CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Yair Rodriguez thinks he’s so deep inside Jeremy Stephens’ head in advance of their rematch at UFC on ESPN 6 that he’s seemingly remorseful about it.
Rodriguez (11-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) fights Stephens (28-16 MMA, 15-15 UFC) in Friday’s co-main event in Boston after their first fight ended in a 15-second no contest due to an accidental eye poke suffered by Stephens at UFC on ESPN+ 16 in September. The heat between the two sides has flared up to an intense degree as they run it back, and from one side in particular, there’s been some harsh words.
Stephens said at Tuesday’s open workout that if Rodriguez “doesn’t die, it don’t count.” Those are bold comments even for the fight game, and Rodriguez thinks it’s a reflection on how mentally fragile Stephens is going into that fight – so much so that Rodriguez said he’s not eager to push any more of his opponent’s buttons.
“I think everybody has their own battles to deal with. If he thinks that way, then God bless him, bro, because he’s in the deep (expletive) right here (in his head),” Rodriguez said at Wedneday’s UFC on ESPN 6 media day. “I think he already has a lot of problems in his life and stuff that he has to deal with that I don’t even want to really keep pushing too much into his head. I want him fresh for this fight because he’s a tough opponent and I don’t want him to be weak. He’s just showing me that he’s weak, and I want him fresh. I want you fresh, bro.”
UFC on ESPN 6 takes place Friday at TD Garden in Boston. Rodriguez vs. Stephens co-headlines the card, which airs entirely on ESPN2.
The first fight less than a month ago took place on Rodriguez’s home turf in Mexico City at high elevation. Moreover, it was scheduled for five rounds. Stephens thought he was giving Rodriguez all the advantages in that situation. But with three rounds at play for the rematch, and at sea level, “El Pantera” said he’s only going to be more dangerous.
“I think this fight is completely different,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a completely different opponent because of his mindset. I changed my strategy, as well. If I can fight five rounds in high altitude, I can do three in sea level.”
