Mexico’s Rodriguez will be a good test, as he’s shown flashes of brilliance over the years, but not the amount of activity befitting a rising star in a tough division. On Saturday, the No.3-ranked contender makes his first appearance since a October 2019 win over Jeremy Stephens, and Holloway is ready to test his standup, his cardio and his ability to withstand the pressure the former champ specializes in.
“He’s a tough kid, ranked number three in the world for a reason,” said Holloway of his foe. “Exciting. Another guy who likes to think he’s a striker. I can’t wait to go out there and strike with him.”
And strike, and strike and strike some more. Rodriguez has to know what’s coming, but Holloway doesn’t care if he’s got a rock-solid game plan ready to go.
View The Entire UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs Rodroguiez
“Everybody’s got a plan until they get punched – or kicked in the face,” he said. “This fight with Yair has got all the fireworks written all over it, and I’m just excited. I can’t wait to get in there and mix it up with him and see where the fight takes us.”
Holloway expects it to take him to his 23rd pro victory and another shot at regaining the crown he held for three years. See, I told you life is good, especially considering that a couple years back, many were wondering if Holloway had seen his best days while expecting Ortega to take his crown.
That didn’t happen, and while his record sits at 1-3 since he beat “T-City” in December 2018, one loss was up a division in a Fight of the Night against Dustin Poirier, and the other two against Volkanovski could have gone either way, especially the second fight. Add in a new approach to training prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the win over Kattar, and Holloway may just be in the midst of a second chapter in a sport where most don’t get one.
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“I can always do better,” he said. “I can throw 10 more punches, I can throw a hundred more punches, I can land one percent more. You can always get better, and I think that’s what separates me. I can always get better.”
