Yair Rodriguez reflects on win over BJ Penn, what’s next

Earlier this month, streaking featherweight prospect Yair Rodriguez picked up the biggest win of his career as he not only defeated, but TKOd UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn in the main event of their ‘UFC Fight Night: Phoenix’ scrap.

The fight was a particularly dominant one for Yair Rodriguez, who showcased his excellent striking throughout the fight, landing 56 of 113 total strikes at 49%, and landing 55 of 111 significant strikes for a total of 49% compares to Penn landing 7 of 27 total strikes at 25%, and 4 of 22 significant strikes at 18%. In addition to landing more shots, many of Yair Rodriguez’ significant strikes that landed were head kicks, something he doesn’t necessarily feel bad about.

He spoke to TMZ:

“Of course not [I don’t feel bad], when you’re fighting you cannot feel bad about the guy, you have to keep on kicking him, no matter what.”

“Not really [I don’t have anyone in mind], I just want to be prepared for any single fighter that wants to call me out. I’m gonna be waiting to hear about the UFC and what they want to bring for my next fight, but I’m not going to call anybody out, I’m not that kind of fighter. I’m just going to wait until the UFC tells me who they want me to fight, let’s take it from there. I’m not scared of anybody, I’m here to fight the best in the world.”

When asked in a perfect world, who he would like to fight next, ‘Pantera’ stated:

“The champion, doesn’t matter who is the champion, the champion.”

Of course at the present time, Jose Aldo is the UFC featherweight champion, with Max Holloway currently reigning as the interim featherweight champion until the pair can have a scrap for the undisputed 145 pound belt.

For Rodriguez, while he may be prepared to accept a fight with anyone the UFC puts in front of him, he is currently on the sidelines indefinitely per the UFC Phoenix medical suspensions.

on 1/19/2017.