Marina Rodriguez is on a four-fight winning streak going into UFC Vegas 64’s main event Saturday night against Amanda Lemos. Even though she doesn’t see any logic to the matchmaking, Rodriguez embraces her headlining role.
Rodriguez spoke on the latest episode of MMA Fightings Trocacao Frankca ,. She said that the Lemos fight is “a stupid one.” However, as a company employee, she is well-prepared for [Lemos]. And, to reach the goal, the belt .”
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Lemos submitted Michelle Waterson-Gomez with a guillotine choke this past July to rebound from a quick loss to Jessica Andrade in April. Rodriguez delivered previous wins over Waterson-Gomez, Mackenzie Dern, and Yan Xiaonan, and hopes to go 5-0 since 2021.
According to Rodriguez, the UFC originally offered a clash with former champion Zhang Weili at UFC 275 in Singapore this past June, but she opted against taking it on a month’s notice. Weili ultimately knocked out Joanna Jedrzejczyk on that card to earn a shot at strawweight champion Carla Esparza at UFC 281.
“I had some injuries after the Yan fight, like everybody does,” Rodriguez said. We needed to take more time .”
after three rounds of tough fighting against an extremely tough opponent.
Taila Santos, who at the time trained with Rodriguez’s team, was scheduled to be on the same card against flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko, making things more complicated for “a small team” like hers.
” We said that we would do it but had to delay it for one or two more months,” Rodriguez stated. “The UFC said no, it had to be on that date in Singapore. And since we asked for more time, they said no and put Joanna in.”
When the Lemos match was offered on Oct. 22, Rodriguez felt she “had to accept,” or she would be turning down another fight. Rodriguez vs. Lemos was then pushed back two weeks and elevated to the main event spot of UFC Vegas 64.
” “Timing is everything,” Rodriguez stated. Although I regret losing that Zhang timing, it is not something I regret. We needed to have a great fight against an ex-champion. It’s not how we do it.
“There were times we took fights on short notice but the odds favored us,” she continued. In this instance, however, it felt like an entrapment to try and win Zhang. To do that over me? To prove it wouldn’t have been so simple, I had to take more time. It’s all in the past. I don’t case because we’re still seen by the UFC, and that’s why they offered us another fight so quickly.”
Rodriguez stated that she is used to making steps back ranking-wise and she will show Saturday she’s up for it. Lemos is a formidable opponent. She knows this.
“Perfect scenario is myself winning [against] Amanda Lemos, and, [regardless of whether] Dana White [is] saying or not saying I’m next, I’m going to be the next [for the belt],” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez stated, “I will be in New York’s front row and do everything necessary to make my voice heard.”
” The best scenario would be me winning my rematch against Carla Esparza. It’s the only loss of my career, and by split decision, in a very close fight, but everything [points] to Zhang Weili winning this fight. No matter the opponent, I want to have my chance. Carla or Weili or anyone else on my way, but it has to be for the belt.”
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