Daniel “D-Rod” Rodriguez’s short-notice 180-pound catchweight matchup against Kevin Holland serves two purposes for the returning fighter. First of all, it’s a chance to settle a long-standing beef between the two accomplished trash-talkers. Secondly, he feels that their inevitable “war” will be “the real main event” of UFC 279, as Rodriguez told MMAFighting.
“Since being injured, that name has been thrown at me so much. This fight is for the fans if you ask me. I think we’re the real main event as far as matchups go. This f****** fight has got me really excited, I’m excited to get back at the T-Mobile Arena, and I think we helped the card get a little bit better. In fact, I think we helped make that card f****** dope.
Rodriguez: Holland Fight is “The Real Main Event” at UFC 279
I’m excited to see how much the fans are excited to see a f****** war.” Daniel Rodriguez made his promotional debut back in 2020, and was one of the UFC’s most active middleweights until he injured his hand in August last year. Kevin Holland moved up to the welterweight division in March this year, amassing two consecutive victories at 170 pounds. D-Rod and Holland have been trading barbs for a while now, and this chance gives them the chance to “squash a little beef”.
“They could’ve asked me to fight f****** anybody and I would’ve said yes, but luck of the draw right there. Me and him get to squash a little beef. I was scheduled to fight him in my second [UFC] fight, he got injured, he’s been talking s***, and I get to do it’s time for me to speak with my hands.
There’s only been a handful of guys trying to call me out, trying to fight me, and I respect being called out. I accept the challenge in every way, but I just didn’t like how he was calling me out when I was injured and I couldn’t do s*** about it. I’m 100 percent now and I accept the challenge.”
The fight will mark Rodriguez’s return to competition after a year away. The Kevin Lee fight marked his third consecutive victory, and Rodriguez will enter the Octagon with six wins in his last seven fight. He plans on extending his winning streak this Saturday.
“[The headline will read] D-Rod’s comeback, he went out there and dominated. I can’t tell you how I’m going to win the fight, I just know I’m going to win the fight.” Do you agree with Daniel Rodriguez? Let us know in the comments.
