Introduction
Tuesday, October 7th, Mexican flyweight prospect Imanol Rodriguez will be in action for Dana White’s Contender Series, where he will be looking continue his winning ways against Roque Junior. He will be looking for another win, as Rodriguez looks to score a UFC contract. He represents Team Blackxicans, a solid camp in MMA. Let’s take a closer look at this prospect as this week’s “Prospect Spotlight.”
Strengths
Boxing: As seen on his time on the Ultimate Fighter, Rodriguez has hands. While he does throw kicks and other techniques, his boxing is really his key to victory.
Toughness: Rodriguez, like most Mexican fighters, is very tough and can rise to the occasion when put in a tough spot. He has solid takedown defense and grappling defense, though it was seen as his weakness (more on that later). He can physically accept a lot of damage and keep going, which is a mentality that not everyone has. Overall, he is a tough out.
Needs Improvement
Continued Counter-Wrestling: Rodriguez is certainly a rounded fighter, but as shown on TUF, his counter-wrestling can be exposed. His loss to eventual winner Joseph Morales was a valiant outing where he largely shut Morales down, but he did show holes in his wrestling defense that could be exposed, especially as he goes up the fight ladder where there are more world-class wrestlers.
Outlook
UFC Midcarder: Rodriguez is only 25 years old and he’s already seemingly a standout prospect given that this year alone, he will have competed on both The Ultimate Fighter and Dana White’s Contender Series. That’s with only five pro fights to his resume. He showed he can hang with tough vets like eventual TUF winner Joseph Morales, meaning he is already tough and continuing to grow. He has a tough late-notice opportunity here against Roque Junior. Win or lose, I think Rodriguez is a guy that will make the UFC roster some day and be successful.
MMA Intel 