MMA Preview – Kevin Lee vs Daniel Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 35
KEVIN LEE VS DANIEL RODRIGUEZ FACTS
When is UFC Vegas 35? Sunday 29th August, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Vegas 35? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Vegas 35? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC Vegas 35 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Vegas 35? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
KEVIN LEE VS DANIEL RODRIGUEZ LOWDOWN
Kevin Lee (18-6) is one of the best examples of a ‘tweener’ where his perfect fighting weight lies between two weight classes. He has always struggled to cut to the lightweight mark of 155 lbs although it was hard to notice when he steamrolled and submitted the likes of Magomed Mustafaev, Francisco Trinaldo and Michael Chiesa. However, his form has been patchy to say the least since. He got submitted by Tony Ferguson, came back to grind out and TKO Edson Barboza but lost a unanimous decision to Al Iaquinta. He then tried his hand up at welterweight but Rafael dos Anjos throw him back down to lightweight with a fourth-round submission. Lee then pulled off one of the most brutal head kick knockouts in UFC history against Gregor Gillespie but is coming off another submission loss to the current champ Charles Oliveira.
Daniel Rodriguez’s (15-2) only blip in consistency came against Nicolas Dalby in his fourth UFC fight back in November last year. Besides that unanimous decision loss, he has continued to impress. He set the benchmark high on his UFC debut, stepping up on short notice to submit the veteran Tim Means. He followed that up with a unanimous decision over Gabriel Green and starching Dwight Grant. He bounced back from the loss with a classy unanimous decision over Mike Perry and is coming off his eighth knockout victory which came over Preston Parsons in July.
KEVIN LEE VS DANIEL RODRIGUEZ PREDICTION
It is always hard to predict how Lee will turn up. He seems to have the same chance of being humbled and creating a highlight reel finish. At welterweight, the chances of being humbled increase especially when he was scheduled to fight Sean Brady.
Rodriguez steps up providing a different stylistic match-up. He is the better striker and will be the bigger, taller man, but will be giving up a three-inch reach advantage. Rodriguez is an excellent striker and incredibly durable. Despite the head kick from hell Lee delivered, you have to back Rodriguez in the stand-up battle who should be able to land on Lee relatively easily from his southpaw stance.
That kick will still make Rodriguez think and Lee will threaten with leg kicks and his jab. These will serve him well in setting up the takedown. Even though Rodriguez is the bigger man, Lee has the technique and strength to control him on the mat and punce on the back at any opportunity.
Rodriguez has a respectable 83% takedown defence, but he has not fought a wrestler like Lee before. In fact, only Perry and Means are the only fighters who have tried to take him down so it remains to be seen whether he can fend off a fighter like Lee.
Rodriguez has all of the momentum and Lee is coming back from to ACL tears in both knees. They are career threateners and although he has the ability to wrestle Rodriguez for three rounds and pull off a huge win, we are backing the form fighter and natural welterweight Rodriguez who may even pull off the knockout.
Prediction: Rodriguez via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Prediction: Rodriguez to win
