UFC 188's Charles Rosa: Yair Rodriguez is fighting me 'too soon, too early' in career

Charles Rosa

Ahead of Saturday’s UFC 188 event, Charles Rosa praised UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby for giving him “the perfect matchup” and opponent: fellow featherweight prospect Yair Rodriguez.

Despite the fact one of the requirements for the fight was to travel to Rodriguez’s (4-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) native Mexico to compete, Rosa (10-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) said there’s nothing about the fight that sparks concern.

“I was really excited when they told me about this fight; I think this is the perfect matchup for me,” Rosa told MMAjunkie. “I couldn’t have handpicked somebody better for me at the right time, the right matchup and everything. I think it’s a perfect fight for me. He’s the right guy at the right time for me to get where I want to be – (for) the next point in my career.”

UFC 188 takes place at Mexico City Arena in Mexico City. Rosa vs. Rodriguez airs on the pay-per-view main card following prelims on FX and UFC Fight Pass.

When examining the matchup, Rosa said he’s confident in all areas. He’s got more than double the professional experience of his opponent and has faced more notable and proven competition. Moreover, even with the excruciating altitude of Mexico City, Rosa said his conditioning is going to be a major and potentially fight-determining factor.

“The matchup for me is perfect; his skills aren’t going to be on par with my strengths,” Rosa said. “Also, on top of the experience, I don’t see anywhere that he’s better than me. I pride myself on my cardio. There’s no way he has better cardio. I train with the best guys in the world at (American Top Team), and I think it’s going to be a rough night for him.

“I don’t think (the altitude is) going to affect me that much. One of my biggest strengths is my gas tank. I’m not too concerned about it. I think a lot of it’s mental.”

Charles Rosa

UFC 188 marks Rosa’s third UFC appearance. He turned heads in his promotional debut in October when he stepped up on short notice to fight Dennis Siver at UFC Fight Night 53. Rosa had his moments in the back-and-forth matchup, which earned “Fight of the Night” honors, but he couldn’t secure the win.

Backed by a full training camp, Rosa returned to the octagon at UFC Fight Night 59 in January. He scored a third-round submission win over Sean Soriano for his 10th finish in 10 career wins.

While Rosa’s two UFC fights proved he belongs at the top level, far more questions surround Rodriguez. The 22-year-old was the featherweight winner of the inaugural season of “The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America” and earned his UFC contract with a unanimous-decision win over Leonardo Morales at UFC 180 in November.

Rodriguez’s five pro opponents share a combined record of 6-8. The numbers don’t tell all, but Rosa said “experience is going to be a big factor” coming fight night. He doesn’t plan to underestimate Rodriguez, but he said it’s up to his opponent to show he can do more than he’s displayed to this point.

“I don’t think he’s fought the same level of guys that I’ve fought in my pro career and even amateur career; I’ve fought some tough guys,” Rosa said. “My experience is going to be a big factor playing into this fight. He’s a tough, young, up-and-coming guy, so there’s going to be that surprising factor. Is he going to be the next big thing? Or is he just going to end up like everyone else?

“He’s running into the wrong guy too soon, too early in his career.”

Rosa’s win over Soriano came with just 17 seconds remaining in the third round. It marked the latest submission finish in a three-round UFC featherweight fight and, according to Rosa, is a testament to his killer instinct.

The 28-year-old said it’s always his priority to leave the fight out of the judges’ hands. So far he’s been successful in that goal with a 100 percent finishing rate. He expects that trend to continue against Rodriguez.

“I’m not one of the type of guys who goes in there point fighting and trying to grind out a decision,” he said. “All my 10 wins are by finishes, with eight in the first round. I’ve finished every guy that I’ve beat. I go there in there with the mentality that only one person is leaving, gladiator style. I feel like I have to put the guy away and finish it from beginning to end. This style has been working for me and I’m going to keep going forward.”

Rosa said a victory at UFC 188 could stir some discussion about where he belongs in the featherweight pecking order. “Boston Strong” hung in there with Siver, a 19-fight UFC veteran who has been ranked at both lightweight and featherweight, but he fell just short of the win.

Despite the setback, though, Rosa thinks a dominant performance against Rodriguez will put him in position to receive more big-name fights.

“If I win this fight the way I expect to win, and I expect to win in the first round impressively, I think I’m ready for a top010 guy,” Rosa said. “I fought Dennis Siver, who was in the top 10, on five days’ notice in my UFC debut in another country. (It was a) ‘Fight of the Night.’

“I didn’t get the victorym but it was a close fight. With more preparation, I would have beat him. I’m growing as a fighter, and I’m better this year than I was in past years. I’m confident and feel like I’m ready for another top-10 guy.”

For more on UFC 188, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.