leg, and then stomps down on the knee. Rodriguez shows no concern and pounds the body with a kick, and he falls over but springs back up when Holloway lets him back up. Rodriguez targets the leg with impunity, chopping at the former champ’s calf repeatedly. Rodriguez scores a one-two and a calf kick, and he winds up and cracks Holloway. Holloway nods and slings right back, and now it is Rodriguez who is hurt as he appreciates the blow. The right hand from Holloway opened a cut under Rodriguez’ eye, and he attacks the same spot a few more times. Rodriguez is not concerned one iota, and he swings back and spins with a kick. Holloway tries to counter with his own kick, and Holloway misses and is grabbed from behind. Rodriguez takes standing back control but cannot force Holloway any further down than his knees, and Holloway walks his way back up. Holloway is able to break the grip to turn around, and Rodriguez grabs a single and tries to lift Holloway off his feet. Holloway makes Rodriguez pay with a few punches, and Rodriguez replies with a kick that makes him fall to his back. In the ensuing melee, a kick from Holloway might have landed on the cup, and he dodges the upkicks to drop down in the Mexican’s guard and elbow him in the side. The close round ends in this position.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Round 2
Rodriguez begins the second frame with a few leg kicks, and one opens up Holloway to get kicked in the face. The Hawaiian practically ignores it and walks his way forward to land punches. Rodriguez preemptively counters him with a few right hands, and he sticks out a couple of jabs while Holloway targets the body. Rodriguez sits down on a right hook, and it does not even register on Holloway. Holloway knocks his man back to the wall with punches, and he gives chase when Rodriguez retreats but does not fall into a trap. Rodriguez gives a tell that he might be trying to set up his no-look elbow that he smashed “The Korean Zombie” with, and Holloway sees it and instead kicks from afar with the ball of his foot. Rodriguez scores a couple low kicks, and Holloway throws up top and may have surprised Rodriguez. Rodriguez slams his shin into the body and forearms of his opponent a few times, and Holloway’s body is welted up but he is no worse for wear. Holloway takes a few calf kicks on the way in, and targets both legs with these strikes as Holloway tries to find his way forward. Rodriguez continues to blast the calf, and Holloway does not even register as he marches forward like a Hawaiian Terminator to slug it out with Rodriguez. Holloway’s leg may be swelling, and he changes stances when they both start trading punches. “El Pantera” does not stop kicking Holloway’s lead leg, and they are doing damage and adding up fast. Rodriguez gets backed up to the wall and drills Holloway with an elbow, but the former champ keeps the pressure on him and lands a few punches. They trade punches up top, and Rodriguez circles out and just avoids a head kick. Rodriguez pounds his shin into Holloway’s calf, and he dances out of the way when Holloway tries to land on him. Holloway gets off a punch to the body, and a jump knee that follows and lands to the solar plexus may have hurt the Mexican contender. Rodriguez swings and misses with an up-elbow, and Holloway kicks his leg out beneath him. When Holloway dives down into the guard, Rodriguez throws his legs up for an armbar, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 3
The featherweights meet in the middle and start trading, and Holloway walks his man down and kicks him in the side. “Blessed” ducks a punch, slips another, and lands a right hand over the top. Holloway gets off a right hand, fakes a takedown entry and jumps in the air to blast Rodriguez in the face with a knee. Holloway then knees the body with Rodriguez pressed against the fence, but “El Pantera” does not stay there for long and fights his way out to kick Holloway’s leg. Holloway tries another takedown to draw a reaction out of his opponent, and in the confusion, he scores a big punch and knocks Rodriguez’ legs out from under him. Rodriguez tries to get off upkicks, and Holloway shucks them off and climbs on top to take top position. Very smoothly, Holloway slides an arm-triangle choke around the head of his foe, and then he abandons it to claim full mount. Holloway pursues a rear-naked choke setup when Rodriguez gives up his back, but then lets him turn back to mount so that Holloway can smash him in the fact with fists and elbows. Rodriguez continues to turn and squirm, and Holloway slides out the back door to where both are on their knees in front of one another. Holloway considers a guillotine choke, but lets it go so they can stand back up and bang. They do exactly that, slugging it out with one another until suddenly, Rodriguez takes the former champ down. Holloway defends with a guillotine off his back, but pushes his man off of him to stand back up. Holloway marks Rodriguez up with long, reaching punches, and Rodriguez tries to fire back but is out of range. “Blessed” grabs a kick that flies at him, and as soon as it is in the air, Holloway enters into a takedown and hits it. Pushing Rodriguez into the wire on the corner between the ground and the fence, Holloway traps his foe with punches and elbows. Holloway blasts the midsection with his knees along the way, and Rodriguez is able to burst back to his feet right before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 4
Holloway has a large welt on his side, with some serious damage showing from the kicks of his opponent, but he does not even seem to notice. Holloway crashes in to pursue a takedown, and Rodriguez shucks it off but gets punched in the face three times for his effort. Holloway invests in body shots, and Rodriguez is swinging for the fences with full power in every one of his strikes. Holloway walks through a leg kick to land a few punches, and Rodriguez is right there to trade with him fearlessly. They close their range and Holloway ties up with him, but he lets go so that he can work the body. Holloway slams his knee into Rodriguez’s body, and he grips on to a guillotine choke standing up to cinch it up. The former champ uses the choke to press Rodriguez down to the ground, and he nearly takes mount, but settles for half guard with the intent to get right to side control. Holloway lands a few elbows from above, and Rodriguez fires back off his back but the strikes are not nearly as powerful as Holloway’s. “El Pantera” hunts for a leglock, and Holloway stands up, spins around, and climbs back down to secure an odd position between side control and back control. The fighter out of Mexico spins around, threatens with an upkick, and ultimately surrenders a very bad position. Holloway clamps down with three-quarter mount, and all the while, he is battering Rodriguez with ground-and-pound. Possibly through sheer force of will, Rodriguez fights his way back to his feet and walking up the fence. Holloway allows this so that he can tee off on “El Pantera,” taming him with a few punches and evading the counters. Rodriguez swings wide with an elbow, and after a furious exchange, a punch from Holloway with the thumb not secured to his fist pokes into Rodriguez’ eye. Goddard allows Rodriguez to recover, and he does so after a 45-second break. When they resume, Holloway jumps in with a knee, and Rodriguez tries to perform his own version of Fedor Emelianenko vs. Andrei Arlovski with a right hand to counter Holloway on the way in. Holloway’s chin holds together, and he settles down and quickly blocks a flying knee that whizzes at him. They start to trade heavy leather, with Holloway scoring an elbow in close range while Rodriguez headhunts. In close range, Holloway spins with a kick to the body. This seems to energize Rodriguez, who jumps at him with a flying strike and a wild array of looping punches that mostly miss until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Holloway
Round 5
Rodriguez’ corner implores their fighter to throw caution to the wind and abandon his gameplan. When they start off the last round, they hug it out, and go right down to trading punches. Holloway lands the cleaner of the strikes, forcing Rodriguez to spin around and kick him in the side. Rodriguez rips the body with a kick, scores two punches, and kicks the same spot one more time. Holloway does not even budge, and instead he strings a trio of punches together. Holloway lands a long chain of punches and punctuates it with a big knee as Rodriguez is up against the wall. Rodriguez is able to gain space, and he steps forward with an elbow that barely registers. The body shots from Holloway draw reactions from his opponent more than the ones to the head, and yet Rodriguez continues to gather himself