Tag: Jeremy Stephens

A tremendous featherweight matchup between Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens headlines UFC Mexico City tomorrow night (Sat. September 21, 2019). All the action goes down from the Mexico City Arena in Mexico City, Mexico.

In the main event of the night, Yair Rodriguez takes on Jeremy Stephens in a highly-anticipated featherweight clash. We here at LowKickMMA have compiled our predictions for tomorrow night’s card. Check them out below.

UFC Mexico City Staff Predictions

Jon Fuentes:

This is going to be a war. Both guys are finishers, but I have a funny feeling this one goes the distance. I’m expecting a dog fight tomorrow night, but given the long layoff from Rodriguez, and the fact that Stephens has been way more active as of late, I’m going to go with Stephens getting the job done on the judges’ scorecards by a very close margin. (Prediction: Jeremy Stephens)

Abhinav Kini:

It might be surprising that some have Jeremy Stephens as the favorite but I think that makes sense. Yair Rodriguez has only fought twice since 2017 and this is his first fight in nearly a year. He was losing comfortably against Korean Zombie until the last second and I think that should give Stephens confidence. Stephens tends to lose to the more technical strikers, but I think having trained with Tony Ferguson recently and this being a five-rounder plays to his advantage. (Prediction: Jeremy Stephens)

Andrew Ravens:

Rodriguez should win this fight but I don’t see it being an easy one as Stephens will give him his toughest challenge to date. The UFC prospect has won an impressive nine of his last ten fights and currently boasts a record of 11-2. Stephens has lost two straight. Rodriguez walks away with the decision win. (Prediction: Yair Rodriguez)

Brady Briggs:

This is a really compelling fight between two top 10 featherweights. Stephens certainly has the power advantage, and can end the fight with any limb he chooses. On the other hand, we have the flashy, yet effective taekwondo of Rodriguez. He’s great at circling the outside and picking his opponents apart to a decision, or picks them apart until he knocks them out. Stephens has tightened his game up quite a bit in recent years, I believe his power and experience will be too much. (Prediction: Jeremy Stephens)

Cole Shelton:

Yair Rodriguez vs. Jeremy Stephens is a hell of a fight. Yair is obviously the flashier striker while Stephens has the one-punch knockout power. We have seen Yair get hit a ton, especially in his last fight, and Stephens has all the skillset to knock him out, or possibly use his wrestling similar to what Edgar did.

If this was a three-round fight I’d pick Stephens. But in five rounds and in Mexico, I see Yair winning by decision. (Prediction: Yair Rodriguez)

What do you think about our predictions? Who are you picking?

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This coming weekend at UFC on ESPN+ 17, we have a great five-round main event in the UFC featherweight division between Jeremy “Lil Heathen” Stephens and Yair “El Pantera” Rodriguez.

Both guys are generally strikers, and both typically look for the knockout. Rodriguez is a little more tactical with his skillset, and Stephens has the power advantage. Stephens came to the UFC back in 2007. He actually debuted on his birthday against Din Thomas, a fight he’d lose via submission (armbar) in round two.

He then scored a knockout win in MCC, before coming back to the UFC. “Lil Heathen” has always been a viciously powerful individual, and he’s really sharpened up his game since he started. He boasts 19 knockouts in 28 wins and has UFC knockout victories via flying knee, head kick, punch(es), and an elbow. He can literally starch whoever he’s fighting at any given moment with any limb he chooses.

Yair Rodriguez came to the UFC in 2014 after winning The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America. He went 2-0 on the show with victories via triangle choke and TKO, before he won his season via unanimous decision. Rodriguez won his next two fights via decision and scored one of the most lethal head kick knockouts you’ll ever see in this sport over Andre Fili. He went on to win his next two fights before getting stopped by former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar – his only loss in the UFC to date.

Since then, which was in May of 2017, Rodriguez has only fought once because of a contract dispute, which is unfortunate given his age. At only 26-years-old however, maybe it’s a good thing, he was most likely in the gym polishing up what needed to be worked on.

Rodriguez boasts wins over Andre Fili, Dan Hooker, Alex Caceres, BJ Penn, and Chan Sung Jung, three of which were knockouts; while Stephens’ most notable wins are over Rafael dos Anjos, Dennis Bermudez, Gilbert Melendez, Darren Elkins, Renan Barao, Doo Ho Choi, and Josh Emmett, four of which are via knockout.

It’ll be interesting to see if the experience has anything to do with this fight. Stephens hasn’t lost too many stand-up affairs, and neither has Rodriguez. “Lil Heathen” seemed to be hitting his peak a little over a year ago during his most recent win streak, he was even the favorite going into his fight with Jose Aldo, which is pretty remarkable. He’d just looked better than ever while dismantling Melendez, Emmett, and Choi.

Will we see that Stephens again? Or will the footwork and flashy striking of Taekwondo black belt Yair Rodriguez be too much?

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