LAS VEGAS – Christian Rodriguez is feeling better than ever after making big changes ahead of UFC Fight Night 279.
Six months ago, Rodriguez (12-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC) moved to Las Vegas along with making other lifestyle changes on the heels of a two-fight skid. At UFC Fight Night 279, he'll look to get back into the win column against Hyder Amil, who is in a similar position. Rodriguez knows Amil (11-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) is a dangerous fighter capable of thriving in tough fights, but he's confident in his abilities to be good anywhere the fight goes.
"I've seen Hyder fight a couple of times," Rodriguez told MMA Junkie and other reporters at media day. "I was a fan of his style. He's very dangerous, very aggressive. I think it's a fight that fans are going to want to tune in and watch. It's kind of cool they put us on the main card. We're both coming off two losses, so that's definitely more motivating for both of us because we both want to get back in the win column."
Rodriguez started off his three-fight 2025 year with a win over Austin Bashi, but then dropped a pair of decisions to Melquizael Costa and Andre Fili. Amil had a similar 2025 campaign, winning his first fight of the year against William Gomis, but was then stopped by Jose Delgado and lost a decision to Jamaal Emmers, marking his first career losses.
Rodriguez isn't any more worried about job security in the UFC, but he admits the skid did prompt him to make changes to better his career.
Six months ago, Rodriguez (12-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC) moved to Las Vegas along with making other lifestyle changes on the heels of a two-fight skid. At UFC Fight Night 279, he'll look to get back into the win column against Hyder Amil, who is in a similar position. Rodriguez knows Amil (11-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) is a dangerous fighter capable of thriving in tough fights, but he's confident in his abilities to be good anywhere the fight goes.
"I've seen Hyder fight a couple of times," Rodriguez told MMA Junkie and other reporters at media day. "I was a fan of his style. He's very dangerous, very aggressive. I think it's a fight that fans are going to want to tune in and watch. It's kind of cool they put us on the main card. We're both coming off two losses, so that's definitely more motivating for both of us because we both want to get back in the win column."
Rodriguez started off his three-fight 2025 year with a win over Austin Bashi, but then dropped a pair of decisions to Melquizael Costa and Andre Fili. Amil had a similar 2025 campaign, winning his first fight of the year against William Gomis, but was then stopped by Jose Delgado and lost a decision to Jamaal Emmers, marking his first career losses.
Rodriguez isn't any more worried about job security in the UFC, but he admits the skid did prompt him to make changes to better his career.
4 months ago
