Yair Rodriguez is aware of precisely the place he screwed up in opposition to Alexander Volkanovski.
Final July, Rodriguez confronted Volkanovski in a featherweight title unification bout at UFC 290, falling to the long-reigning champion by way of third-round TKO. It was an unlucky consequence for “El Pantera,” however one which he believes taught him a helpful lesson transferring ahead in his profession.
“Hearken to my nook somewhat extra,” Rodriguez stated on The MMA Hour when requested what he did mistaken in opposition to Volkanovski. “I wasn’t actually listening to my nook. I did all the pieces OK earlier than the combat. In the course of the combat, I began making some changes and I began selecting it up slowly. I believe I used to be doing a reasonably good job till I obtained that good punch. I believe he hit me with the pinnacle as soon as within the third spherical, and I didn’t actually take a lot time to come back again and combat. My nook was like, ‘OK, take a while. You’re not in a rush.’ I didn’t hear. I simply went again and after that I obtained the precise hand and I used to be nearly out. I couldn’t actually defend myself that effectively. However it’s what it’s. That’s the title of the game.
“I simply tried to come back again sooner. I didn’t need the combat to chill down. I felt like, ‘I can do that,’ after which I obtained punched proper after that and I felt it. It was a extremely good punch too. After that punch I used to be nearly out, so I couldn’t actually do a lot.”
Rodriguez admitted that within the fast aftermath, he was upset with the result. However upon reflection, “El Pantera” says he believes his story with Volkanovski isn’t over but.
“I used to be unhappy. I didn’t wish to return and watch the combat,” Rodriguez stated. “I used to be like, ‘OK, no matter. I misplaced the combat.’ However I went again and watched the combat and it wasn’t that unhealthy. I believe I can get him within the subsequent one. I’m nonetheless in rivalry. I’m nonetheless on the entrance of the division. I believe I’m going to have one other alternative to combat for the title once more.”
Rodriguez stays the No. 2-ranked featherweight, in line with UFC. He begins his climb again to title rivalry on Saturday with a five-round rematch in opposition to Brian Ortega within the co-main occasion of UFC Mexico. The 2 first met again in 2022 in the principle occasion of UFC on ABC 3, with Rodriguez profitable within the first spherical after Ortega suffered a shoulder damage. The of nature of the ending left some followers dissatisfied with the consequence, and now the 2 have an opportunity to appropriate that — and achieve this in Rodriguez’s dwelling nation.
“I like the truth that I’m combating in Mexico Metropolis,” Rodriguez stated. “It simply type of shocked me that they didn’t give me the principle occasion however nonetheless gave me 5 rounds. However who cares? No matter. I’m OK with no matter.
“I didn’t actually have a lot choices [for opponent]. They provided Brian Ortega and I stated sure. I’m OK with that. Many individuals didn’t like the results of the final combat. However who cares? We’re combating once more and I assume now there will probably be little doubt.”
And when the cage door closes, Rodriguez believes that dwelling area benefit will probably be huge, and finally result in the identical consequence as the primary go round.
“I don’t know if Brian has been getting ready himself at excessive elevation, however I believe he’s going to try to come fast at me,” Rodriguez stated. “Try to take my again, take me down. He’s going to try to do one thing determined like that and it’s going to result in me profitable the combat due to him getting determined. He’s going to really feel the elevation, he’s going to really feel the strain of the general public, he’s going to really feel my strain as a result of I’m one hundred pc not getting drained in that combat, and I believe I’m going to get him within the second spherical.”
UFC Mexico takes place on Feb. 24 at Enviornment CDMX in Mexico Metropolis. It’s set to be headlined by a flyweight rematch between Brandon Moreno and Brandon Royval.
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