and throw back. Rodriguez turns a few low kicks into an odd combination, but it lands cleanly and Holloway smiles at him. When Holloway lands a few punches, Rodriguez times a capoeira kick that glances off his guard. The former champ welcomes this, as he pushes Rodriguez to the ground and steps into half guard. As they wrangle for position on the ground, Rodriguez manages to sweep his opponent and get on top. Holloway fights out of a guillotine choke and scoots his way to the fence so that he can stand up, and it is Rodriguez who pursues a single when they are against the wall. Rodriguez nails Holloway with a spinning elbow, and it slashes Holloways’ face open. Holloway works the body with a few knees, and then shoves off so they can get back to kickboxing range. Rodriguez wings a spinning kick that misses, and a right hand does connect. The furious swinging of fists and fingers results in Holloway getting poked in the eye, and Goddard forces him to pause and recover instead of just charging forward. After a few seconds, the match resumes and Holloway pressures him with a few punches. Holloway is wearing it, and he and Rodriguez throw down while Rodriguez is doing everything he can to finish the fight. Holloway just avoids the brunt of the damage with a spinning kick to the torso, and he ties “El Pantera” up on the fence to work him over with clinch strikes. The former champion gets off a few more short strikes until the final bell, and we have miraculously made it to the end of the 25-minute period after a total thriller. After two years away, Rodriguez gave a real accounting of himself, and the judges will have the final say in the matter. With the decision going in favor of the Hawaiian, Holloway celebrates his opponent and gives it up for their hard-fought battle while shouting, “Viva Mexico!” A fight card many were ruing ended up delivering practically from bell to bell, with eight knockouts and nine finishes across 11 bouts. This mid-day card is over, and the next Fight Night will be upon us in a week even as the order of the matchups is still being determined by the UFC. We will be here for it, and we hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (48-47 Holloway)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (48-47 Holloway)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez (48-47 Holloway)
The Official Result
Max Holloway def. Yair Rodriguez via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
Angelo picks Max Holloway to win inside the distance, having placed a one-unit bet at +110. He notes that Holloway's technical striking should cut through Rodriguez's theatrical style. Angelo thinks Holloway will close the distance and avoid the spin attacks, and that Rodriguez's two-year layoff is a factor.
Big Brady is confident in Max Holloway, highlighting his insane volume (7.26 significant strikes per minute) and legendary durability (never knocked down). He notes Rodriguez likely needs a KO to win, but Holloway's chin and cardio are elite. Brady expects Holloway to increase volume each round and predicts a fifth-round TKO as damage accumulates.
Cody believes Holloway is a god-tier operator who dominates non-elite opponents. He references Holloway's record 445 significant strikes against Kattar and argues that his losses are only to the best (Volkanovski, Poirier). He expects Holloway to win inside the distance, likely by TKO in the later rounds, and thinks the over 3.5 rounds is a solid play.
Daniel Levi picks Max Holloway, citing his record-breaking output against Calvin Kattar (447 significant strikes landed) and his status as the clear #2 featherweight. He acknowledges Yair Rodríguez's dynamic striking and finishing ability but believes Holloway's volume and pressure will overwhelm Rodríguez as he fatigues. Levi notes that Rodríguez is a live underdog but ultimately trusts Holloway's proven championship level.
Jacob picks Max Holloway to win inside the distance, placing a four-unit bet at +110. He believes there are levels to this and that Holloway will wear on Rodriguez with volume and finish him. Jacob thinks Holloway wants to make a statement as a big favorite.
Paul thinks Max Holloway's volume and durability are unmatched. He notes Holloway's record-breaking strike output and believes Rodríguez can't keep the pace. He's priced out at -720 but still picks Holloway to win, possibly by late stoppage or decision.
