Kicking off the main card of UFC Vegas 23 on ABC was a fun welterweight scrap between Mike Perry (14-7) and Daniel Rodriguez (13-2). Both of these men were looking to bounce back from losses in their last fights.
For Mike Perry, he’s looking for 2021 to be a lot better than 2020. Perry was in the news several times for things outside of his performances in the UFC. And inside the octagon, his last performance left much to be desired.
Perry badly missed weight and lost a decision to Tim Means. However, Perry seems to have rededicated himself after the birth of his son. Perry has been training with the likes of Colby Covington and he made weight with no problems this weekend.
Daniel Rodriguez suffered his first UFC loss in his last fight back in December. That loss snapped a nine-fight win streak that brought him to the octagon. Both of these men were in need of a big win today.
UFC Vegas 23 Recap
Round 1
The UFC Vegas 23 welterweight contest opened with a touch of the gloves. Perry opens the striking with a good leg kick. Rodriguez throws a high kick and tries to follow with a left, but both miss.
As Perry steps in, Rodriguez pops him with a left. Rodriguez looks incredibly quick on the feet here in round one. Perry comes in again, but Rodriguez clips him with a counter. Good body kick lands for Rodriguez, but Perry counters with a right.
A big 1-2 lands for D-Rod that hurts Mike Perry. Rodriguez pushes forward to pour it on, but Perry recovered quickly. Again, the speed Rodriguez was really bothering Mike Perry here in the first round.
Another big 1-2 lands for D-Rod and he follows it with another big 1-2. Perry shoots in and gets deep on a double leg and he slams Rodriguez to the ground. Perry spends the rest of the round on top, but I still give the round to Rodriguez. 1-0 D-Rod after one at UFC Vegas 23.
Round 2
Going into the second round at UFC Vegas 23 and it’s apparent that Mike Perry needs to go to his wrestling. A good calf kick opens the striking for Mike Perry here in the second. Rodriguez looks for the 1-2, but he was a bit out of range.
Both men trade big body kicks. A nice straight left hand lands for Rodriguez. D-Rod pops the head of Mike Perry with back-to-back crisp jabs. Another stiff jab lands for Rodriguez.
Rodriguez lands another nice combination, but Perry shoots in and gets a body lock. Perry uses that to get another takedown. However, with both men close to the fence, Rodriguez was able to get back up.
Perry is coming forward with the pressure, but Rodriguez hits him with a clean uppercut. Straight left hand from D-Rod pops the head of Mike Perry. At range, Daniel Rodriguez was doing damage to Mike Perry.
Three big shots land for Rodriguez and Perry was looking a little busted up. Another 1-2 lands for Rodriguez. Perry tries to get another takedown in the final seconds, but couldn’t get D-Rod down. After two here at UFC Vegas 23 it’s 2-0 Daniel Rodriguez.
Round 3
Heading into the final round here at UFC Vegas 23 and Mike Perry is going to need a finish in this one. Perry comes forward to start the round, but couldn’t land in the opening exchange.
A nice leg kick starts the striking for Rodriguez. D-Rod moves forward and lands a good body kick and follows it with a couple of clean shots. Perry shoots in for a takedown, however, Rodriguez defended well and they went back to striking.
Big straight left hand connects for D-Rod. Both men were looking tired here in third. Perry’s back was against the fence and Rodriguez was just touching him up with straight shots.
Perry circles out to take the center and he starts trying to throw. However, Rodriguez continued to just pick him apart. The straight left was really hurting Mike Perry here in the third round.
A massive 1-2 staggers Perry briefly. Daniel Rodriguez shoots for a takedown, however, Perry was still able to defend. Perry’s face is busted up badly, but he didn’t stop fighting until the final bell. However, D-Rod should pick up the win here at UFC Vegas 23.
Daniel Rodriguez def. Mike Perry by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)