Poland’s Marcin Prachnio, a veteran of ONE Championship, entered UFC Vegas 7 looking for his first win in the octagon, after coming up short twice previously. On the shelf since 2018, Prachnio was returning against Mike Rodriguez, who was looking for his first win since that same year.
The fight was a serviceable enough bout, that on another card might have found itself further down the roster. But at an event ravaged by bad luck, featuring multiple withdrawals and the loss of it’s co-headliner just hours out from start time, Rodriguez vs. Prachnio was actually the penultimate fight of the night. With Ovince Saint Preux pulled from the card due to a positive COVID-19 test, this light heavyweight affair was the new co-main event.
Prachnio started the first round by going to the legs early and often. After working from distance for some time, they wound up in the clinch and that’s where Mike Rodriguez went to work. He threw knees and elbows non-stop until a devastating elbow landed on the button. A follow up shot or two was all that was needed for Rodriguez to clinch the win. A big one, his first since 2018! Nothing “slow” about that, which may have Rodriguez looking for a new nickname.
Coming up LARGE! @MRodMMA with the biggest win of his UFC career.#UFCVegas7 finishes up on @ESPN & #ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/Xmg8TohAXH
— UFC (@ufc) August 23, 2020
Official Result: Mike Rodriguez def. Marcin Prachnio by TKO (Elbows), Round 1, 2:17
