Yair Rodriguez is preparing for the biggest fight of his professional MMA career when he takes on UFC Hall Of Fame member BJ Penn at UFC Fight Night 103 in early 2017, but Rodriguez believes he can become a UFC champion in 2017 as well.
“I think the title shot isn’t too far (away),” he told MMA Junkie. “If I keep winning my fights, it’s probably one or two more fights before my title shot. Everyone says, ‘Oh, that’s a lot pressure. That’s not true. It’s just people supporting me. Why – why should I feel pressure. I feel great. I feel amazing. Thank you (for the support).”
Rodriguez (9-1-0) currently sports a 5-0-0 record in the UFC, he won the first season of the UFC Ultimate Fighter: Latin America when he defeated Leonardo Morales in the finals at UFC 180. Rodriguez also headlined a UFC event for the first time in his career, as he defeated Alex Caceres by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 92, it was also the first time that he competed on a “fight night” card in the UFC.
UFC Fight Night 103 takes place on Sunday, January 15 from the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona with Yair Rodriguez and BJ Penn headlining.
