Yair Rodriguez put on a striking clinic against Patricio Pitbull in their UFC 314 matchup, earning a decisive unanimous decision victory in what was a tough welcome to the octagon for the former Bellator champion.
Throughout the fight, Rodriguez showcased superior striking skills, consistently outmaneuvering Pitbull. He punctuated his performance with a late knockdown, coming close to finishing the fight. While Pitbull managed to withstand the attack, he struggled to inflict any significant damage, as Rodriguez effectively controlled the distance and pace from start to finish.
At the fight`s conclusion, all judges scored the bout 30-27 in favor of Rodriguez. This victory marks a return to the win column for Rodriguez after suffering defeats in his two previous fights.
“I anticipated a challenging fight,” Rodriguez commented after his win. “My intention was to secure a first-round finish, and I had a specific technique prepared, but he was well-prepared himself. Respect to Patricio Pitbull for venturing into the UFC. Looking ahead, I hope to compete for the title in Mexico, perhaps in Guadalajara in September, and bring glory to my country.”
Leveraging his advantages in height and reach, Rodriguez effectively utilized long-range strikes, while Pitbull appeared hesitant to engage, a characteristic sometimes seen in his initial rounds. Rodriguez was selective with his attacks, mindful of Pitbull’s renowned knockout power and avoiding overextension.
A powerful head kick from Rodriguez connected, eliciting a smile from Pitbull who gestured for Rodriguez to advance. Pitbull did manage to catch a kick later in the round and secure a takedown, but the clock ran out before he could capitalize.
Pitbull showed more aggression in the following round, landing a solid left hand that snapped Rodriguez’s head back and commanded his attention. Despite this, Rodriguez remained composed, continuing to employ a diverse kicking game while Pitbull struggled to close the distance.
With five minutes remaining in the fight and Pitbull needing a finish, Rodriguez maintained his focus on kicks, displaying no apprehension. Pitbull`s increased aggression proved costly when Rodriguez landed a powerful blow that dropped the former Bellator champion.
Rodriguez followed up with a barrage of punches and elbows on the ground as Pitbull fought to survive. Pitbull attempted an armbar submission from bottom position, coming close to success, but Rodriguez successfully defended and escaped.
As the final bell rang, Rodriguez was still landing strikes, concluding a dominant performance against a fighter widely considered one of Bellator`s all-time greats.
With this victory, Rodriguez hopes to leverage his momentum into a title opportunity when the UFC returns to Mexico in September. However, with recent mixed results in his last three fights, several factors will need to align for this to materialize.
