5 reasons why Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez will be Fight of the Year

#2. Number one contender bout has added pressure

Max Holloway is no stranger to the pressure of vying for a championship. As the only American to secure the UFC featherweight belt, surely the former champion is eager to get back to his coveted throne. Since Rodriguez has been away from competition, many questions surround his approach to a fight this important.

Some have called for Max Holloway to receive another shot at the championship. Even before he demolished Kattar, it seemed the public was ready for Holloway to fight for gold again. However, part of what makes 'Blessed' such a viable contender is his willingness to step into the octagon and reacquaint himself with his craft.

Max Holloway is seemingly on the cusp of title contention. After setting records in his last fight, 'Blessed' appears to be headed towards new levels of greatness.

Max Holloway moments before fighting

Meanwhile, with Yair Rodriguez ranked at No. 3, the featherweight is in short order for gold if he walks away victorious when the two cross paths. Holding a nearly fifty percent finishing rate as a professional, Rodriguez can end a fight in a flash. The featherweight has shown as much against the likes of Andre Fili and BJ Penn, but questions over how he handles the big moment remain.

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#1. Max Holloway and Yair Rodriguez are offensive dyanamos

The pair of featherweights love to dish it out. According to UFC stats, Max Holloway's strikes landed per minute (SLPM) is 7.26. Comparatively, Rodriguez shares an SLPM of 4.33. Since the numbers indicate the two fighters will stay very busy each round, that is evidence in and of itself that the fight will be pure chaos.

Rodriguez is a little more elusive than Max Holloway. With less of an inclination to absorb strikes, 'El Pantera' finds a way to not get hit but still fire off on offense. The range of kicks Rodriguez offers will be by far his most effective weapon against Holloway.

In particular, in his fight against Chan Sung Jung, Rodriguez showed off some impressive leg kicks while moving backward. The Mexico native has a comprehensive toolbox. The 29-year-old utilized a spinning elbow technique that landed clean on 'The Korean Zombie' in the final second of the fifth round.

Judging by their respective stats, neither fighter tends to go for takedowns either. With two athletes that offer a fluid style of striking, the bout will undoubtedly be a contender when it comes time to pick the Fight of the Year for 2021.