The co-main event of UFC 284 is here.
The flashy Yair Rodriguez faces off against the heavy-handed Josh Emmett for the UFC interim featherweight championship. The action takes place in Perth, Australia.
Round 1:
Both Rodriguez and Emmett take their time in the Octagon, not going for much strikes as they bounce around in the first minute. Rodriguez catches Emmett with a powerful body kick. Rodriguez goes for a leg kick and then another nasty kick to the body. Emmett blitzes, clipping Rodriguez with a punch on his way in. Rodriguez misses on a spinning wheel kick. Rodriguez hits Emmet with a headkick but Emmett returns fire which hurts ‘El Pantera’. Emmett topples Rodriguez on the ground.
Emmett controls Rodriguez on the ground with top position and lands a few strikes. The Mexican also lands effective shots from his back before the round ends.
Round 2:
Emmett connects with the chin of Rodriguez. Rodriguez returns with powerful body kicks which hurt Emmett. Emmett forces Rodriguez into the cage, looking for a takedown. Rodriguez defends it and exits the clinch. Rodriguez hurts Emmett with knees and elbows. Emmett gets hit with a headkick. Rodriguez goes for a flying knee, Emmett gets the off-balance Rodriguez down to the mat.
Rodriguez locks in a triangle from bottom position. In a matter of seconds (and a few strikes), Emmett taps out. Yair Rodriguez is your UFC interim featherweight champion.
Official result: Yair Rodriguez defeats Josh Emmett by submission (triangle choke) (R2 4:19)
Check out the highlights below:
YAIR RODRIGUEZ BY SUBMISSION!
— UFC (@ufc) February 12, 2023
HE IS THE INTERIM FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION 🏆 #UFC284 pic.twitter.com/4Uwqgvj4Dc
Yair Rodriguez looked INCREDIBLE tonight #UFC284 pic.twitter.com/QIzQfyDaVi
— UFC (@ufc) February 12, 2023
Thrill of victory and sting of defeat…
— UFC (@ufc) February 12, 2023
Congratulations to both Rodriguez and Emmett on a hard fought battle 👏 #UFC284 pic.twitter.com/VXyWknFVR9
#AndNEW interim featherweight world champion, @PanteraUFC! 🏆 #UFC284 pic.twitter.com/lTxaCA6txd
— UFC (@ufc) February 12, 2023
