MMA Preview – Yair Rodriguez vs Jeremy Stephens at UFC Fight Night 159
THE FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 159? Saturday 21st September, 2019 – 23:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 159? Mexico City Arena, Mexico City
What channel is UFC Fight Night 159? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 159? 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+ which can you sign up to here!
Are tickets still available for UFC Fight Night 159? https://www.ufc.com/tickets
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
The Mexican highlight reel graces the Mexico City Arena for another mouth-watering main event. Yair Rodriguez returns to take on Jeremy Stephens to put on a show and continue his quest up the featherweight rankings.
Rodriguez blazed into the UFC back in 2014 when he was just 22 years old. He won his first six fights and was making a lot of noise due to his electrifying style but took on a challenge too steep in the form of Frankie Edgar who took him down and mauled him for five rounds and finishing him via TKO. That was in May 2017 and he has only fought once since which began as the ‘fight of the night’ and ended with one of the most spectacular knockouts in UFC history – an elbow in the last second to steal victory from Chan Sung Jung.
Jeremy Stephens is a true UFC veteran making his UFC debut all the way back in 2007. He has compiled 30 fights going on 15-15 which is not bad considering he was fighting when there was no featherweight division. He is a true knockout artist and collected notable scalps including; Rafael dos Anjos, Rony Jason, Dennis Bermudez, Doo Ho Choi and Josh Emmett. However, after breaking Emmett’s skull, Stephens is on a two-fight skid to monsters Jose Aldo and Zabit Magomedsharipov.
THE PREDICTION
Rodriguez is going to try and pick Stephens apart on the feet and pull out all of his tricks to hurt him from range. Stephens only gives up two inches in arm reach and three in leg reach but it is how Rodriguez covers distance that will be the difference.
Stephens is one of the hardest hitters in the division but Rodriguez is likely to frustrate him by circling and hopping in and out of range with kicks and combinations. Stephens just needs to land once but if Rodriguez can fight patiently he can gradually pile on the damage. As it is five rounds, he may even pull off a late finish.
Winner: Rodriguez via KO/TKO
Striking and grappling stats sourced via FightMetric.
Promo made by Artur's Fight and Motor TV:
