Brad Tavares experienced ‘but his time is gone’

Gregory Rodrigues is able to springboard his profession off of Brad Tavares.

Rodrigues (14-5 MMA, 5-2 UFC) meets Tavares (20-8 MMA, 15-8 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC Battle Evening 236 (ESPN+) most important card on the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Tavares, a perennial middleweight contender, has fought nearly each notable title, from former champions Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker and Chris Weidman to present champion Dricus Du Plessis. Rodrigues thinks beating somebody like Tavares might be his ticket to an enormous combat.

“Brad fought perhaps everybody within the division,” Rodrigues mentioned at Wednesday’s UFC Battle Evening 236 media day. “He has plenty of expertise, however I consider his time is gone and now’s my time. I’m prepared for this.

“And when you see so most of the guys that fought him and beat him, they fought in opposition to somebody on the high. I don’t know if that’s going to occur, in the event that they’re going to supply me, however I consider it’s going to be one good step in my profession.”

Rodrigues eager to combat top-level competitors is extra of a want than a requirement. He’s prepared to place within the needed work to get there.

“I’m not going to hurry,” Rodrigues mentioned. “I don’t wish to be like, ‘Oh, I want that.’ I wish to do what I must do. My plan is 2 extra fights this yr – perhaps in the midst of the yr and the tip of the yr. I consider I’ll end this yr on high of the contenders and my objective is to be a champion. I’m wanting up, and I’ll take my time – however I’ll climb that.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Fight Night 236.