UFC ‘Boston’ Clash: Rodriguez Vs. Stephens!

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Featherweight knockout artists Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens will rematch tomorrow night (Fri., Oct. 18, 2019) at UFC on ESPN 6 from inside TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Less than one month ago, Rodriguez and Stephens met each other in the center of the Octagon. Rodriguez landed a couple quick kicks, and then slashed Stephens across the eye with an open hand. After five excruciating minutes, the bout was called off, and the Mexican crowd showered the Octagon with beer and plastic containers (watch it). The ugly situation grew worse over the following days, as Rodriguez — the man who committed the foul — accused Stephens of cowardice and was later shoved by “Lil Heathen.” Thankfully, the rematch has been booked quickly, and hopefully we can get a real fight out of it this time.

Let’s take recap the keys to victory for each man:

Yair Rodriguez

Record: 11-2 (1)
Key Wins: Chan Sung Jung (UFC Fight Night 139), Andre Fili (UFC 197), Charles Rosa (UFC 188), Dan Hooker (UFC 192), BJ Penn (UFC Fight Night 103)
Key Losses: Frankie Edgar (UFC 211)
Keys to Victory: There is a method to Rodriguez’s high-flying madness. The Taekwondo black belt wants plenty of distance to work — that’s where his deep arsenal of crazy kicks is at its most effective — and does an admirable job of making it dangerous to pressure forward against his offense.

First and foremost, Rodriguez should take a very obvious note from Zabit Magomedsharipov and spend a good amount of time in the Southpaw stance. Like “Zabeast,” Rodriguez is a switch-stance fighter who tends to prefer Orthodox. However, switching to Southpaw helps nullify Stephens’ nasty calf kick, which will make Rodriguez’s life far easier. In addition, open stance engagements tend to favor fighters who throw quick crosses down the middle.

Stephens loves to loop his right hand.

The stance switch alone will greatly improve Rodriguez’s defense. Otherwise, Rodriguez can copy many fighters in how they’ve taken out Stephens, which is namely lateral movement and direction changes. Stephens simply does not cut off the cage that well, and Rodriguez has the natural speed and distance techniques to make him pay for it at range — so long as he keeps moving.

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Jeremy Stephens

Record: 28-16 (1)
Key Wins: Doo Ho Choi (UFC Fight Night 124), Josh Emmett (UFC on FOX 28), Renan Barao (UFC Fight Night 88), Dennis Bermudez (UFC 189), Darren Elkins (UFC on FOX 10)
Key Losses: Max Holloway (UFC 194), Jose Aldo (UFC on FOX 30), Zabit Magomedsharipov (UFC 235), Frankie Edgar (UFC 205)
Keys to Victory: Stephens has fought an absurdly high level of competition over the last five years. Despite some technical improvements to his kicking and overall strategy, Stephens, at heart, remains the same as ever: a hard-nosed bruiser with disgusting punching power.

If there’s a singular key here for Stephens, I have to believe it’s to avoid loading up too heavily on his punches. Even though the additional two rounds in their first encounter would’ve given him an extra 10 minutes to land a haymaker, Stephens should remain composed even in a three-round fight. He’s experienced, durable and well-conditioned. There’s simply no need to be swinging for the fences inside the first five minutes, which will more than likely result in wasted energy.

Cutting off the cage properly and hammering the calf should be Stephens’ early priorities. The more he’s able to effectively limit Rodriguez’s movement with his own footwork and damage, the more chances he’ll have to crack “Pantera.” In short, Stephens hits absurdly hard, and Rodriguez is not impossible to punch in the face. If Stephens properly waits for his opportunities, he’ll have a better chance at capitalizing upon them.

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The Match Up

Even before all the personal drama that resulted from the rematch, this is an excellent match up.

For Rodriguez, this bout serves as an opportunity to really break back into the Featherweight title mix. If he’s victorious against Stephens — particularly if he manages to finish the durable veteran — he’s just another win or two away from a shot at the title. Perhaps that cursed bout with Magomedsharipov could finally be booked again? Either way, victory proves that Rodriguez deserves his high ranking and is ready to attempt to climb the ladder once more.

As for Stephens, he’s in a very interesting and difficult position. He’s lost his previous two bouts, which does put some pressure on “Lil Heathen” even if the two men to defeat him are currently ranked inside the Top 5. However, a big victory over Rodriguez would also be one of the better wins of Stephens’ career, something that could even catapult him back into the title mix.

There’s a lot at stake for both men, who will certainly bring the action — which will hopefully be eye poke-free!

Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC on ESPN 6 fight card this weekend right HERE, starting with the ESPN 2 “Prelims” that are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET, then the main card portion that will air on ESPN proper at 9 p.m. ET.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC on ESPN 6: “Weidman vs. Reyes” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.

At UFC on ESPN 6, Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens will settle their bad blood. Which man will remain standing when the dust settles?