MMA Preview – Yair Rodriguez vs Jeremy Stephens at UFC on ESPN 6
THE FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 6? Saturday 19th October, 2019 - 00:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 6? TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
What channel is UFC on ESPN 6? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 6? 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 on ESPN 6? https://www.ufc.com/tickets
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
Their highly anticipated meeting back in September lasted just 15 seconds when Jeremy Stephens could not continue to fight after getting poked in the eye by Yair Rodriguez, creating one of the biggest anti-climaxes in memory. Leaving Mexico, they now resume the battle in Boston with added beef and heat in the fire.
Just like the crowd in Mexico City, Rodriguez’ reaction was baffling and even had choice words for the veteran scrapper. Thankfully he has agreed to a quick turn-around to regain momentum. After getting a mauling from Frankie Edgar he responded with one of the most spectacular knockouts in UFC history against 'The Korean Zombie' Chan Sung Jung. After being down on the judges scorecards, Rodriguez pulled off a miraculous up elbow in the last second of the fifth and final round to steal the victory.
Jeremy Stephens is as game as it gets and if he was able to fight on after the eye poke, he absolutely would have. He is a true UFC vet making his UFC debut all the way back in 2007 and 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 has collected notable scalps including: Rafael dos Anjos, Rony Jason, Dennis Bermudez, Doo Ho Choi and Josh Emmett. However, after breaking Emmett’s face, Stephens is on a two-fight skid, albeit 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 and, 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.