The Guru picks Max Holloway by third-round TKO (doctor stoppage due to swelling). He expects Rodríguez to have a strong first round with leg kicks and flashy strikes, but Holloway's pressure, body work, and oblique kicks will break Rodríguez down. By the third round, Rodríguez's eye will be swollen shut, forcing a stoppage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 96 of 170 | 56% | 136 of 213 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:10 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 50 of 95 | 52% | 99 of 156 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 5:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 39 of 70 | 55% | 39 of 70 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 11 of 24 | 45% | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:29 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 41 of 73 | 56% | 62 of 97 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:20 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 21 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:33 | |
| 3 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 16 of 27 | 59% | 35 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 28 of 49 | 57% | 67 of 97 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:33 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 96 of 170 | 56% | 65 of 127 | 14 of 23 | 17 of 20 | 54 of 100 | 6 of 10 | 36 of 60 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 50 of 95 | 52% | 35 of 76 | 10 of 10 | 5 of 9 | 19 of 51 | 6 of 11 | 25 of 33 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 39 of 70 | 55% | 18 of 43 | 9 of 13 | 12 of 14 | 34 of 61 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 11 of 24 | 45% | 3 of 14 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 6 | 9 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 41 of 73 | 56% | 37 of 67 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 34 of 58 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 11 of 22 | 50% | 9 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 8 | 4 of 7 | 6 of 7 | |
| 3 | Yair Rodríguez | 16 of 27 | 59% | 10 of 17 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 28 of 49 | 57% | 23 of 43 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 19 of 26 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 96 of 170 | 56% | 136 of 213 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:10 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 50 of 95 | 52% | 99 of 156 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 5:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 39 of 70 | 55% | 39 of 70 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 11 of 24 | 45% | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:29 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 41 of 73 | 56% | 62 of 97 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:20 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 21 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:33 | |
| 3 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 16 of 27 | 59% | 35 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 0 | 28 of 49 | 57% | 67 of 97 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:33 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 96 of 170 | 56% | 65 of 127 | 14 of 23 | 17 of 20 | 54 of 100 | 6 of 10 | 36 of 60 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 50 of 95 | 52% | 35 of 76 | 10 of 10 | 5 of 9 | 19 of 51 | 6 of 11 | 25 of 33 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 39 of 70 | 55% | 18 of 43 | 9 of 13 | 12 of 14 | 34 of 61 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 11 of 24 | 45% | 3 of 14 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 6 | 9 of 21 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 41 of 73 | 56% | 37 of 67 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 34 of 58 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 11 of 22 | 50% | 9 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 8 | 4 of 7 | 6 of 7 | |
| 3 | Yair Rodríguez | 16 of 27 | 59% | 10 of 17 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Jeremy Stephens | 28 of 49 | 57% | 23 of 43 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 19 of 26 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
We are now treated to a rematch of the main event from UFC Mexico City in September, which tragically ended due to an eye poke within 15 seconds. Rodriguez (12-2, 1 NC; 7-1, 1 NC UFC) is ready to run it back with Stephens (28-16, 1 NC; 16-15, 1 NC UFC), and tensions are high. Trying to keep a lid on this featherweight tilt is referee Kevin MacDonald. There is no touch of the gloves of any kind, as Rodriguez leaps through the air with a flying head kick that clanks off the dome of Stephens. Stephens wings back some angry punches, and the two trade for a moment with bad intentions. Rodriguez clinches up and pushes Stephens against the cage, and Stephens throws a knee to the body, so Rodriguez retaliates with one of his own. The crowd has started to chant "U.S.A." to root on their home country fighter, and as they break apart, Rodriguez lands a powerful elbows over the top. "El Pantera" throws a wild spinning wheel kick that is nowhere near the mark, but he regains position and throws several heavy kicks on both legs. A few body kicks are finding their home on Stephens' midsection, and they are adding up quick. Stephens fires back with everything he has in the form of right hands, but Rodriguez keeps his distance with effective kicks. Another body kick digs in for Rodriguez, and Stephens has lowered his right hand to defend this specific attack. Stephens ducks down possibly for a takedown, but after a little clinch fighting, the two separate. Rodriguez chooses to crash forward into the clinch again, landing a knee up the middle to get there. As Rodriguez slaps a low kick, Stephens rips a right hand to the body of his opponent. The Mexican pulls off a jumping switch kick that catches Stephens flush, but Stephens walks through it. As Stephens presses forward, Rodriguez drops him with a left jab, but cannot take advantage of his grounded adversary as Stephens returns to his feet. Two more kicks get off from Rodriguez, as Stephens chases him around and motions an obscene gesture to end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Round 2
