Imanol Rodriguez is not afraid to be bold. The Mexican prospect has yet to make his UFC debut, but he’s already putting the champion of his division in his sights.
Having earned a UFC contract through this season of Dana White Contender Series, the sole focus for Rodriguez (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is to become a threat to Alexandre Pantoja, the current UFC flyweight champion. It might sound like an ambitious goal at this moment, but Rodriguez feels his ascension in the UFC won’t take long, and he wants to catch everyone’s attention at 125 pounds, including the champion, in the process.
“The level is very high, very competitive, and that motivates me to grow,” Rodriguez said in Spanish, speaking with Hablemos MMA. “Brandon Moreno’s part, which he opened the gates for us, ‘Si se puede (you can do it),’ also motivates me. There’s only one path: hard work, fighting, and looking to become a problem in their eyes. That’s what I want to do. I want to become a problem for the division, a problem for Pantoja. I’m making that push, and why not be fighting the top guys in a relatively short time?”
Rodriguez trains out of The Academy Fight Club in Gilroy, California – a team that former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier recently launched. Being undefeated, having fought in TUF, and being associated with Cormier has brought a great deal of attention to Rodriguez. Although he’s been enjoying it and is thankful for it, he’s also been made aware of the responsibility he now carries.
“I love what I do, but I do have to tell you that the pressure is a lot,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a pressure that you feel and that I’m not really used to. All this is new to me. I’ve trained all my life, I’ve been doing this all my life. But the cameras, the social media, signing things, and having this focus on me, it can be little uncomfortable. It’s a little uncomfortable being careful with your worlds or your steps. I’m a chill guy. I like being with my parents, my friends, and just relaxing, but you still have to watch what you say and what you do, and be respectful. Not because I’m a bad guy, it’s just you still have to be more careful now.”
Prior to DWCS, Rodriguez competed on Season 33 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” but was eliminated in the semifinals by Joseph Morales. He hopes to get the rematch at some point in his career, but for now, he’s just eager to get in the octagon. He welcomes any short-notice opportunities that arise in the UFC.
“I’m ready. Like I said, if there’s a way I can fight the 15th of November, I want to fight,” Rodriguez said. “I’m ready with no injuries. This is what I do. A fight falls through, and I’ll be ready. This week, next week, whenever. I’ll be ready.”
