Daniel Cormier believes Yair Rodriguez needs to utilize his kicks to become the undisputed UFC featherweight champion at UFC 290.
Daniel Cormier detailed what Yair Rodriguez must do to dethrone Alexander Volkanovski.
On Saturday, July 7, the UFC will conclude International Fight Week with a stacked fight card inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the UFC 290 main event, Volkanovski looks to extend his legendary featherweight run with another title defense.
Although Volkanovski is unbeaten at 145 pounds, Rodriguez has the ability to pull off the upset. During a video posted to his YouTube channel, Cormier broke down what ‘El Pantera’ needs to do by saying:
“Very rarely do you get a guy [like Alexander Volkanovski] that’s shorter that possesses that type of countering ability. Yair Rodriguez is gonna have to do something different this weekend because if he forces, and he goes forward too much, he’s gonna find himself in trouble. He’s gotta use his kicks like he did against Josh Emmett.”
Cormier continued:
“It can’t be the hands that is gonna save Yair Rodriguez because if he tries to do it with the hands, he’s gonna get ate up like Max [Holloway] did in fight number three by Volkanovski. He’s that good. You gotta do it with the kicks if you’re Yair Rodriguez. The problem with the kicks is, Volkanovski can wrestle.”
As stated by ‘DC,’ Rodriguez’s kicks were a significant contribution to his last win against Josh Emmett to become the interim featherweight champion, which was arguably his most impressive in the UFC. Although ‘El Pantera’ is a dangerous striker, the betting odds have him at a sizeable +285 underdog.
Daniel Cormier praises Alexander Volkanovski’s fight IQ
Alexander Volkanovski is the betting favorite heading into UFC 290 for a reason. Since making his promotional debut in November 2017, Volkanovski holds an 11-0 record at featherweight. During the same YouTube video, Daniel Cormier praised ‘The Great’ by saying:
“It’s the fight IQ of Alexander Volkanovski. I think this guy is as smart of a fighter as you’re gonna get in the entire UFC. He’s that good.”
There is one potential factor that most people don’t seem to be talking about. Alexander Volkanovski’s last fight was at lightweight against Islam Makhachev. Will the change in divisions play a factor? Or will ‘The Great’ continue dominating at 145 pounds? It’s only a matter of time until Rodriguez has the opportunity to shock the world and make history.