Yair Rodriguez put on a striking clinic against Patricio Pitbull at UFC 314, securing a clear unanimous decision victory in their highly anticipated matchup.
Rodriguez showcased his dynamic striking throughout the fight, consistently outmaneuvering Pitbull and landing impactful blows. He nearly finished the fight with a late knockdown, but Pitbull managed to survive. Despite Pitbull`s toughness, he struggled to inflict significant damage, as Rodriguez controlled the distance and pace from start to finish.
All three judges scored the bout 30-27 in favor of Rodriguez, marking his return to the win column after suffering two losses in his previous fights.
“I knew he would be a tough opponent,” Rodriguez stated post-fight. He expressed his initial goal to finish Pitbull in the first round but acknowledged Pitbull`s preparedness. Rodriguez showed respect for Pitbull`s UFC journey and voiced his desire to compete for the title in Mexico, specifically in Guadalajara in September.
Leveraging his reach and height advantage, Rodriguez effectively utilized strikes from a distance, while Pitbull was initially hesitant and known for his slower starts. Rodriguez remained cautious not to overextend due to Pitbull`s renowned knockout power.
A powerful head kick from Rodriguez landed cleanly, but Pitbull responded with a smile, inviting further engagement. Although Pitbull secured a takedown late in the first round, time expired before he could capitalize.
Pitbull found some success in the second round, landing a strong left hand that momentarily caught Rodriguez`s attention. However, Rodriguez quickly recovered and continued to dictate the striking exchanges with diverse kicks, maintaining his distance effectively.
In the final round, with Pitbull needing a finish, Rodriguez maintained his kicking strategy and showed no signs of backing down. Pitbull`s increased aggression backfired when Rodriguez landed a powerful punch, dropping the former Bellator champion.
Rodriguez followed up with ground strikes, attempting to finish Pitbull, who desperately defended and even attempted an armbar. Rodriguez successfully defended and continued his assault until the bell rang.
Rodriguez celebrated a dominant victory over Pitbull, considered one of Bellator`s greatest fighters.
With this win, Rodriguez hopes to secure a title shot when the UFC returns to Mexico in September, although he acknowledges that several factors need to align for this opportunity to materialize after a mixed record in his recent fights.
