Rodriguez vs. Bashi, UFC Vegas 101 weigh-in Credit score: Eddie Regulation/Cageside Press
Take into account this an indication of how sizzling a prospect Austin Bashi is: the UFC booked his debut on the UFC Vegas 101 fundamental card, towards famous “prospect killer” Christian Rodriguez.
Bashi, an undefeated featherweight expertise, has lengthy been on the radar of prospect watchers in MMA. Rodriguez, a.okay.a. “CeeRod,” had been the bump within the highway for names like Raul Rosas Jr. and Cameron Saaiman.
Whereas a loss at UFC Vegas 101 wouldn’t derail Bashi’s profession, his efficiency could be the deciding consider whether or not he took the quick observe, or gradual highway, to start out in UFC profession.
The battle opened with Rodriguez beautiful Bashi with a knee throughout an trade. Though shaken, Bashi recovered rapidly and shot for a takedown. Rodriguez rolled with the try and scrambled again to his ft, however Bashi remained relentless in his pursuit of takedowns. His aggression, nonetheless, left his neck uncovered, giving Rodriguez a chance to threaten with a guillotine. He didn’t have it. Again in open area, Rodriguez caught a kick from Bashi and dumped him to the mat, however Bashi was fast to return to his ft and provoke one other takedown try. Rodriguez defended nicely however briefly turned away, permitting Bashi to leap onto his again.
Regardless of the precarious place, Rodriguez stayed composed, sustaining glorious protection till Bashi deserted the trouble. Breaking free from the clinch, Rodriguez launched a flurry of strikes, exhibiting his excessive output. Nevertheless, his overzealous method left him susceptible, and Bashi capitalized with one other takedown. Even then, Rodriguez rapidly reversed the place, sweeping Bashi and regaining prime management earlier than returning to his ft because the spherical ended.
To start out spherical two, Austin Bashi was advancing. He was lacking on the punches however would throw right into a single leg. He was by no means in a position to totally get Rodriguez down however the preliminary shot noticed him full it. Rodriguez, by no means complacent, moved to his knees then to his ft however with Bashi backpacked. As soon as once more, Bashi didn’t have one of the best place and would give it quickly sufficient. Immediately Bashi went again to the takedown. As Rodriguez continued to cease the preliminary takedown he was having hassle warding off Bashi’s chain wrestling. Bashi tried to take his again however Rodriguez slipped away and received again to his ft. Needing to get some momentum Rodriguez was touchdown some good blows, however Bashi slowed the tempo down till the bell.
Within the remaining spherical, Bashi landed a entrance kick that transitioned easily right into a takedown try. Though it was a well-executed sequence, Rodriguez defended successfully. Regardless of Rodriguez’s robust protection, Bashi maintained a relentless tempo, always pressuring ahead. Nevertheless, at instances, his aggression backfired, as Rodriguez proved to be the higher scrambler. In a single trade, Bashi wound up on his again, making an attempt a kimura, however used the cage to work his manner again up. On the ft, Rodriguez showcased his superior placing, touchdown crisp mixtures and well-timed knees that linked cleanly. Nevertheless, Bashi’s grinding model stored Rodriguez from totally capitalizing on his placing benefit. Because the battle wore on, Bashi’s cardio started to fade, and his takedown makes an attempt grew to become extra telegraphed. Rodriguez completed the battle robust, including a contact of showmanship within the remaining moments, closing out an entertaining third spherical.
Come the scorecard, it was no shock to see Christian Rodriguez introduced the winner. Bashi, served up the primary lack of his professional MMA profession, will be taught lots from the expertise nonetheless.
Official End result: Christian Rodriguez def. Austin Bashi by unanimous determination (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
