At UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs Penn, UFC fans wondered whether the age gap of 14 years would give “The Prodigy” BJ Penn an edge in terms of experience and durability, or would the youthful and dynamic “El Pantera” Yair Rodriguez have too many irons in the fire for Penn.
The result would be conclusive and brutal.
Rodriguez dismantled Penn inside two rounds with a beautifully placed front kick, following through with a right hook that caused Penn to fall to the floor. From there, the Mexican unleashed hell on the ground with hammer fists until referee John McCarthy waved the fight off.
It was reminiscent of UFC 126, and Anderson Silva’s destruction of Vitor Belfort. The autopsy for Penn on the comeback fight, and whether it is time to fully retire, will go on for days if not weeks.
“This was an amazing fight for me. I fought a legend tonight. He deserves all the respect. I just want to say thank you so much”
Any time you watch Rodriguez fight, he demonstrates why there is so much positive hype surrounding him. From breakout performances on The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America, to a head turning switch kick knockout of Andre Fili at UFC 197, you can sense there’s something new and exciting taking place. At the blink of an eye, you go from standing to being on your back and the fight being waved off.
The outcome of the Alex Caceres fight only accelerated the hype placed on the shoulders of Rodriguez; he showed incredible cardio to keep the pace at a high tempo and exhibited why his leg kicks are a rare skill. Especially from the angles he can throw them from, utilizing balance and precision.
As a building block to open the opponent’s head and body, Rodriguez has diverse levels of kicking (spinning/body/high/inside/front) also the oblique kick (a fundamental tool of Jackson Wink MMA Academy). Rodriguez is still in the development period and has a lot to learn in terms of harnessing the natural raw talent he posses, to limit reckless behaviour inside the Octagon.
To watch a fighter being fearless when trying out new techniques and patterns as each round passes, is refreshing and exciting.
What conclusion can be drawn from the win against BJ Penn?
There is so much uncertainty surrounding the featherweight division, it is unlikely that any top contenders will be getting a shot at the title until it’s been unified, something that hinges on a potential bout taking place between Jose Aldo and Max Holloway. However, fans can find solace in the coming of age performance from Rodriguez and the belief that he is the glue to keep the division together for many years to come.
At just 24, Rodriguez has orchestrated a 10-1 MMA record (including six-straight victories in the UFC), starching a former champion and legend on the way to the ascendancy of the featherweight division. There can be no doubt in anyone’s mind that Rodriguez will become a future champion, he has shown maturity beyond his years, both in media appearances and performances inside the octagon.
Opportunity will soon come knocking, fellow countrymen and fans all wait patiently to watch the next chapter in this elite talent’s unyielding pursuit for UFC stardom.
“I’m a fighter and I was born to fight. I’m a champion, I know I’m a champion already”
