Yair Rodriguez has become synonymous for delivering some of the most complex and dynamic striking that the UFC has to offer.
And he started his UFC 284 co-main event against Josh Emmett showing just that, picking the American apart with a buffet of kicks and precise punches during the first round.
Quickly into the second, Rodriguez blasted Emmett with more body kicks and right hands, but just when it looked like "El Pantera" would score another victory via his striking, the Mexican fighter pulled off a first for his UFC career — his lone submission win with the company. It came at a great time as Rodriguez became the interim world featherweight champion with the win.
The moment came after grazing Emmett with a jumping knee. Emmett used his weight to score a takedown. However, the crafty Rodriguez worked patiently and cinched in a triangle choke, which Emmett tapped out to in seconds to give Rodriguez the interim gold inside the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Rodriguez now awaits featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who is featured in the UFC 284 main event, for a shot at undisputed glory.