“I’ve been putting a lot of attention on what is necessary for me to get here, and to perform well, and I can’t wait for Saturday because I’m excited to see how I can perform under good circumstances.
“Right now, everything is running smooth,” he added. “I don’t know what else to say — I’m ready.”
As much as he’s ready for the weekend, the 30-year-old isn’t really thinking about it all that much.
Yes, there is a massive test in front of him in the form of Volkanovski, the reigning king of the featherweight division, who has gone 12-0 inside the Octagon when competing in the 145-pound weight class, but the work for Saturday has already been done, and their moment to stand across from one another is sure to come soon.
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But instead of fixating on what that night may bring, Rodriguez instead prioritizes each day — handling the responsibilities and expectations that come with each fight week, and making sure that he’s enjoying the process, accepting the fact that what happens on Saturday night cannot be decided on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
“Getting close to the fight, I’m not really focusing much on Saturday; I’m focusing more on my day-by-day, getting everything done the right way, taking advantage of the time that I have, enjoying the process,” explained the interim titleholder, who was projected to be a future title contender from the moment he blazed a trail through the competition on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter Latin America in 2014.
