Issue 147
November 2016
Can Yair Rodriguez become the first Mexico-born and raised fighter to wear UFC gold?
It’s been a dream of the men running the UFC to have a home-grown Mexican win a UFC championship for years. History proves it would represent the skeleton key to unlock the local market, which – if boxing is anything to go by – is full of rabid fight fans.
Two decades in, however, and they’re yet to find one. But now, for the first time, the UFC might just have an athlete with the potential to take on that mantle. He’s still a raw talent, but Yair Rodriguez could be the answer to UFC prayers. Here are five reasons why:
1 Pole position
There is no other Mexico native in a better position to push for a title shot right now. While Erik Perez is slowly moving up the 135lb ladder, Alexa Grasso is yet to fight in the Octagon and Jessica Aguilar is yet to register a UFC win. Meanwhile, ‘El Pantera’ is flying up the rankings. Another few wins and he’s right on target for a championship fight.
2 Front & center
The UFC would love to see the 23-year-old as one of its most prominent fighters. He’s bilingual, personable and sure-fire hit with the ladies – everything you’d want from an ambassador and a role model. It’s in its interest to put him in fights that push him to the top.
3 Evolution
Rodriguez looks 10-times the fighter that won the first season of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America. He shows signs of improvement and appears to have new weapons in his arsenal every time he enters the Octagon. Last time out against Alex Caceres, he showed an ability to pace himself for 25 minutes and outwork a veteran opponent. Before that, against Andre Fili, he demonstrated a cat-like ability to leap and punt someone’s head in mid-air.
4 Stand-up guy
We all want to see young Yair throw all kinds of wild strikes. The best way for him to do that is to stay on his feet, so he’s developed his grappling with elite coaches. After first working closely with Jackson-Wink’s wrestling guru Izzy Martinez, then Mark Perry from the University of Illinois, he’s gained the chops to remain vertical so he can make his opponents go horizontal.
5 Power vacuum?
Conor McGregor could move up for money fights, José Aldo may follow him and Frankie Edgar could compete anywhere. It might not be too surprising to see Rodriguez battling with Max Holloway, Ricardo Lamas and Cub Swanson to take the vacant 145lb throne – and he’s got a chance against any of them.
What you think
FOs followers have their say
Yes
Arthurs Acevedo
That kid’s a beast.
NO
John Maldonado
No he won’t make it far.
YES
Yael Enrique Acosta
He has amazing potential and with Greg Jackson he could be one day.
Twitter poll
Yes: 47% No: 53%
