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Who’s The Most Interesting Fighter At Saturday’s UFC Fight Night?

Originally posted on Dice City Sports | By Jacob Walters | Last updated 5/18/24

UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Murphy boasts plenty of good fights. There’s the main event that features an unproven Lerone Murphy facing off against a seasoned veteran in Edson Barboza. There are also fighters like Adrian Yanez and Vinicius Salvador, who have the chance to bolster their championship chances.

However, there’s one particular fighter who can change his trajectory with a resounding win. His name is Kleydson Rodrigues and he faces off against Alateng Heili this Saturday at UFC Apex.

The Brazilian bantamweight has plenty going for him ahead of his big fight. So why is he the most interesting fighter heading into Saturday? What qualities make him stand out on the card? Here’s a look at why fans should pay attention to Rodrigues ahead of his big fight.

Kleydson Rodrigues Has Everything Going For Him

Kleydson Rodrigues has everything going for him right now. He’s 8-3, young (28 years old), and is taking the UFC world by storm. He scored a first-round knockout on Shannon Ross on February 11, 2023, grabbing the attention of the MMA world.

But let’s look at how the Brazilian bantamweight earned his UFC contract. In a fight against Santo Curatolo, he dominated the bout from the get-go, displaying confidence and patience throughout the match. His quick movements also played a role in his victory, being able to evade Curatolo’s strikes with ease.

Rodrigues is great at keeping fighters off-balance thanks to that quickness. It’s an advantage that he’ll carry into Saturday’s fight against Heili, where he’ll be tested against the Chinese fighter’s technique and skill. If the 28-year-old can land good, quick blows throughout the fight, he can elevate his standing.

Rodrigues Can Prove He Can Win Big Fights

With a resounding win over Heili, Kleydson Rodrigues can reverse his fortune and prevent a poor start in the UFC. In his last three matches, he’s 1-2 with a submission loss. Here, he can prove he can win the big fights and catapult himself up the bantamweight rankings.

With the match added to the card over a month ago, it would show he’s able to handle adversity well. Imagine being told to train for a fight a month before it happens. Normally, such fights are planned months in advance, mainly to build anticipation. But in Rodrigues’s case, he can show he can take on all comers on short notice.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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