UFC Vegas 42 is in the books and Max Holloway has successfully turned another featherweight contender away.
Inside the UFC Vegas Apex, the #1-ranked Max Holloway put his record and a possible title shot on the line when he clashed with Mexico’s Yair Rodriguez. The UFC Vegas 42 main event went all five rounds. While Max Holloway was massively favored to win the contest, “El Pantera” would prove oddsmakers were way off the mark with this featherweight scrap.
Following Holloway’s two losses to featherweight titleholder Alexander Volkanovski, “Blessed” has fired off back-to-back victories. First, the Hawaiian stand-up artist painted a masterpiece out of Calvin Katter. In particular, the former champion landed a significant strikes record against the New England Cartel member. After earning ‘Fight of the Night’ honors against Kattar, Holloway would continue his bonus streak over the weekend when he was tasked with fighting Rodriguez.
Yair Rodriguez returned at UFC Vegas 42 after a two-year hiatus. While many were doubtful due to the possibility of ring rust, the Mexico native would prove the majority wrong with a blood-and-guts performance against “Blessed”. Despite not winning the contest, “El Pantera” left the contest bloody and bruised but with his dignity intact.
Prior to being paired with the #1-ranked featherweight in the world, Rodriguez was riding a two-fight winning streak. The 29-year-old, similar to Holloway, also picked up a bonus in his last two successful contests. First, Rodriguez would shock the world with a wild spinning elbow KO against Chan Sung Jung AKA The Korean Zombie. Then, Rodriguez earned a bonus against Jeremy Stephens after their 2019 rematch.
In addition to the wild main event, the co-main event delivered too albeit with some controversy mixed in the results. Heavyweight slugger Marcos Rogério de Lima was paired against perennial contender Kenosha, Wisconsin’s Ben Rothwell. After Rogério de Lima uncorked a volley of punches, it appeared Rothwell was crumbling under the pressure. However, as he fell to the ground after absorbing some nasty hooks, referee Herb Dean struggled to react and ended up grabbing the hips of Rogério de Lima. While he let the contest go on for a few more seconds, eventually Herb Dean found an opening and stopped the fight.
This dude is a liability… 😂🤦🏻♂️#UFCVegas42
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) November 13, 2021
While the card lacked some star potential, it certainly made up for it with some amazing fights. With Max Holloway on a 2-fight winning streak, it will be interesting to see if/when the UFC decides to put on a potential trilogy bout down the line.
UFC Vegas 42 Holloway Decisions Rodriguez – Fighters React
Max inside 4 rounds #UFCVegas42
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) November 13, 2021
Yair looking really strong. #UFCVegas42
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) November 13, 2021
Incredible fight … I’m glad I was wrong , I enjoyed every second , big props to Yair for staying in there , Max for the win 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻❤️
— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) November 13, 2021
Max vs Nate at 155 would b fire
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) November 15, 2021
Great fight
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) November 13, 2021
What a fight!! @panteraufc is showing heart! @BlessedMMA is a machine! #UFCVegas42
— Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) November 13, 2021
Great round!! @panteraufc standing his ground and not letting max get going #UFCVegas42
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) November 13, 2021
Great fight!! Very competitive…well done lads 👏 #UFCVegas42
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) November 13, 2021
What did you make of Max Holloway’s performance at UFC Vegas 42?
