Levi Rodrigues
Baby Monster
Brazil
Finished in UFC debut
Rodrigues lost to Felipe Franco via TKO (punches) at 1:40 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Oklahoma City.
ANALYSIS
Rodrigues earned his UFC opportunity with a knockout win on Dana White's Contender Series in October. The win was later changed to a no-contest after Rodrigues failed a post-fight drug test, but the company still gave him a shot here. Rodrigues looked fine for about three minutes before badly gassing out. He was mounted late in the opening frame but managed to survive. Levi found himself in the same position early in Round 2 and this time referee Blake Grice pulled the plug. It's exceedingly rare for a fighter to be one-and-done with the UFC these days, but Rodrigues has a very unique set of circumstances. It's probably 50/50 if we see him in the octagon again.
Rodrigues earned his UFC opportunity with a knockout win on Dana White's Contender Series in October. The win was later changed to a no-contest after Rodrigues failed a post-fight drug test, but the company still gave him a shot here. Rodrigues looked fine for about three minutes before badly gassing out. He was mounted late in the opening frame but managed to survive. Levi found himself in the same position early in Round 2 and this time referee Blake Grice pulled the plug. It's exceedingly rare for a fighter to be one-and-done with the UFC these days, but Rodrigues has a very unique set of circumstances. It's probably 50/50 if we see him in the octagon again.
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Set for debut fight
Rodrigues will fight Felipe Franco at UFC Oklahoma City on July 18, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Rodrigues was awarded a UFC contract at Dana White's Contender Series in October following a first round TKO of Freddy Vidal. The fight ended up being overturned to a no-contest after Rodrigues failed a drug test for using a banned substance surrounding his fight. Rodrigues was handed a nine-month suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission, which expires July 14, as his contract with the UFC remains true. Franco dropped his debut fight to Mario Pinto in March. Both he and Rodrigues will be in search of their first win in the promotion.
Rodrigues was awarded a UFC contract at Dana White's Contender Series in October following a first round TKO of Freddy Vidal. The fight ended up being overturned to a no-contest after Rodrigues failed a drug test for using a banned substance surrounding his fight. Rodrigues was handed a nine-month suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission, which expires July 14, as his contract with the UFC remains true. Franco dropped his debut fight to Mario Pinto in March. Both he and Rodrigues will be in search of their first win in the promotion.
Earns contract by swinging big
Rodrigues defeated Freddy Vidal via TKO (knees and punches) at 3:20 of Round 1 at Dana White's Contender Series on Tuesday. After the show, he was one of five fighters to be officially awarded a UFC contract.
ANALYSIS
We didn't get to see much from either competitor in this one, as Vidal began the contest by pressing Rodrigues up against the cage. After breaking away, Rodrigues connected with a punch from his hip on the side of his opponent's head, leading to the finish. Rodrigues doesn't have much experience at just 6-0-0, but he hits hard and has finished all six of his victories by KO/TKO. This, combined with solid takedown defense, could give him a chance to succeed at light heavyweight.
We didn't get to see much from either competitor in this one, as Vidal began the contest by pressing Rodrigues up against the cage. After breaking away, Rodrigues connected with a punch from his hip on the side of his opponent's head, leading to the finish. Rodrigues doesn't have much experience at just 6-0-0, but he hits hard and has finished all six of his victories by KO/TKO. This, combined with solid takedown defense, could give him a chance to succeed at light heavyweight.