Christian Rodriguez embracing UFC hype killer label while boosting own reputation

Christian Rodriguez hasn’t always loved the “hype killer” label, but more recently, he’s started to embrace it.

As he prepares for his UFC on ESPN 64 bout, Rodriguez (12-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) might have more hype of his own than ever, in large part due to his reputation as a party pooper. His last four wins have come against fighters with 7-0 (Raul Rosas Jr.), 9-0 (Cameron Saaiman), 6-0 (Isaac Dulgarian), and 11-0 (Austin Bashi) records.

“Before, it wasn’t really a big thing to me,” Rodriguez recently told MMA Junkie. “But ever since I started getting more comments and people messaging me on Instagram saying, ‘You’re the hype killer,’ I started liking it, too. I didn’t really embrace it until the last fight. But it’s been fun.”

Next time out, Rodriguez won’t have the opportunity to destroy a “0”, but he can knock another rising fighter off their current trajectory. He fights March 29 vs. Melquizael Costa at CDMX Arena in Mexico City. Costa (22-7 MMA, 3-2 UFC) has won back-to-back fights inside the distance.

“I know he’s been wanting this fight for a while because he’s been calling me out on social media,” Rodriguez said. “So I think it worked out perfectly for both of us. … I feel like every fight for me is personal. But I think when someone calls you out, they have that feeling they can beat you. It does get a little more intense. But I’m excited for the matchup. I think he’s a tough guy, but I’m excited.”

Well-familiar with Mexico due to extensive family ties, Rodriguez has relocated south of the border to acquaint himself with the elevation. He is training at the UFC Performance Institute in Mexico City and also cross-training with rising Mexican star “Lazy Boy” Ronaldo Rodriguez.

“Me and ‘Lazy Boy’ had a funny story. I met him two years ago when I was out in Vegas. I showed up to Xtreme Couture and we sparred each other. They almost kicked us out of Xtreme Couture. The coaches were like, ‘You guys need to chill out. You can’t be going that hard.’ But we never met each other. But that’s how we’ve become friends.”

Should he get through Costa successfully, Rodriguez thinks he’ll land somewhere near the UFC featherweight rankings for his next bout. A win would make it six out of seven for him.

“I feel like every fight that I’ve had has always had the potential of shooting me up,” Rodriguez said. “Just because it’s me fighting prospects. It’s not like I’m fighting some guy on a losing streak. They’re giving me tough people, people who a lot of people have their eyes on. Hopefully, I keep it going. Another win will get me a little closer to the rankings and that’s the goal.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 64.