Rodriguez opens up round two with a spinning kick, but Stephens is able to get up his guard on time. The Mexican fighter then whips a head kick up top, but it is the body kick that follows that does serious damage and makes Stephens buckle over. As Stephens stumbles backwards, Rodriguez swarms him with punches, throwing everything he has into his punches. Stephens defends himself by pursuing a takedown, but Rodriguez is relentless with punches. "Lil' Heathen" is able to survive the assault by going after low takedowns, but Rodriguez walks over it and lands long punches. On his back, Stephens eats wild hammerfists but begins to throw punches while on his back. Rodriguez latches on a brabo choke, and Stephens is trying to roll out of it and survives the submission attempt but is still in grave danger. With pure willpower, Stephens stands back up and unleashes the hardest punches he can possibly throw on Rodriguez. Rodriguez dodges and weaves out of the way of most of these shots, and as Rodriguez catches Stephens to the body again with a kick, Stephens wraps Rodriguez and tries to take him down. Rodriguez rolls through to try to get out of the position but ends up on his back, with Stephens on top raining down punches. El Pantera throws up his legs to search for a triangle choke, and Stephens is not out of the woods yet. In more of a leg scissor choke than a triangle, Stephens breaks the posture and grinds his elbow on his opponent's face as Rodriguez is warned for grabbing the cage. Rodriguez gradually stands up, and Stephens punishes him with a salvo of punches. The Mexican eats several more shots as he finally gets to his feet, and whips a body kick out that backs away Stephens as this crazy round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rodriguez
Round 3
Stephens comes out threatening with big shots, and as Rodriguez throws a kick out to back him off, he catches Stephens in the groin with a kick. Stephens calls the ref off so that he can charge at Rodriguez, and he slings looping shots that score on Rodriguez and get the crowd amped up. Rodriguez tries to keep his distance with leg kicks, and Stephens catches him on the end of a right hand that Rodriguez wears well. Suddenly, Stephens drops for a double leg takedown and gets Rodriguez down, and although Rodriguez gets back up, Stephens makes sure to score with several punches on his way up. The two separate, but not for long, as Stephens rushes in to secure another takedown and lands in Rodriguez' guard. Rodriguez attempts to utilize a rubber guard to get hold of Stephens' neck, but Stephens pushes the leg off and tries to get his ground-and-pound going. It is quite unfortunate that this fight is only three rounds instead of five, as Stephens sits on top in half guard while throwing punches from above. Stephens continues to mount offense on top in the form of numerous left hands, and the American then decides to drop down elbows that get heavier the more he throws. A huge left hand from Stephens scores as he stands up and dives down to land it, and after some more thudding strikes, the fight is now over. In a display of great sportsmanship, the two embrace, both thrilled with their performances.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Stephens (29-28 Rodriguez)
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Stephens (29-28 Rodriguez)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Stephens (28-28 Draw)
The Official Result
Yair Rodriguez def. Jeremy Stephens via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Patrício Pitbull - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 49 of 88 | 55% | 49 of 88 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Aaron Pico | 0 | 100 of 181 | 55% | 104 of 185 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 0 | 0 | 3:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 17 of 28 | 60% | 17 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Aaron Pico | 0 | 22 of 56 | 39% | 25 of 59 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 | |
| 2 | Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 19 of 33 | 57% | 19 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Aaron Pico | 0 | 49 of 77 | 63% | 49 of 77 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 | |
| 3 | Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 13 of 27 | 48% | 13 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Aaron Pico | 0 | 29 of 48 | 60% | 30 of 49 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 1:57 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrício Pitbull | 49 of 88 | 55% | 28 of 60 | 14 of 19 | 7 of 9 | 37 of 76 | 12 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
| Aaron Pico | 100 of 181 | 55% | 79 of 156 | 11 of 15 | 10 of 10 | 90 of 166 | 6 of 9 | 4 of 6 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patrício Pitbull | 17 of 28 | 60% | 12 of 20 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 15 of 26 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Aaron Pico | 22 of 56 | 39% | 17 of 48 | 1 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 21 of 51 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Patrício Pitbull | 19 of 33 | 57% | 11 of 25 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 16 of 30 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Aaron Pico | 49 of 77 | 63% | 40 of 67 | 5 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 43 of 70 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | |
| 3 | Patrício Pitbull | 13 of 27 | 48% | 5 of 15 | 7 of 10 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 20 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Aaron Pico | 29 of 48 | 60% | 22 of 41 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 26 of 45 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo confidently picks Aaron Pico, calling him bigger, faster, stronger, and better everywhere. He acknowledges Pitbull's legendary career but notes his age (39) and believes Pico should dominate. He suggests Pico should be a much heavier favorite, calling minus 300 good value.
