Christian Rodriguez and Josh Weems kicked off the UFC Vegas 63 card in Las Vegas on Saturday, with Weems stepping into the fight on just a few days’ notice.
That’s likely why he also missed weight for the match-up, coming in 3.5lbs over the bantamweight limit for his octagon debut.
Rodriguez showed a bit of flash early, connecting about a minute in with a spinning back fist. He kept Weems on the outside, back to the fence. Moments later, Rodriguez moved in for a jump knee, which led to some clinch work; Rodriguez would get underhooks and put Weems back against the cage. Weems reversed, however, and dropped for a leg. He couldn’t secure the takedown there, and they continued to reverse positions until Weems finally got the fight down.
Landing in side control, Weems couldn’t keep the fight down. They’d get back up, and in the next takedown sequence, it was Rodriguez getting in control care of a sweep. He locked up an anaconda choke from there, and it was in tight. Weems, possibly still feeling the effects of a tough weight cut, had no choice but to tap.
After taking his first UFC bout at featherweight, it was a successful return to 135lbs for Rodriguez on Saturday.
Official Result: Christian Rodriguez def. Josh Weems by submission (anaconda choke), Round 1, 4:07
