European MMA 1: Hvem er Hyram Rodriguez?

Lørdagens titelkamp om den ledige European MMA titel i letvægtsklassen, er en revanchekamp mellem danske Kenneth Rosfort-Nees og hollandske Hyram Rodriguez, der senest mødte hinanden i maj i en tæt og hårdt kæmpet fight, hvor Kenneth Rosfort-Nees vandt på point.

Hvem er så ham der Hyram Rodriguez? Fightfan.dk har talt med ham.

Fightfan.dk:
For the danish audience, who might not know you, can you tell them a bit about yourself?

Hyram Rodriguez:
It would be an honor to finally introduce myself to the Danish fans.
I’m 30 years old and a husband and father of three. Born and raised on the beautiful island of Aruba. I left to study physical education in Holland when I was 19. I started practicing MMA at the age of 24, and have been doing it full time since.

I started my MMA career as a pure boxer and found out pretty fast, that I would need to learn the other martial arts as well, if I wanted to be successful.
As soon as I got involved with the other arts as well, I started feeling like Casanova, (Hyram griner), because I was in love with all of them (Hyram griner endnu mere). That’s probably why I don’t have a standard style. I believe mixing up the styles during a fight, would be my most effective game, although I tend to fight my opponents fight most of the time.

I guess it’s a part of my character, if I fight a grappler I would like to submit him and if I fight a striker I’d love to knock him out.

 

Fightfan.dk:
Your last fight with Kenneth ended in a decision after 3 rounds. It went to kenneth and you looked very angry when it was announced. Did you feel robbed? …and what happened in your eyes?

Hyram Rodriguez:
The initial feeling was definitely one of being robbed. I was very upset about the decision. After the second round my corner told me, that I was up two rounds and not to get to exited going for the finish. After the 3rd round I felt I did what was asked and that I clearly won the fight. When I got to the hotel though, I started hating myself. I always grow in fights, meaning: the longer the fight goes, the better I get and the more my opponent starts to fade. This wasn’t the case in this fight, it seemed like I was fading, which made me angry at myself. Usually the 3rd round is my best round, and it wasn’t this time.

Fightfan.dk:
We heard you protested the decision afterwards, what came out of that? Does the loss still stand, or was it ruled no contest?

Hyram Rodriguez:
Yes, the promoter came up to me after the fight and said that, if I didn’t agree with the decision, I could send in a protest. My coach was pissed as well and decided to send in the protest. The title fight is what came out of it I guess. The loss stands, but I wanted the rematch and I not only got the rematch, I also got a chance to fight for the title, witch I really appreciate. I guess my win over Kenneth at CFN 2 will avenge the loss. That’s all that matters; I don’t care what’s on paper. I just want to avenge the loss for my fans.

 

Fightfan.dk:
Now you get a chance to avenge the loss, as you said – have you changed anyting in your gameplan for this second fight?

Hyram Rodriguez:
Let me put it like this. As I said earlier: “ After the second round my corner told me I’m up two rounds, so I shouldn’t push for the finish, if it comes it comes”. This time my corner tells me; “make sure you try to finish the fight every second of every round”!

Fightfan.dk:
What would you say your greatest strength in the cage is?

Hyram Rodriguez:
My greatest strength would have to be my will to win. I don’t believe I’m the best at anything, but I do believe that I can beat the best at everything. This is probably what got me trough the first episode of my career. I started fighting pro after training for a little les that one year. If it wasn’t for my will to win, I wouldn’t have been able to get past it.

 

Fightfan.dk:
Do you have any idols in the sport?

Hyram Rodriguez:
I definitely have idols in the sport. My first was BJ Penn, especially after he fought Machida at Light Heavyweight. I also like Anderson Silva, Benson Henderson, Jose Aldo, Cain Velasques and there is definitely a special place in my heart for the Scrap Pack with Nick Diaz as their leader.

Fightfan.dk:
Any last remarks or anything you want to get off your chest?

Hyram Rodriguez:
First of all I have to say that I love Danish MMA. The fans really understand the game and I’m more than proud to be able to fight for the title, and hopefully be your next lightweight champ Denmark.

I would like to send a shout out to team Fit4fight, my teammates at ATF Militia/Gracie Barra, Budokai Tilburg and Quality Sport centre. My media team FlyingHigh Productions, and last but not least all my fans, family and friends. Thank you all very very much for the support trough out the years, and I promise to bring all I got come September 15th! Ush!

Fightfan.dk:
Thank you for taking your time for this interview, best of luck in the fight this weekend.

Hyram Rodriguez:
Thank you. See you then!

 

Der er altså lagt op til lidt af et brag, når Hyram træder ind i buret på lørdag mod Kenneth Rosfort, til deres “rematch”. Vi har selvfølgelig også talt med Kenneth om kampen, og det kan du læse om i morgen her på forsiden.

Indtil da, kan du fornøje dig med Kanal Sports eget optaktsprogram, som kan ses lige her.

 

Af: Jesper S. Baek
Foto: Jesper S. Baek