Big Brady is impressed with Pico's elite wrestling, power, and body work, but notes his durability issues (all losses inside the distance). He thinks Pitbull is dangerous but aging (38) and has shown vulnerability. He predicts Pico will get takedowns and ground-and-pound for a second-round TKO, though he dislikes the -300 price.
Cody passes on this fight, unable to trust Pico's chin at such a high price. He acknowledges the logic but cannot bring himself to bet on Pico.
Connor picks Patrício based on his one-shot power and Pico's defensive vulnerability. He notes that Pico gets blindsided when hit and has no defensive awareness, while Patrício still has a quick, powerful shot. However, he acknowledges Patrício's decline in choosiness and hesitancy, which could give Pico early leash.
Daniel acknowledges Pico's chin issues but thinks his skill advantage is significant. He picks Pico but warns that Pitbull is a live dog if Pico is gunshy.
Daniel Vreeland picks Aaron Pico, citing Pico's youth, size, and physicality. He believes Pico will crowd Pitbull and use his grappling to neutralize Pitbull's distance management. He acknowledges Pitbull's power and counter-striking but thinks age and weight cuts have slowed him down.
James picks Aaron Pico, expecting him to be more reserved after his knockout loss and use his superior boxing and wrestling to dominate Pitbull. He predicts a KO victory.
Pico should use his wrestling to neutralize Pitbull's power. Pitbull is dangerous but low output and older. Pico's wrestling is elite and he can grind out a decision. However, the line is too steep at -315; value is not there. Pico needs to be calm and avoid brawling. A wrestle-heavy approach should secure the win.
Paul picks Pico despite the high price, believing Pico's wrestling and athleticism will be key. He thinks Pico will use takedowns to neutralize Pitbull's power and grind out a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Patrício Pitbull over Aaron Pico, despite Pico being a -300 favorite. He questions Pico's chin and notes he has been KO'd multiple times. He believes Pitbull is crafty and experienced, and can catch Pico late in the second or third round by TKO. He thinks the odds should be evens.
Zane picks Pico despite his defensive flaws, citing Patrício's recent fragility and choosiness. He notes that Pico is an elite athlete who can roll downhill and that Patrício has been looking more fragile, getting iced early by Chihiro Suzuki. However, he admits Pico's defensive issues are stark and he doesn't feel good about the pick.
Angelo picks Losene Keita but advises against betting on him. He acknowledges Keita's speed, power, and takedown defense, but warns that Pitbull is a crafty veteran who could pull off an upset. He notes that many prospects have lost to old vets. He believes Keita's speed will be a problem for Pitbull's takedown entries, but calls it a risky fight and recommends leaving it alone.
Big Brady picks Losene Keita, citing Pitbull's age (38), declining durability, and low volume. He notes Keita is 11 years younger, pressures forward, and has power. He believes Pitbull has been hurt in his last five fights and will get knocked out here. He predicts a first-round KO.
Connor picks Keita, citing his freakish speed and power, similar to Chihiro Suzuki who beat Pitbull. He notes that Pitbull's cautious, counter-punching style may not keep up with Keita's athleticism, and that Keita is a proven winner. He acknowledges that Pitbull could outmaneuver him, but sees Keita's physical advantages as decisive.
The host views Keita as a highly touted prospect who is very fast, powerful, and only 27 years old. He thinks Keita does everything Pitbull does but much better and at a younger age, allowing him to dictate the pace and eventually find a big knockout.
The Guru picks Patrício Pitbull, despite concerns about age and size. He criticizes Keita's limited offense (straight right hands and rear kicks) and believes Pitbull's experience and jiu-jitsu will be key. He predicts Pitbull will secure takedowns, take the back, and win by submission (rear-naked choke) or decision. He also notes Keita's UFC debut jitters.
