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Yair Rodriguez might have reached the first low of his UFC career, but not even the clear-cut defeat to Frankie Edgar, who brought his six-fight winning streak inside the Octagon to a screeching halt, shakes the mood of the 24-year-old top talent. Rodriguez says he has more ambitious plans for his fighting future than one might expect from him, and "El Pantera" is determined to accomplish those goals.



After achieving status as a top prospect over six UFC wins, Rodriguez appeared at UFC 211 last May in search of a featherweight title shot. These hopes were derailed by former lightweight champion Edgar, who defeated Rodriguez by doctor stoppage after round two.



"I've learned a lot of things," Rodriguez said. "I fought one of the best fighters in the world, who has a lot more experience than I do, an impressive background and a very high level. I think I absorbed good things from that fight for my career.



"There have been technical flaws on my side. I would have liked to work a little more. [I wanted to] stop his attacks [but] in the end, he was superior to me. That's part of the sport, it's a strategy game."



After accumulating six wins inside the octagon, including a knockout over UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn, it could be said the Mexican fighter had achieved the right to test himself against the best of his division. And, leaving aside criticism about the technical gap between Rodriguez and Edgar, he wants to continue fighting against the best.



"If you tell me that I can fight for the belt a week from now, I fight," Rodriguez said. "No one wanted to fight Frankie Edgar, though he was a quality fighter, [but] I don't care about those things. I am here to face the best in the world. I didn't come to the [UFC] for less. I think the opponents that I have faced are the best in the world. And against Frankie Edgar, I didn't lose anything. I gained a lot of experience. No matter if you fall -- if you fall seven times, get up eight."



A month after his loss, Rodriguez watched the defeat of then-champion José Aldo to Max Holloway, which automatically put Frankie Edgar in the mix as a potential number one contender to face the Hawaiian. If Edgar indeed gets the winner of UFC 212's title fight, Rodriguez wouldn't mind to take on the loser.



"I would be happy to fight with José Aldo," Rodriguez stated. "He has already fought Frankie Edgar. I don't have any favorites to fight, I just want the belt, I have nothing against anyone in particular, [but] I would fight against a legend like José Aldo. It would also be interesting to fight against another striker.



"It would be quite an attractive fight for us [in Mexico] and for the whole world. I think everyone in the world knows José Aldo."



At only 24 years of age and sporting a record of ten wins and only two losses, Rodriguez is one of the most promising talents the UFC currently has at featherweight. Currently ranked at number seven in the official rankings, Rodriguez is seen by many as one of the personalities capable of making MMA even more popular in Latin America.



Aware of the situation, Rodriguez assures that he takes a lot of pride in his position.



"It's a great opportunity for me," Rodriguez said. "I accept it with great pride, I want to be a representative of the sport in Mexico and Latin America. I want to be a world representative, I want to be the Muhammad Ali of Mixed Martial Arts. I think it is possible with things going well - as they are going so far. It is no pressure to represent Latin America. It is actually a pride thing because I feel the affection and support of all the people who write to me."









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