Daniel Rodriguez opens up after Kelvin Gastelum loss

Daniel Rodriguez exited UFC on ABC 6 with a constructive mindset, but in addition the thought his combat would’ve gone in a different way if opponent Kelvin Gastelum fought at welterweight.

The bout took place at middleweight reasonably than welterweight after Gastelum confirmed up obese for combat week and requested for the change. Rodriguez, together with the UFC, negotiated new phrases with Gastelum. Nonetheless, Rodriguez in the end lost the bout by unanimous decision at Kingdom Area in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“That’s why there’s weight courses,” Rodriguez wrote on his Instagram story after the combat.

Rodriguez additionally posted a pair of selfie movies. In the course of the first, Rodriguez identified Gastelum’s robust cardio, one thing he hypothesized wouldn’t have been an element had the lower to welterweight transpired.

“So, sh*t didn’t actually go my approach. It’s the combat recreation,” Rodriguez mentioned. “That sh*t occurs. I took the danger. There’s no approach I used to be going to come back all the best way out right here and never combat. I assure if that combat was at 170 kilos, he wouldn’t have had the vitality to take me down. He wouldn’t have been as robust. And he wouldn’t have been capable of take most of my punches. I ain’t going to dwell on it and sh*t. I thugged it out and saved it G. I repped town and I can’t wait to come back dwelling. Shout out to all of the followers. Y’all some actual ones. To my household and my youngsters, I can’t wait to come back dwelling. I miss you guys and I’m going to bounce again. F*ck it.”

Shortly thereafter, Rodriguez posted a second video with a extra upbeat strategy, the place he voiced the positives that got here from the expertise regardless of the loss. He revealed that he acquired a brand new contract with a pay bump forward of the combat, plus acquired 30 p.c of Gastelum’s purse.

“All proper, y’all. I’m performed complaining concerning the combat. F*ck it. It occurred,” Rodriguez mentioned. “I knew the danger. With the danger, got here nice rewards. I misplaced the combat however I gained a lot extra in return: a ton a respect from the combat neighborhood, a pleasant increase, six-fight contract, 30 p.c of his f*cking (purse). I can’t even be mad. Yeah, I wished the win however I need a lot extra ultimately. I knew the danger. I took it, placed on a hell of a present. The followers love me. I like y’all. My youngsters are proud. My household is proud. I misplaced however I gained. F*ck it. I can’t wait to get dwelling from the airport and love life child. Let’s go.”

Rodriguez, 37, has misplaced three-straight fights. It’s unclear what his subsequent transfer is. As for Gastelum, he’s gained two of his most up-to-date three. UFC CEO Dana White voiced disappointment in Gastelum’s pre-fight conduct throughout a post-fight information convention.

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC on ABC 6.