Zane picks Pitbull, believing his experience and technical savvy can outfox the raw but fast Keita. He notes that Keita leaves openings and is susceptible to takedowns, and that Pitbull can neutralize him. However, he acknowledges that Keita's speed and power make it a trap fight, and that Pitbull may gas or get caught.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 47 of 124 | 37% | 59 of 145 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Dan Ige | 0 | 55 of 97 | 56% | 71 of 114 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 0 | 0 | 2:44 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 6 of 28 | 21% | 10 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dan Ige | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 7 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:03 | |
| 2 | Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 19 of 51 | 37% | 19 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Dan Ige | 0 | 37 of 58 | 63% | 47 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:55 | |
| 3 | Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 22 of 45 | 48% | 30 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Dan Ige | 0 | 11 of 26 | 42% | 17 of 33 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0:46 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrício Pitbull | 47 of 124 | 37% | 24 of 93 | 15 of 23 | 8 of 8 | 38 of 109 | 3 of 5 | 6 of 10 |
| Dan Ige | 55 of 97 | 56% | 42 of 82 | 9 of 10 | 4 of 5 | 42 of 82 | 9 of 11 | 4 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patrício Pitbull | 6 of 28 | 21% | 1 of 21 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Dan Ige | 7 of 13 | 53% | 2 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Patrício Pitbull | 19 of 51 | 37% | 10 of 38 | 6 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 48 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Dan Ige | 37 of 58 | 63% | 30 of 50 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 25 of 45 | 8 of 9 | 4 of 4 | |
| 3 | Patrício Pitbull | 22 of 45 | 48% | 13 of 34 | 7 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 10 |
| Dan Ige | 11 of 26 | 42% | 10 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Dan Ige, calling him a tough, durable journeyman who has fought top competition in the UFC. He is wary of the Patricio Pitbull trap after Pitbull's loss in his UFC debut. He thinks Ige's will and determination will carry him, but he won't bet on it.
Big Brady picks Dan Ige, citing Pitbull's age (38), declining durability, low volume, and lack of wrestling. He notes Ige has advantages in size, reach, volume, durability, and competition level. He predicts Ige wins by knockout, as Pitbull has been dropped recently.
Connor believes Pitbull's patient counterpunching style is a great matchup against Ige, who tends to rush in and make mistakes. He notes that Ige lacks a range game and often gets hit while coming forward, which plays into Pitbull's strengths. He sees Pitbull capitalizing on Ige's aggression with counters and takedowns.
The host believes Ige's volume output and ability to manage distance and pace will be key to shutting down Pitbull's power striking. He expects Ige to have a competitive first round but then chip away and win on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks Dan Ige over Patrício Pitbull, predicting a KO win. He criticizes Pitbull as a jack-of-all-trades but master of none, lacking dominant grappling or KO power. Ige is described as a short, stocky power puncher who can crack on the inside, similar to Michael Chandler who knocked out Pitbull. The Guru also references Pitbull's poor performance against Yair Rodriguez and believes Ige will put him away. He notes that Ige is a slight favorite and should be a bigger favorite.
