Christian Rodriguez produces a huge victory as he uses his experience to take the zero of highly touted prospect Raul Rosas Jr at UFC 287.
Before the Fight
Raul Rosas Jr.
After becoming the youngest-ever UFC fighter and winner at UFC 282 in December. Raul Rosas Jr. looks to add to the building hype as he opens the UFC 287 PPV card. Coming into the bout yet to taste defeat his record sits at 7-0.
Unbelievable Rosas Jr. is only 18 years old and looks to make it back-to-back victories in the world’s biggest MMA promotion. In his debut, he comfortably dealt with Jay Perrin. Dispatching his opponent via submission less than three minutes into round one. Only one of his seven pro bouts has gone the distance.
Christian Rodriguez
Looking to derail the hype train and steal the limelight for his own. Rodriguez has a huge opportunity to etch his name into the name of MMA fans worldwide. Also young at only 25, Rodriguez has gone 8-1 in his professional career thus far.
1-1 in the UFC since his 2022 debut. Rodriguez entered the promotion a weight up at featherweight on short notice. His second bout came at bantamweight where he impressed. Securing an anaconda choke late in the first to secure victory. Rodriguez did miss weight and will forfeit twenty percent of his fight purse to Rosas Jr.
The Fight
Round 1
An immediate takedown attempt for Rosas is defended well by Rodriguez. Now up against the cage in a clinch they both gain control and exchange blows. Finally securing the takedown, Rodriguez uses a D’arce choke to take top position before getting back to the feet.
Rosas jumps onto the back of Rodriguez and looks to work. Looking to lock in a rear-naked choke he can’t quite get under the chin. Still applying pressure to the jaw of Christian. Back on the mat, Raul secures a body triangle and looks for an arm bar as the round ends.
Round 2
Another takedown attempt sees Rodriguez take control. As Raul looks to return to a vertical base he eats a huge knee. Unfazed the output remains high and he once again looks to take the back. Rodriguez stays alert and once again gains top control.
Rosas stays active from the bottom, but Christian rolls with it and remains on top. Rodriguez is now on the back and has a body lock secured. Rosas remains a
nuisance but Rodriguez keeps riding in control.
Round 3
Back to action Rodriguez looks the fresher man. A pair of Rosas takedowns are shrugged off with ease. On the third attempt, Rodriguez takes the back and is riding the movement of Raul with ease. Sensing the fatigue Rodriguez begins to rain down blows.
Rodriguez once again gets to a body triangle and uses it to control comfortably. The round ends with Christian in control.
Christian Rodriguez wins the bout via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
What’s next for Christian Rodriguez after UFC 287?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
