MEXICO CITY — “The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America” featherweight winner Yair Rodriguez holds the dubious distinction of being the guy to lose his lunch on camera at UFC 188.

But according to UFC President Dana White, he was far from the only one to get sick at the mile-plus-high event at Mexico City Arena in Mexico City.

“People think Denver is a tough place to fight,” said White, referring to the thin air that had fighters gasping for it at UFC 135 in 2011. “This is a tough place to fight. I think we broke the record for guys puking in the back. Like six guys threw up after their fights.

“This altitude kills you.”

Rodriguez (5-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) still managed to beat Charles Rosa (10-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) on the pay-per-view main card. But he certainly paid a price that will probably be measured in .gifs of his awkward post-fight interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan.

For newly minted UFC heavyweight camp Fabricio Werdum, it was a far different experience. The Brazilian spent nearly a month training for UFC 188 in Toluca, Mexico, which lies 8,750 feet above sea level. That’s more than 1,400 feet higher than Mexico City.

By contrast, now-former champ Cain Velasquez was in Mexico City just two weeks before Saturday’s pay-per-view headliner and admitted it might have been too little to acclimate.

“Cain’s been off for two years, and the first two rounds are two of the sickest heavyweight rounds you’ll ever see at this type of altitude,” White said. “The guys were just squared up and blasting each other, and I think Werdum came up with a great game plan.”

Getting Velasquez (13-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) to shoot for a takedown turned out to be a stroke of genius for Werdum (20-5-1 MMA, 8-2 UFC), who cinched a guillotine choke and forced a tap in the third round.

For Rodriguez, it was easier to give up a takedown than shoot for one. The Mexican waged a flashy attack early, but expired as the fight went into the third round and Rosa waged a counterattack.

Despite the grossness that followed, Rodriguez didn’t squander any of the goodwill he earned with his win.

“He’s a superstar in the making,” White said. “He does not have a lot of experience yet, and he’s only going to get better. I was blown away by his performance tonight. He reminded me of (Anthony) ‘Showtime’ Pettis.”

Still, White may be dealing out hazard pay for the aftermath of his and others’ post-fight troubles.

For more on UFC 188, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

Clay Collard Gabriel Benitez Gabriel Benitez and Clay Collard Cathal Pendred Augusto Montano Augusto Montano and Cathal Pendred Johnny Case Francisco Trevino Francisco Trevino and Johnny Case Patrick Williams Alejandro Perez Alejandro Perez and Patrick Williams Drew Dober Efrain Escudero Efrain Escudero and Drew Dober Chico Camus Henry Cejudo Henry Cejudo and Chico Camus Angela Hill Tecia Torres Tecia Torres and Angela Hill Charles Rosa Yair Rodriguez Yair Rodriguez and Charles Rosa Nate Marquardt Kelvin Gastelum Kelvin Gastelum and Nate Marquardt Eddie Alvarez Gilbert Melendez Gilbert Melendez and Eddie Alvarez Fabricio Werdum Cain Velasquez Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum