Yair Rodriguez heroically threw the kitchen sink at Max Holloway at UFC Vegas 42, but it wasn’t enough.
Holloway absorbed everything Rodriguez dished out and delivered more of his own en route to a 49-46, 48-47, 48-47 unanimous decision victory at the UFC Apex Saturday afternoon.
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1459682921069961218?s=20
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1459668182843727872?s=20
Rodriguez was returning after a 25-month absence and any semblance of ring rust disappeared in the first round, going to work early with leg kicks and strikes to try and stake some starch out of “Blessed.”
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But Holloway returned the favour, landing a flying knee to the body in the third round. Rodriguez fought through arm-triangle and standing guillotine submission attempts, but emerged into the fourth round with battle wounds under his eyes. Rodriguez was fatigued, but still willing, as indicated by the flying knee attempt below.
Yair takes flight in the fourth ✈️
[ #UFCVegas42 | Main Card Live NOW on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/WQjwSyAPIx
— UFC (@ufc) November 13, 2021
Buoyed by the action, Holloway used his cardio to ramp up the volume, pressuring Rodriguez and avoiding some impressive attacks until the final bell.
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1459666481315262466?s=20
Every fighter in UFC history to land over 3,000 total strikes, in one picture #UFCVegas42 pic.twitter.com/TxQwmIToSY
— UFC (@ufc) November 14, 2021
With the win, Holloway (23-6-0) recorded his second consecutive win and defended his current No. 1 ranking in the division.
Rodriguez likely gained some respect with his spirited performance and may not drop too far his current No. 3 ranking.
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1459677417073569795?s=20
Holloway and Rodriguez earned Fight of the Night, while Andrea Lee and Chaos Williams earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
DA UN JONG DEF. KENNEDY NZECHUKWU VIA KO (ELBOWS) R1 3:04
RAFAEL ALVES DEF. MARC DIAKIESE VIA SUBMISSION (GUILLOTINE CHOKE) R1 1:48
CORTNEY CASEY DEF. LIANA JOJUA VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
SEAN WOODSON DEF. COLIN ANGLIN VIA TKO (PUNCHES TO BODY) R1 4:30
ANDREA LEE DEF. CYNTHIA CALVILLO VIA TKO (CORNER STOPPAGE) R2 5:00
JOEL ALVAREZ DEF. THIAGO MOISES VIA TKO (ELBOWS AND PUNCHES) R1 3:01
MAIN CARD
SONG YADONG VS. JULIO ARCE
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1459632775338807304?s=20
WINNER: SONG YADONG VIA TKO (STRIKES) R2 1:35
ANDREWS PREDICTION: SONG YADONG VIA UD
Andrews: Wow! That was impressive.
MIGUEL BAEZA VS. CHAOS WILLIAMS
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1459640219645493249?s=20
WINNER: KHAOS WILLIAMS VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R3 1:02
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MIGUEL BAEZA VIA TKO
Andrews: Tough luck for Baeza. This one was not going to go the distance and great striking by Khaos to get the finish.
FELICIA SPENCER VS. LEAH LETSON
Came with something to prove 😤
🇨🇦 @FeeNom479 with a DOMINANT finish to end it in RD 3!
[ #UFCVegas42 | Main Card is Live NOW on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/joydO0G30b
— UFC (@ufc) November 13, 2021
WINNER: FELICIA SPENCER VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R3 4:25
ANDREWS PREDICTION: FELICIA SPENCER VIA UD
Andrews: Good win for Felicia.
BEN ROTHWELL VS. MARCOS ROGERIO DE LIMA
Wasting NO time, @Pezao011 gets it done in under 1 minute ⏱
[ #UFCVegas42 | Main Card Live NOW on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/a3W6Nb5C9S
— UFC (@ufc) November 13, 2021
WINNER: MARCOS ROGERIO DE LIMA VIA TKO (STRIKES) R1 0:32
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MARCOS ROGERIO DE LIMA VIA TKO
Andrews: What took him so long? De Lima probably looked at Rothwell as a big target.
MAIN EVENT
#1 MAX HOLLOWAY VS. #3 YAIR RODRIGUEZ
We've got fireworks 🎆
[ #UFCVegas42 | Main Card Live NOW on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/lRC0qj1HW2
— UFC (@ufc) November 13, 2021
WINNER: MAX HOLLOWAY VIA UD (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MAX HOLLOWAY VIA UD
Andrews: Great performances by both fighters. Rodriguez has proven again that he can fight with the best of them.
The next UFC event is UFC Vegas 43, which is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 20 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. In the main event, No. 7 women’s bantamweight Ketlen Viera takes on former champion and No. 8 Miesha Tate.
