After appearing on the Contender Series a few years back and coming up just short, Luis Rodriguez finally made his way to the UFC on Saturday, facing off with Denys Bondar at UFC Mexico City.
At just 24, Rodriguez was a young talent on a five-fight win streak, while Bondar was 0-2 under the UFC banner to start the night.
Bondar started the fight with a feint into a right hand setting up an easy takedown. Rodriguez did give up his back but turned towards his oppnent and stood back up. Bondar right away got the fight back down landing an overhand right into a takedown.
Again, they didn’t stay down long. Rodriguez would throw up his legs for a triangle which helped him scramble back up. Bondar was throwing the jab and finding his shots in the pocket. Showing a bit of diversity Bondar landed a spinning elbow and kick to the body. Rodriguez was landing with more impact which had Bondar shooting. He got the takedown but Rodriguez reversed and ended the round pressing forward.
In round two Bondar was active and landed a nice spinning elbow as Rodriguez came in. Rodriguez was coming forward but was taking damage and then was hit with a takedown. Rodriguez continued to do a good job of not accepting the bottom position and getting back to his feet. Rodriguez landed a hard outside leg kick but was taken down again. As Rodriguez was scrambling Bondar took the back but fell off. Rodriguez then jumped on the back and secured the body triangle. Bondar eventually escaped but Rodriguez kept top position landing short punches. He took the back of Bondar and put the rear-naked choke in. With seconds left Denys Bondar couldn’t hold off and ended up tapping!
Official Result: Luis Rodriguez def. Denys Bondar by Submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 4:59
