It was a one-sided bout between Daniel Rodriguez and Mike Perry at UFC Vegas 23 as Rodriguez dominated on the feet, fighting off a couple of takedowns from Perry.
A new, more restrained Mike Perry appeared during the UFC Vegas 23 fight week. Contemplative, thoughtful. “Platinum” Poppa, if you prefer. Fatherhood appears to have changed Mike Perry, but would it motivate him to push past Daniel Rodriguez, one of the breakout fighters of 2020?
Perry was working his kicks in the early goings of the fight, going low a few times and firing one up high. A left hand landed for Rodriguez followed by a Perry counter-right. A left hand wobbled Perry, then he landed a right hand of his own. The left hand of Rodriguez was finding its home, snapping Perry’s head back several times. Perry halted Rodriguez’s momentum with a slam takedown, forcing Rodriguez to work his way back to full guard. It was quickly passed by Perry, and he spent the rest of the round in half guard.
Rodriguez opened the second round with a solid body kick and Perry answered with one of his own. Perry caught Rodriguez with a short right hand, then Rodriguez fired in two crisp jabs on the button. Perry was getting pieced up on the feet, prompting a second takedown for him. This time, Rodriguez was able to stand up quickly. A right hand landed for Perry, but it was all Rodriguez on the feet. With 30 seconds left in the round, Perry shot for a takedown that was defended for the first time in the fight.
Perry shot for a takedown in the early going and was defended soundly. He had nothing to offer Rodriguez on the feet aside from a stationary target to tee off on. Rodriguez continued to land left hands right on the chin of Perry with little resistance, taking home a decision victory to get back in the win column.
Daniel Rodriguez def. Mike Perry by Unanimous Decision (30-27 x2, 30-26)
