Pure Motivation

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Thoughts of impending fatherhood provide Gregory Rodrigues with all the inspiration he needs.

The former Legacy Fighting Alliance titleholder will look to improve to 3-1 in the Ultimate Fighting Championship when he confronts Dana White’s Contender Series graduate Julian Marquez in a UFC on ESPN 37 middleweight showcase this Saturday at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. With Rodrigues’ wife expecting their first child—a daughter they plan to name Serena—in a matter of months, he has his foot on the emotional accelerator.

“I’m excited that I’ll soon be a daddy,” Rodrigues told Sherdog.com. “My wife and I had been trying for about two years. It happened at the right time. Now, I have an even greater motivation to get this win.”

Rodrigues operates out of the powerhouse Sanford MMA academy in Deerfield Beach, Florida, where he has daily access to renowned trainers—including Henri Hooft and Daniel Mendes—and an ever-growing cast of world-class stablemates. The experience has proved invaluable for the Brazilian.

“It’s one of the best places I’ve trained in my life,” Rodrigues said. “I’ve been in several great gyms with several great coaches in my career. I’m very thankful for that. Today, I have a large variety of training partners who can emulate any kind of opponent. It’s what every fighter wants. I have everything I need. I’m ready to conquer this new challenge. I love what I do. No one will stop me.”

The 30-year-old Rodrigues finds himself on the rebound following a contentious split decision loss to decorated Armenian kickboxer Armen Petrosyan at UFC Fight Night 202 in February. He completed two takedowns and made passes at two submission attempts, but his efforts were not enough to overcome a 128-61 deficit in the striking department. Scores were 28-29, 29-28 and 27-30.

“It was very debatable,” Rodrigues said. “Just about all news outlets, as well as social media, felt I won. I thought so, too, but life goes on. That’s in the past. I can’t turn back time. I’m ready for the next one. It was a great fight. Even when we miss our target, things can still go right. Now, I’m looking to be stronger and even better prepared, so there are no doubts in the end.”

Marquez, 32, will not be an easy nut to crack. The Glory MMA representative enters the cage on the strength of back-to-back victories, having won seven of his past eight bouts. However, Marquez has not fought since he put Sam Alvey to sleep with a rear-naked choke at UFC on ABC 2 more than a year ago. “The Cuban Missile Crisis” has never been finished.

“I like this matchup,” Rodrigues said. “Julian is very experienced. He’s super tough. I respect his abilities, but I know who I am and who I’m turning into. I have sufficient weapons to face anyone in our weight class. I’m ready to bring this win home. I’m happy the UFC offered me a well-known fighter. I know how far I can go.

“Julian has multiple submission wins, but I believe I also have high-level jiu-jitsu,” he added. “That’s where I come from. Jiu-jitsu is my home. My striking has improved significantly at Sanford. I have everything I need to be victorious, no matter where the fight goes.”

Win or lose, Rodrigues shows no shortage of ambition as he moves forward at 185 pounds.

“I’m very happy with my career at the moment,” he said, “but this is just the beginning. I have far to travel. I can hardly wait for what’s next. I’m ready for my next challenges.”