Two highly touted WMMA prospects duke it out for title contention in this exciting matchup. Both women have excellent resumés. Marina Rodriguez is 15-1-2, most recently dominating Mackenzie Dern, Xiaonan Yan is 13-2-0(1NC) and is looking to recover from a loss to Carla Esparza, her only loss in 10 years.
Marina Rodriguez vs Xiaonan Yan Prediction
I watched Marina Rodriguez fight Mackenzie Dern, and she was brilliant. Whilst she did get beaten on the ground (as anyone does against Mackenzie Dern), she lit Dern up on the feet and showed exceptional ring IQ. She has very mean striking, and a cold patience that allows her to work on the outside.
Rodriguez was aware of the submission threat of Dern in their fight, which is why she played the backfoot and circled her opponent so much. This is something I don’t see her doing against Yan so much, since she will likely have the grappling advantage this time round. She’s also 2 inches taller than Yan, with longer legs, which she likes to apply pressure with by teeping to the thigh and midsection. It’s going to be a tough night for Yan, does she have what it takes?
Xiaonan Yan is a brawler. She hasn’t finished an opponent yet in the UFC, but she’s definitely come close on some occasions. Yan tends to drop all technique and swing wildly hoping for that hail mary shot. I don’t think this will work against Rodriguez since she is great at working off the backfoot and picking her shots. So I anticipate that Yan will be swinging, missing, and absorbing shots as punishment.
Add in the reach advantage and definite cardio advantage (Rodriguez went 5 rounds with Dern), it looks like Marina Rodriguez has all the tools to win this fight.
My pick – Marna Rodriguez by UD
Marina Rodriguez vs Xiaonan Yan Betting
Marina Rodriguez is a heavy favourite to win the fight out right. Bet365 has Rodriguez as a 4/11 favourite to win out right.
Thank you for reading! If you have a different opinion on this fight, drop it in the comments!
