MMA Preview – Brian Ortega vs Yair Rodriguez at UFC on ABC 3
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BRIAN ORTEGA VS YAIR RODRIGUEZ FACTS
When is UFC on ABC 3? Sunday 17th July, 2022 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ABC 3? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ABC 3? Click here to buy tickets for UFC on ABC 3
What channel is UFC on ABC 3 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC ABC 3? 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!
BRIAN ORTEGA VS YAIR RODRIGUEZ LOWDOWN
Brian Ortega (15-2(1)) returns after his epic scrap with the featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski. He lost a unanimous decision back in September last year which was the deserving ‘Fight of the Night’. Ortega gave the champ everything and even locked up a couple tight chokes but could not seal the deal. That came after his best performance to date finishing Chan Sung Jung (2020). It was not a vintage submission, but a unanimous decision where he went toe-to-toe with the Korean Zombie on the feet and frankly outclassed him which was surprising to see. That came after getting schooled by Max Holloway (2018) in his first title shot and now begins his third march.
Yair Rodriguez (13-3(1)) is still on his first quest for featherweight gold which was halted by Holloway (2021) in his last fight. His lack of activity also has not helped his progress. After his humbling loss to Frankie Edgar (2017), he has only fought four times. Nobody can forget his fight the following year with the Korean Zombie who was just about to cross the finishing line and earn a decision before Rodriguez popped off that mesmerizing elbow in the last second of the fifth round. He then outpointed Jeremy Stephens (2019) after their first fight never got going due to an eye poke. Two years went by after that win before we saw him again serving a ban for not making himself available for drug tests. He eventually met Holloway and put on a fight for the ages but fell short in a unanimous decision.
BRIAN ORTEGA VS YAIR RODRIGUEZ PREDICTION
What a match-up this is. Ortega’s improvement in his striking makes this very interesting. Rodriguez is still a level above on the feet, but he will be giving up three inches in height and reach.
The division is littered with elite strikers and Rodriguez is one of the best, particularly with his kicks which will be crucial to keeping the distance. Ortega is lethal in the pocket with good boxing and dangerous elbows. Closing the distance also makes a takedown easier which willl drag the fight into his domain.
He has some of the best jiu-jitsu on the entire roster, and although we expect the majority of this fight to play out on the feet, Ortega will pounce on any opportunity to tangle with Rodriguez. Ortega will want to make this chaotic, exchanging a variety of strikes in the pocket hoping to land something clean or create a scramble to jump on a guillotine or triangle choke.
However, exchanging with Rodriguez is not smart unless you have the skill of the likes of Holloway. We expect Rodriguez to pepper Ortega from range with an array of kicks and switching his stance to fire off his jab and 1-2’s. He has great movement and will try frustrate Ortega to make him rush in to close the distance and walk on to a vicious counter.
As we know, Ortega is incredibly tough and only needs a split second to finish the fight, whether that be a choke or an elbow. He can only pull that off if he closes the distance and Rodriguez is masterful at maintaining it which swing this slightly in favour for us.
Over five rounds, we expect Ortega to land and there will be opportunities where Rodriguez will dangle his head out making him vulnerable to a guillotine. So, this is tough to call, but is destined to be another epic battle.
An Ortega submission is worth a punt, but if he remains the favourite, Rodriguez is the value bet.
Prediction: Rodriguez via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Rodriguez to win
