Why UFC featherweight Yair Rodriguez can't stop, won't stop taking risks
No one takes more high-flying risks as a matter of course during a fight than UFC featherweight contender Yair Rodriguez. He admits that people have been trying to tell him to be more orthodox for his entire career.
"It's just the Yair Rodriguez style. I cannot do another style because it's just the way that I fight," he told MMA Junkie after earning a knockout victory over Andre Fili, Saturday.
"It's the way that I'm used to fighting since I was a kid."
With that said, the young fighter isn't opposed to also employing more traditional, fundamental techniques. For now, he admits that his high-risk, unpredictable maneuvers bridge the gap to effectiveness for him as he works to become a better fighter.
"Of course I try to practice more of my basics," he continued.
"I know my boxing is not that good yet. I'm getting on it, and I work every day to be like less flashy, but for now, I want to try and be the same Yair Rodriguez as always."
That flashiness paid off again, at UFC 197, in the form of a well-timed flying roundhouse kick to the head. As reckless as Rodriguez looks, sometimes, he is still calculated.
"I knew the guy was coming after me. I know he is pretty aggressive, and I was waiting for him," he explained.
"I just took that shot."
