Daniel Rodriguez edges Li Jingliang on the cards in stand up affair at UFC 279
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to us tonight, September 10, 2022, for UFC 279, going down live on pay-per-view from the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Considering former main eventer Khamzat Chimaev (11-0) missed weight by 7.5 lbs, weighing in at 178.5 lbs despite the 171 lb limit, we had a bit of a change in match ups. In fact, there are a record six catchweight contests going down tonight.
The Ultimate Fighter 5 winner Nate Diaz (20-13) was initially slated to face no. 3 ranked Chimaev in the main event but will now face former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson (25-7) in the five round main event of the evening.
Co-headlining the event was supposed to be Ferguson facing no. 14 ranked welterweight contender Li Jingliang (19-7), and Daniel Rodriguez (16-2) was slated against Kevin Holland (23-7-0-1).
In the aftermath of this, Chimaev will face Holland in the five round co-main event of the evening, and Rodriguez will face Jingliang in tonight’s feature fight, marking the first time ever the UFC put on an event with two five round non-title bouts.
Rodriguez could honestly be 17-1 or 18-0, rather than 16-2, as he’s only ever lost two very close, even controversial decisions; while Jingliang has gone 9-3 over his last 12 contests, securing seven of those victories via knockout.
These are two heavy handed boxers that are hard for just about anyone to look good against, and neither man has ever lost via knockout.
Continue reading to see how this catchweight bout went down:
Official Result: Daniel Rodriguez def. Li Jingliang via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
The size difference is immediately evident once the fight starts. It’s obvious Rodriguez weighed in at 179 lbs and Jingliang 170.5.
The two trade body kicks through the early goings, but Jingliang is having a hard time finding Rodriguez’ chin, while Rodriguez is able to land punches of his own, primarily his jab.
Jingliang is able to find his range better in the second, landing with his right hand a number of times, and he stuns Rodriguez toward the end of the round.
The third and final round was very back and forth with each man having success. Jingliang is able to land more right hands, some of which came in combinations, and Rodriguez continued to show off his crisp boxing as well.
This was a pretty close fight that could’ve gone either way, and a great showing from both men. They both showcased solid boxing, good round kicks to the body and head, great head movement, and great endurance.
Daniel Rodriguez is now 17-2 as a professional, and he’s now 7-1 inside the octagon.
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