Ian Garry is hoping to punch his ticket to the welterweight high 15 when he meets Daniel Rodriguez tomorrow afternoon (Sat., Might 13, 2023) at UFC Charlotte reside on ABC/ESPN/ESPN+ from inside Spectrum Heart in Charlotte, North Carolina. That’s, in fact, if Rodriguez doesn’t spoil the Garry hype practice and ship the Irish sensation packing.
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ALL-ACTION HEAVYWEIGHT BATTLE! Final Combating Championship (UFC) returns to Charlotte, N.C., on Sat., Might 13, 2023, for the primary time since 2018 with an all-action most important occasion between Heavyweight finishers as No. 9-ranked contender, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, goals to land one other signature knockout when he takes on surging No. 12-seeded contender, Jailton Almeida. In UFC Charlotte’s ESPN+-streamed co-main occasion (additionally on ABC), No. 5-ranked Gentle Heavyweight contender, Anthony Smith, faces No. 7 Johnny Walker in a bout assured to ship fireworks.
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This can be a nice state of affairs for Rodriguez coming into Saturday’s matchup. Not solely is the strain off of “D-Rod” coming into the combat as a sizeable betting underdog, however he doesn’t have the kind of hype behind him that Garry does. It’s as much as Garry to money in on his alternative and show that he’s nearly as good as he says he’s.
For Rodriguez, that is his probability to play spoiler. The welterweight veteran isn’t satisfied that Garry is nearly as good as marketed so he’s comfortable to seek out out Saturday afternoon.
“I had solely heard his title as soon as,” stated Rodriguez earlier this week at UFC Charlotte’s media day. “I didn’t actually suppose nothing a lot of it. The one cause why I took this combat is he known as me out on a social media submit saying he might outstrike me. So I’m going to carry him to that. … I really feel like he’s nonetheless very inexperienced and younger within the recreation and within the sport. I really feel like I’m his hardest matchup so far. He ain’t actually fought no one, actually. He’s nonetheless younger and he must be humbled, and I’m right here to humble him.
“It’s not likely about his talent. I imply, he does have a fairly good talent set. I don’t suppose he’s prepared for it. He’s not a phenom. He’s not knocking dudes out. He’s not like he’s obtained somewhat hype off of him. I really feel like they’re constructing him up, and I’m right here to take all that away.”
If Rodriguez is ready to take out Garry at UFC Charlotte it is going to give him the notable win he must make one other run on the high 10. Regardless of his current submission loss to Neil Magny in November of final 12 months Rodriguez stays 4-1 in his final 5 journeys to the Octagon. Including a win this weekend will surely get him again on observe at 170 kilos.
“I see a banger – one (punch) for one (punch), one for the followers,” Rodriguez stated. “I don’t consider that he’s been hit as laborious as I might hit. I’m an actual canine in there, and he’s going to have me in his face the entire time. I might see him backing away and working away from me the entire time.
“His final opponent, (Kenan), I hate to say it, however he’s a type of guys the place you’re alleged to beat that man. I’d destroy that man if I fought that man, and (Kenan) dropped him. That simply goes to (present) it’s somewhat suspect, his chin and his expertise stage. He pulled by way of that and was in a position to win the combat, however I believe in a state of affairs the place he’s preventing an actual canine like me – I don’t practice to combat. I practice to complete, and I’ve obtained quite a bit driving on this combat. I’m coming off a loss, and I didn’t combat Gunnar Nelson, however I felt like I’ve been in a combat camp. I’ve been in an actual lengthy combat camp and I’m extra ready than I’ve ever been. I’ve been simply essentially the most constant and most devoted I’ve been for a combat in a very long time.
“I don’t put strain on myself. I say I’ve obtained quite a bit driving on it is because I’ve obtained quite a bit deliberate for the long run. I’m pondering forward. I do plan on displaying I’m the higher fighter. I belong in my place, and he’s not prepared for me.”
What say you, combat followers? Does “D-Rod” spoil Garry’s hype practice this weekend in Charlotte?
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MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of your entire UFC Charlotte combat card RIGHT HERE, beginning with the ESPN/ESPN+ preliminary card bouts at 12 p.m. ET, adopted by the ABC/ESPN+ most important card begin time at 3 p.m. ET.
To take a look at the most recent and biggest UFC Charlotte information and notes make sure to hit up our complete occasion archives right here, right here, and right here. For the up to date and finalized “Rozenstruik vs. Almeida” combat card and ABC/ESPN/ESPN+ lineup click on right here.
