‘Hype killer,’ UFC Mexico City fighter gave Raul Rosas and 3 others first loss

Christian Rodriguez, the only fighter to defeat Raul Rosas Jr, returns at UFC Mexico City.

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Christian Rodriguez has taken four undefeated records since arriving to the UFC.

At 27 years old with a record of 12-2, we'd call the featherweight fighter a prospect but the term 'prospect killer' seems more appropriate at this point.

Rodriguez is 5-2 in the UFC, drawing an experienced veteran his next time out against Melquizael Costa (22-7) at UFC Mexico City this Saturday.

Before his return south of the border, "Ceerod" derailed the hype of super-prospect Austin Bashi, taking his undefeated 10-0 record by unanimous decision in January. It wouldn't be Rodriguez's first time.

Issac Dulgarian, Cameron Saiiman, and Raul Rosas Jr. lost their 0 to Rodriguez. Rodriguez made headlines when he dominated 19-year-old Rosas, the UFC's youngest-ever fighter.

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Christian Rodriguez Only Fighter To Beat Raul Rosas Jr.

Rosas Jr. signed to the UFC off of Dana White's Contender Series at 17. He was 7-0 at the time he fought Rodriguez at UFC 287.

Seven years his elder, Rodriguez stood a sizable underdog against Rosas, turning in one of the biggest upsets of 2023.

Rodriguez survived a very aggressive grappling approach from Rosas in the opening round. Rosas shot in for takedown right away, Rodriguez fending it off. Rosas eventually got Rodriguez down after a couple of tries, grabbing control of his back.

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Joe Rogan: Rodriguez 'Stays Cool Under Fire'

Rodriguez's experience showed he was cool, calm, and collected against Rosas, who had a backpack positioned on him. Rodriguez escaped a rear-naked choke attempt and survived the rest of the round from inside Rosas' body triangle.

"He stays cool under fire," UFC commentator Joe Rogan said of Rodriguez.

In rounds 2 and 3, Rodriguez would outwork Rosas in the grappling department, who faded following a fiery first round. Rodriguez used Rosas' takedown attempts against him, establishing top control from his sprawls.

Rich Storry-Imagn Images

Rodriguez manhandled Rosas on the ground, securing a body triangle and then a unanimous decision victory on the scorecards. Raul Rosas Jr. hasn't lost since, bouncing back with three-straight wins and a separate fight booked at UFC Mexico City against Vince Morales.

"He's a veteran and he has a great mindset for this particular fight. He could deal with the onslaught from this wild, young prodigy and just to be putting it on him..."

Rich Storry-Imagn Images

The 27-year-old from Milaulkee told MMA Junkie the fans have given him the nickname of 'Hype Killer' for the undefeated records he has taken in his UFC career.

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Christian Rodriguez isn't as experienced as his upcoming opponent Melquizael Costa but his skills have proven to be top-notch in seven UFC fights. We'll see how '"Ceerod" gets by at UFC Mexico City this weekend.

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A post shared by Christian “Ceerod” Rodriguez (@ceerod97)

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