Unbeaten Mexican flyweight Imanol Rodríguez made his promotional debut at UFC Mexico City on Saturday, facing off against Kevin Borjas.
The main card placement was a sign of the UFC’s faith in Rodriguez, who had appeared on both The Ultimate Fighter 33 and Dana White’s Contender Series.
A 2023 Contender Series winner himself, Borjas was 1-3 in the promotion.
Round one started explosively, with Rodriguez immediately showing his speed through sharp outside leg kicks. Suddenly, Borjas connected with a heavy left hand, putting Rodriguez in serious trouble. Stumbling against the cage, Rodriguez fought to survive but managed to secure a takedown. While he didn’t do much damage on top, it gave him precious time to recover. As the referee called for action, Rodriguez landed hard elbows, regaining control and ending the round on a strong note despite the rough moment earlier.
In round two, Rodriguez began more cautiously, showing confidence after surviving the first. He dictated the pace early, landing kicks, probing with feints, and pressing forward with his hands. Borjas tried to counter as Rodriguez shot for a takedown, but Rodriguez turned it into a strike, landing a combo on the way out. The relentless pressure began to wear on Borjas, who found himself pinned against the cage as Rodriguez unleashed flurries. A clean right finally broke through, dropping Borjas! A few follow-up strikes, and the referee stepped in to stop the fight.
Imanol Rodriguez embraced Borjas after the fight, a great showing of respect as the pair exchanged supportive words. Definitely a candidate for a bonus, and a heck of a way to start his UFC career.
Official Result: Imanol Rodríguez def. Kevin Borjas via TKO (punches), Round 2, 4:21