Yair Rodriguez Nearly Finished Jeremy Stephens In The Second, But “Lil Heathen” Miraculously Recovered And Won The Third Round, Fabulous Fight!
UFC on ESPN 6 is co-headlined by a very promising featherweight match between Yair “El Pantera” Rodriguez and Jeremy “Lil Heathen” Stephens. It is happening live now (Friday, October 18, 2019) from inside TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts.
The two already took part in an Octagon battle at UFC Fight Night event on September 21, 2019 in Mexico City. But their main event bout lasted a mere 15 seconds before Yair eye poked Stephens, who was unable to continue.
The two later got into a physical altercation in a hotel lobby, so this looks like a perfect opportunity to settle their differences. The referee in charge of this contest is Kevin MacDonald. Let’s go!
Round 1
Rodriguez attempted a kick immediately. Fighters clinched up. Yair Rodriguez is pressed against the fence. Good Judo throw Yair, elbow Rodriguez.
A good kick by Yair, he stops Jeremy from advancing. Two body kicks, world-class Taekwondo. Another kick. Fabulous exchange on both sides. Hooks are flying!
Ax kick Yair. Low kick. Yair kicks him to the body. Stephens clinches up. Spinning strike missed by Rodriguez. Spinning back kick by Rodriguez, Stephens felt that! High kick.
Stephens ate two low kicks, Yair countered him with a left hand, but he lets Stephens up. Middle kick blocked. 10-9 Yair.
Round 2
Tornado kick Yair, now an ax kick, but Stephens defends well. Low kick. Crescent kick, and a middle kick to the body. Low kick chops Stephens down, and Yair punishes him with a barrage of ground and pound shots. Yair is annihilating him with devastating punches, he ate more than 30 strong strikes to the head!!!
Stephens survives. Hammer fists. Yair holds him against the fence. “Lil Heathen” stood up, and he goes forward. Right hook. Stephens takes him down. Jeremy in the full guard. Stephens lands big punches. 10-9 Yair.
Round 3
Yair lands a nut shot. The ref restarts, and a good exchange on both sides. Stephens takes him down. Rodriguez defends. Wow, Jeremy took him down again, Yair on his back. Stephens lands short punches from the full guard.
Elbows off the top. Jeremy wins this round, but he must go for a knockout or he’ll lose the fight. More elbows. Up-kick Yair. 10-9 Stephens.
Final Result: Yair Rodriguez defeats Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
Here are the highlights:
You guys think @LilHeathenMMA is hyped for this one? 🔥#UFCBoston 🍀 pic.twitter.com/c8UfWqZ86B
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) October 19, 2019
Things are getting HEATED in Round 1️⃣! #UFCBoston 🍀 pic.twitter.com/0vbdxdXfei
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) October 19, 2019
😰 Listen to this body shot by @panteraufc #UFCBoston pic.twitter.com/CoXYb9piy0
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 19, 2019
WHAT. A. ROUND. 🔥@PanteraUFC and @LilHeathenMMA have come to Boston to settle it once and for all!#UFCBoston 🍀 pic.twitter.com/hOCh4W7lnd
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) October 19, 2019
Hands up who'd be down for two more rounds?! 🙋♂️@PanteraUFC and @LilHeathenMMA go the distance in an instant classic – but who takes it for you?! 📝#UFCBoston 🍀 pic.twitter.com/3lle3C43Rp
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) October 19, 2019
Yair Rodriguez improves the score to 12-2, 1 NC MMA; 8-1, 1 NC UFC, Jeremy Stephens drops to 28-17 MMA, 1 NC MMA; 15-16, 1 NC UFC.
