Yair Rodríguez is presently having fun with life as a champion on combined martial arts’ largest stage.
Whereas the Mexican endured a tough time on the sidelines between 2019 and 2021, he is since returned with a bang. And final trip, he secured title glory by submitting Josh Emmett to win the interim featherweight gold at UFC 284 this previous February.
Now, Rodríguez is gearing up for his shot at undisputed standing. He is anticipated to problem Alexander Volkanovski within the UFC 290 headliner on July 8.
Forward of that blockbuster showdown, the 30-year-old has been reflecting on his journey to the highest, and particularly the motivational phrases of 1 man who’s no stranger to a UFC throne.
Rodríguez: ‘Jones Made Me Imagine In Myself Even Extra’
In the course of the early days of his profession contained in the Octagon, which received underway with victory in The Final Fighter: Latin America finale at UFC 180 in 2014, Rodríguez hung out coaching on the Jackson Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
There, “El Pantera” skilled alongside the likes of Diego Sanchez, Donald Cerrone, Clay Guida, and, most notably, former two-time UFC mild heavyweight champion and present heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones.
Whereas wanting again on his experiences with Jones throughout a current interview alongside fellow Mexican UFC champs Brandon Moreno and Alexa Grasso on ESPN MMA, Rodríguez revealed the motivational phrases that “Bones” handed down.
“He at all times was very nice to me. He had at all times good issues to say to me,” Rodríguez stated. “I do know he has achieved quite a lot of errors, and been via quite a lot of ups and downs in his life and his profession, however I really consider that everyone can do errors and nonetheless carry on doing higher each time. Jon Jones is the right instance of that.
“I bear in mind one time once I was coaching in Albuquerque after which he approached me and stated, ‘Hey, are you able to come right here please?’ I used to be like, ‘Yeah, for certain.’ He was like, ‘What’s your title? … Your expertise are spectacular. How outdated are you?’ I used to be 20, 21 years outdated in that second,” Rodríguez continued. “He stated, ‘After I was 21 years outdated, I did not have these expertise. You are gonna get far on this sport. Preserve going.’ Coming from Jon Jones in that second, when he wasn’t my good friend, he was simply giving me inspiration. It was one thing actual particular for me. It made me consider in myself much more.”
A decade later, each Jones and Rodríguez maintain gold within the UFC. Ought to he defeat Volkanovski this summer time, maybe the Mexican will look to share a card with the heavyweight titleholder for his first protection.
Learn Additionally: Dana White: Henry Cejudo’s Comeback Loss Reveals “How Particular” Jon Jones Is
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