TLDR
- Imanol Rodriguez won his UFC debut by stopping Kevin Borjas via second-round TKO at UFC Mexico City on February 28, 2026
- Rodriguez was knocked down twice in the first round before mounting his comeback
- An overhand right near the fence dropped Borjas at 4:21 of the second round, followed by ground strikes to end the fight
- Rodriguez earned a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus for the comeback victory
- The win keeps Rodriguez’s undefeated record intact in the flyweight division
Sources: MMA Mania | Sherdog | Bloody Elbow
Imanol Rodriguez kept his undefeated record alive with a dramatic comeback victory in his UFC debut at UFC Mexico City on February 28, 2026. The flyweight fighter stopped Kevin Borjas with a second-round TKO at 4:21 of round two.
The fight started poorly for Rodriguez, who was knocked down twice during the opening round. Borjas appeared to have control of the bout early, threatening to spoil Rodriguez’s highly-anticipated Octagon debut.
The Comeback Begins in Round Two
Rodriguez recovered between rounds and came out with renewed focus in the second period. He landed a powerful overhand right that dropped Borjas near the fence.
Rodriguez followed his opponent to the canvas and unleashed a barrage of ground strikes. The referee stopped the fight at 4:21 of the second round, giving Rodriguez the TKO victory.
The performance earned Rodriguez a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus. This was one of three bonuses awarded at the UFC Mexico City event.
Rodriguez is a protégé of former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier. He entered the Octagon with an undefeated record and maintained that status despite the early adversity.
Other Bonus Winners at UFC Mexico
British prospect Lone’er Kavanagh also earned a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus. He upset former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno in the main event via unanimous decision.
Kavanagh used his jab, leg kicks, and solid takedown defense to control the fight. The victory marked one of the biggest wins of his career against the favored Mexican fighter.
Regina Tarin and Ernesta Kareckaite received Fight of the Night honors. Both fighters took home $100,000 bonuses for their three-round battle at a 130-pound catchweight.
Tarin accepted the bout on just a few days’ notice. She won by unanimous decision after three rounds of action.
The UFC Mexico City event showcased several newcomers who made immediate impacts. Rodriguez’s comeback victory stood out as one of the most dramatic finishes of the night.
The flyweight division gained a new prospect to watch in Rodriguez. His ability to recover from early knockdowns and finish the fight demonstrated his resilience and finishing power.
Borjas entered the fight looking to make his own mark but could not withstand Rodriguez’s second-round assault. The loss came after he had appeared to be in control during the opening round.
Rodriguez’s overhand right proved to be the decisive blow in the flyweight contest. The punch changed the momentum of the fight completely and led directly to the stoppage finish at 4:21 of round two.