Zane agrees, stating that Ige's style of rushing forward with flurries is exactly what Pitbull thrives against. He notes that Ige's lack of a range game and tendency to get hit while pressing forward will allow Pitbull to land counters and control the fight. He sees this as a much better matchup for Pitbull than the Yair Rodriguez fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 1 | 70 of 122 | 57% | 97 of 157 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:43 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 17 of 50 | 34% | 23 of 60 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 1:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 26 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 0 | 21 of 45 | 46% | 25 of 52 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 8 of 26 | 30% | 8 of 26 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:28 | |
| 3 | Yair Rodríguez | 1 | 38 of 56 | 67% | 46 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:41 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 0 | 5 of 14 | 35% | 10 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yair Rodríguez | 70 of 122 | 57% | 38 of 82 | 18 of 23 | 14 of 17 | 43 of 89 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 31 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 17 of 50 | 34% | 8 of 38 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 8 | 17 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yair Rodríguez | 11 of 21 | 52% | 3 of 10 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 6 | 10 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 4 of 10 | 40% | 0 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Yair Rodríguez | 21 of 45 | 46% | 8 of 28 | 6 of 9 | 7 of 8 | 20 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 8 of 26 | 30% | 5 of 21 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Yair Rodríguez | 38 of 56 | 67% | 27 of 44 | 8 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 25 of 31 |
| Patrício Pitbull | 5 of 14 | 35% | 3 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Connor picks Rodríguez, echoing Zane's reasoning about Pitbull's vulnerability to aggressive strikers. He notes that Pitbull has struggled against fighters who pressure him early and that Rodríguez's length and kicking game pose unique problems. Connor acknowledges Pitbull's experience and ability to adjust between fights but believes Rodríguez's style is a bad matchup for the current version of Pitbull.
Daniel Levi states that Yair Rodríguez schooled Patrício Pitbull, being much faster and more dynamic, and was a couple steps ahead all night. He notes that Pitbull looked shopworn and didn't shine in the big moment.
Lucrative James picks Patrício Pitbull to win, citing his experience, grappling advantage, and power. He believes Pitbull's wrestling and top control will be key, and he expects him to submit or ground-and-pound Rodríguez. He acknowledges Rodríguez's flashy kicks and danger but thinks Pitbull's cerebral style and veteran savvy will prevail. He notes that Pitbull is 37 and may be past his prime, but he still sees him as the better fighter overall. He also thinks the UFC is setting Pitbull up for a win to inject new blood into the division.
Zane picks Rodríguez, citing Pitbull's history of losing to aggressive, high-output fighters who take the initiative early. He notes that Pitbull has become a patient counter-puncher, which plays into Rodríguez's strengths as a long-range striker with dynamic kicks. Zane points to Pitbull's recent loss to Chihiro Suzuki as evidence that he can be overwhelmed by a powerful, wild striker. He acknowledges Pitbull's grappling and experience but believes Rodríguez's reach and willingness to attack from distance will be decisive.
Expert Picks (4)
Connor picks Rodríguez, echoing Zane's reasoning about Pitbull's vulnerability to aggressive strikers. He notes that Pitbull has struggled against fighters who pressure him early and that Rodríguez's length and kicking game pose unique problems. Connor acknowledges Pitbull's experience and ability to adjust between fights but believes Rodríguez's style is a bad matchup for the current version of Pitbull.
Daniel Levi states that Yair Rodríguez schooled Patrício Pitbull, being much faster and more dynamic, and was a couple steps ahead all night. He notes that Pitbull looked shopworn and didn't shine in the big moment.
Lucrative James picks Patrício Pitbull to win, citing his experience, grappling advantage, and power. He believes Pitbull's wrestling and top control will be key, and he expects him to submit or ground-and-pound Rodríguez. He acknowledges Rodríguez's flashy kicks and danger but thinks Pitbull's cerebral style and veteran savvy will prevail. He notes that Pitbull is 37 and may be past his prime, but he still sees him as the better fighter overall. He also thinks the UFC is setting Pitbull up for a win to inject new blood into the division.
Zane picks Rodríguez, citing Pitbull's history of losing to aggressive, high-output fighters who take the initiative early. He notes that Pitbull has become a patient counter-puncher, which plays into Rodríguez's strengths as a long-range striker with dynamic kicks. Zane points to Pitbull's recent loss to Chihiro Suzuki as evidence that he can be overwhelmed by a powerful, wild striker. He acknowledges Pitbull's grappling and experience but believes Rodríguez's reach and willingness to attack from distance will be decisive.
Comments (1)
Pitbull nearly snapped an arm bar last min. Yair was dirty in certain spots. The headkick on Pit should have been the KO, no idea how Pit eats it.
Pitbull nearly snapped an arm bar last min. Yair was dirty in certain spots. The headkick on Pit should have been the KO, no idea how Pit eats it.