Flyweight action on the UFC 274 preliminary card in Phoenix, AZ on Saturday saw a pair of Contender Series winners face off.
Brazil’s Kleydson Rodrigues was making his promotional debut in the fight, while C.J. Vergara was looking for his first win in the UFC, after falling short in his own debut last November.
There was pressure from Vergara right out of the gate, and Rodrigues tried to counter with a missed flying knee. Vergara stayed in the face moving his head and going to the body. He did over-commit and Rodrigues took him down. Not for long though as Vergara got right back to his feet. Some good kicks to the body from Rodrigues landed as Vergara kept marching forward. Rodrigues was landing more and more with his hands, mainly with combinations.
In round two Vergara came forward with pressure and hurt Rodrigues with a body kick. Rodrigues changed levels for the takedown but Vergara turned towards him and got on top. He landed in mount for a moment but settled in full guard. Vergara got off some nice short elbows. Rodrigues had no answer off his back and allowed Vergara to mount and take his back. Rodrigues did turn towards Vergara and get top position and stood back up. The Brazilian closed out the round with a glancing head kick, spinning back fist, and a jumping elbow.
In the final round Vergara was pressing forward and Rodrigues was throwing a lot of kicks. Rodrigues did catch Vergara with a huge counter right but he ate it no problem. Vergara sort of dropped his opponent with a jumping knee but fell backward and Rodrigues took the back. Vergara eventually turned towards him but Rodrigues reversed to get back on top. The fight would resume standing and a missed takedown attempt from Rodrigues followed. Rodrigues was swinging for the fences at the final bell and missed another takedown to close the fight.
After a frantic three-round affair, Vergara took it on the scorecards, and told Joe Rogan that “That’s where I thrive most, in chaos.” It certainly rang true in Phoenix on Saturday.
Official Result: C.J. Vergara def. Kleydson Rodrigues by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
