This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Yair Rodriguez announced his contention in UFC's featherweight division in the clearest way possible — a thunderous head kick knockout delivered to Andre Fili in April at UFC 197.
The 23-year-old Mexican is undefeated in his first three UFC fights after winning "The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America," climbing to a No. 13 ranking in the 145 pound division with wins over Leonardo Morales, Charles Rosa, Dan Hooker and Fili.
His first highlight event will come Saturday at Vivint SmartHome Arena against wily veteran Alex Caceres in the main event of UFC Fight Night 92.
"This is my first main card, I'm the headliner of the main card. I feel pretty happy, but it's not my goal, it's not just what I want," Rodriguez told UFC.com at the event's open workouts. "My goals are up there, high up there."
Caceres' kicks also pack a wallop. He struggled entering 2016, but is coming off two straight unanimous decision victories since January over Masio Fullen and Cole Miller.
He isn't putting too much stock in being a main event attraction after a five-year, 14 fight UFC career, but said that testing himself in a longer fight format is his main priority.
"Being the main event doesn't really put anymore importance on the fight … Our styles matchup very well and it's going to be a five round battle," Caceres told UFC.com.
The fight will either propel Rodriguez into a new level of competition or notch another win for a veteran making his way in a class dominated by Conor McGregor and Jose Aldo.
"It's going to have to be a scrap," Caceres said. "Expect the unexpected."
Other highlights on the card include the seasoned Cub Swanson vs. Tasuya Kawajiri, with Swanson seeking to break back into the featherweight title fight conversation. Utah native Court McGee looks to rebound from a loss in April, headlining the preliminary fights against Dominique Steele.
Rodriguez is looking beyond Saturday for where his career trajectory could go next and said "it's probably going to take me one more fight to get to the title shot."
The newcomer isn't shying away from the path before him in one of the deepest divisions in the sport. "I'm looking to be champion of the world," he said.
Twitter: @BrennanJSmith —
UFC Fight Night 92
Saturday at Vivint SmartHome Arena
Preliminaries: 4:30 p.m.
Main card: 8 p.m.