A UFC fan favorite mounted a memorable comeback on this day in 2020.
UFC on ESPN 15 took place on August 22 that year, headlined by a legend’s final victory inside the Octagon.
The seventh UFC Fight Night to take place inside the Apex during the pandemic concluded with an outing for ex-lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. Before being knocked out in three straight fights to mark a brutal end to his career in the cage, Edgar defeated Pedro Munhoz via split decision.
That five-round fight was the only matchup on the main card to go the distance. Among the violent stoppages earlier in the night was one of the year’s best comebacks from an always-game welterweight brawler.
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Daniel Rodriguez was nearly knocked out before flooring Dwight Grant to complete a huge comeback
Tasked with opening the main card was Daniel Rodriguez, a hard-hitting Californian who had announced his arrival with a bonus-winning submission against Tim Means and a decision win over Gabe Green.
‘D-Rod’ came close to having his perfect UFC record blemished in his third fight when Dwight Grant dropped him early in round one at UFC on ESPN 15. The finish looked moments away as the referee warned the favorite to keep moving and defending.
More than just survive, though, Rodriguez was soon able to turn the tables. After making his way back to his feet, ‘D-Rod’ immediately connected with a left hand that briefly dropped his opponent. Having kept the pressure up and pushed ‘The Body Snatcher’ back to the fence, Rodriguez completed the comeback KO with some brutal blows as Grant crumpled.
Post-fight, Rodriguez revealed just how close he came to being stopped earlier in the round, admitting he had “blacked out” after getting dropped.
“That was intense,” Rodriguez said. “We were slinging them. That’s how I do.
“I kind of blacked out there for a little while. I recovered quick, I was able to land a short hook I believe it was and I was able to capitalize on that.”
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Daniel Rodriguez went another three years before being knocked out for the first time
After rallying to avoid his first knockout loss at the Apex in 2020, Rodriguez could not repeat that feat three years later in Charlotte.
Months after being finished for the first time by a Neil Magny submission, ‘D-Rod’ fell to his first losing skid in MMA courtesy of Ian Garry’s efforts.
The Irishman recorded his biggest win till that point and continued his charge as an undefeated prospect. The stoppage came just over halfway through round one when Garry dropped Rodriguez with a head kick before finishing him off on the ground.
The Californian has not been stopped since and is currently riding a three-fight winning run. After getting past Alex Morono and Santiago Ponzinibbio, Rodriguez most recently beat Kevin Holland on the scorecards at UFC 318.