UFC Vegas 88: Tai Tuivasa vs. Marcin Tybura continues on the main card with a fight in the featherweight division between Christian Rodriguez and Isaac Dulgarian. Rodriguez has now won three straight fights coming into this matchup meanwhile, Dulgarian is still undefeated winning all six of his fights including his UFC debut which he won in emphatic fashion in the first round. With that said, check out our UFC odds series for our Rodriguez-Dulgarian prediction and pick.

Christian Rodriguez (10-1) faces Isaac Dulgarian in a featherweight clash that promises fireworks. Rodriguez, with a record of 10-1, brings a versatile freestyle fighting approach, honed at Roufusport, against Dulgarian's impeccable 6-0 grappling-centric style from FactoryX Muay Thai. Rodriguez, coming off a unanimous decision win against C. Saaiman, looks to extend his winning streak and bounce back from a personal reflection on his recent performances, seeking a victory that feels more convincing to himself. This fight pits Rodriguez's well-rounded skill set and determination for redemption against Dulgarian's explosive power and submission prowess, setting the stage for a compelling matchup where both fighters aim to prove their worth in the featherweight division.

Isaac Dulgarian (6-0) steps into UFC Vegas 88 with an unblemished 6-0 record, showcasing a dominant grappling style honed at FactoryX Muay Thai. His recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular, with a 100% finish rate across his six victories, including four knockouts and two submissions, demonstrating his versatility and finishing ability inside the cage. This fight is a pivotal moment for Dulgarian to prove he can extend his dominance against higher-caliber opponents and make a statement in the featherweight division.

Here are the UFC Odds, courtesy of BetOnline. 

UFC Vegas 88 Odds: Christian Rodriguez-Isaac Dulgarian Odds

Christian Rodriguez: +160

Isaac Dulgarian: -185

Over 2.5 rounds: -125

Under 2.5 rounds: -105

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Why Christian Rodriguez Will Win

Christian Rodriguez enters UFC Vegas 88 with a compelling narrative of redemption and a personal drive to deliver a standout performance. With a professional record of 10-1, Rodriguez has demonstrated a well-rounded freestyle fighting style, honed at the renowned Roufusport MMA Academy. His recent unanimous decision victories over C. Saaiman and R. Rosas Jr. at UFC Fight Night and UFC 287, respectively, showcase his ability to go the distance and secure wins on the judges' scorecards. However, Rodriguez has expressed a desire for a more convincing victory, making his upcoming fight against Isaac Dulgarian deeply personal.

Rodriguez's key strengths lie in his technical striking and high-level wrestling, which could be pivotal in neutralizing Dulgarian's grappling prowess and finishing ability. With a height and reach identical to Dulgarian's, Rodriguez will not be at a physical disadvantage, allowing him to leverage his skills effectively. Moreover, his recent move up to featherweight due to weight management issues could provide him with a strength advantage, having previously competed successfully at bantamweight.

Given Dulgarian's tendency to finish fights early, Rodriguez's experience in fighting through three rounds could be a significant factor if he can extend the fight and test Dulgarian's cardio and composure in later rounds. Additionally, Rodriguez's mental fortitude and determination to prove himself could give him an edge in this high-stakes matchup.

Why Isaac Dulgarian Will Win

Isaac Dulgarian, known as “The Midwest Choppa,” enters UFC Vegas 88 with a flawless 6-0 professional record, a testament to his grappling prowess, finishing ability, and physicality. His recent performances, including a notable first-round stoppage against Francis Marshall, underscore his dominance in the featherweight division. Dulgarian's grappling foundation, honed through a successful collegiate wrestling career, gives him a significant advantage on the ground. This skill set is crucial against Christian Rodriguez, who, despite his freestyle fighting approach, may find Dulgarian's grappling pressure and control challenging to overcome.

Dulgarian's finishing ability is another key factor. With a 100% finish rate, including four knockouts and two submissions, he has demonstrated a versatile attack arsenal. This finishing instinct will be vital, as Rodriguez has shown resilience in going the distance in his fights. Dulgarian's ability to close fights early could be the difference-maker, especially if he can impose his will and secure a dominant position early on.

Isaac Dulgarian's blend of grappling expertise, finishing ability, and physical dominance, along with his recent track record of first-round finishes, sets the stage for a compelling matchup against Christian Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 88. Dulgarian's aggressive style and ability to dictate the pace and position of the fight could very well lead him to maintain his undefeated streak and secure another victory in the UFC featherweight division.

Final Christian Rodriguez-Isaac Dulgarian Prediction & Pick

This should be a fun scrap in the bantamweight division on this exciting fight night main card. Rodriguez will be making the move up to featherweight after being forced to by missing the bantamweight limit in back-to-back fights. He gets to take on surging undefeated prospect Isaa Dulgarian in what is predicted to be an exciting matchup. Ultimately, it will be up to Rodriguez to weather the early storm of Dulgarian who is a fast starter and a potent early-round finisher with all six of his wins coming inside round one but the pace, pressure, size, and grappling prowess of Dulgarian will be too much for the undersized Rodriguez as he succumbs to either a ground-and-pound stoppage or submission victory.

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Final Christian Rodriguez-Isaac Dulgarian Prediction & Pick: Isaac Dulgarian (-185), Under 2.5 Rounds (-105)