Daniel Rodriguez and Li Jingliang faced off in a welterweight bout at UFC on ABC 1 on January 16, 2021. The fight was held at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Rodriguez entered the bout with a 13-1 record, while Jingliang had a 17-6 record. The fight was expected to be a close contest between two talented strikers.
In the first round, Rodriguez came out strong and landed several significant strikes on Jingliang. However, Jingliang was able to withstand the onslaught and began to find his range. Jingliang landed a big right hand that seemed to stun Rodriguez, but he was able to recover and finish the round strong.
The second round saw both fighters exchange heavy blows, but it was Rodriguez who seemed to get the better of the exchanges. He landed several big punches and kicks that caused Jingliang to stumble. However, Jingliang was able to keep his composure and landed some solid strikes of his own.
The third round was a back-and-forth affair, with both fighters landing significant strikes. However, it was Rodriguez who finished the round strong, landing a barrage of punches and kicks that had Jingliang reeling.
When the final bell rang, it was clear that Rodriguez had done enough to win the fight. The judges agreed, awarding him a unanimous decision victory. Rodriguez had landed 118 significant strikes to Jingliang’s 77, and had also secured three takedowns to Jingliang’s one.
The victory was a huge moment for Rodriguez, who had been on a four-fight win streak prior to the bout. It was also a disappointing result for Jingliang, who had been on a two-fight win streak himself.
Following the fight, Rodriguez called for a top-10 opponent in the welterweight division. He expressed his desire to compete against the best in the division and work his way toward a title shot.
Overall, the Daniel Rodriguez vs. Li Jingliang fight was an entertaining bout between two skilled strikers. Rodriguez’s performance was particularly impressive, as he was able to overcome some early adversity to dominate the later rounds and secure a convincing victory.