UFC 284: Yair Rodriguez vs. Josh Emmett live results, highlight videos – Rodriguez wins interim title

Check back in on this post later on to see who won the UFC 284 co-main event, which is going down from the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

This post will cover the UFC’s interim featherweight title match between the 14-3-1 Yair Rodriguez, and the 18-2 Josh Emmett. The reason that this is an interim title fight is because the current undisputed champ, Alexander Volkanovski, will be competing for the lightweight belt tonight against Islam Makhachev in the main event.

Say what you want about interim titles, but I do like the fact that these two matches are happening on the same night. It keeps the 145-pound champion in sync with his next challenger, IF that is what Volkanovski wants to do next.

Emmett vs. Rodriguez is such an interesting matchup because they are both quite dangerous on the feet, yet in drastically different ways. Yair has all of the flashy tools in his striking shed. There’s almost every kick ever discovered, a slew of unorthodox elbow attacks, tons of spinning shit, not to mention his use of range and his ability to flow one technique into the next. And then there’s Emmett, who truly possesses that one hitter quite. The man generates so much force into his hands, that you can’t afford to ignore anything coming your way. I mean, he did drop Mirsad Bektić with a damn jab.

The early prelims begin at 6:00pm ET/3:00pm, PT, immediately followed by the regular preliminary card. Both broadcasts can be streamed on ESPN+. The PPV main card is slated for 10:00pm ET/7:00pm PT, and can be purchased on ESPN+.

Yair Rodriguez def. Josh Emmett by submission (Triangle) at 4:19 of round 2: Interim Featherweight Title

Rodriguez came out kicking from, as expected, but surprisingly hurt Emmett early on with a heavy one to the liver. Emmett quickly recovered and went back to pressuring, and whenever he felt like he was in range he would let his heaters fly. He caught Rodriguez with his hands down, clipping him and knocking him over. From there Emmett got on top. Rodriguez did land some angry strikes off of his back just before the bell.

Emmett landed some more big punches at the start of the second round, and Rodriguez responded with a barrage of liver kicks. That prompted Emmett to clinch up, but a sneaky elbow from Rodriguez wobbled him. Emmett tried to wing his power, but Rodriguez was picking him off from range. Rodriguez threw a flying knee, but that resulted in Emmett taking top position. Rodriguez started to attack with strikes, before setting up a triangle by threatening with an armbar. Emmett was stuck and forced to tap, and Yair Rodriguez is the UFC’s interim featherweight champion!