LAS VEGAS – Modestino Rodrigues isn't letting the circumstances of his UFC contract-earning performance ruin his vibe.
At Dana White's Contender Series 90 on Tuesday, Rodrigues (8-1) finished opponent Brandon Holmes (6-2) in a mere 15 seconds. However, the stoppage was deemed early by many viewers, including UFC CEO Dana White, who called it "horrible" and declared it "one of the worst stoppages I've seen on Contender Series."
Still, White awarded Rodrigues a contract and pointed to the fact that Rodrigues did his job and should not be punished as a result of a controversial officiating decision.
"I'm very happy because I worked very hard for this moment," Rodrigues told MMA Junkie and other reporters through an interpreter backstage after the event.
"... I get in there to do my work. Everything flows from the work we put in there. I get in there and do my job, and the ref has to do his, as well. I feel that I did mine, and I feel that if the fight had lasted five more seconds, I would've finished that fight."
Rodrigues, 22, maintained his 100 percent TKO finish rate in victories. UFC fans can expect more where that came from, he said.
"That's what it is," Rodrigues said. "It's the energy I bring in. When I get in there, it takes over me, and I just notice right away. I'm very energetic but also intelligent at the same time and play smart. When I saw the first two hands get in, I was like, 'This is the moment. I need to finish this fight right now and get my contract.'"
The UFC has liked quickly turning around some of the more impressive signees on this season of DWCS. Rodrigues barely broke a sweat and will be ready for whenever his first UFC bout offer comes through.
"As I said, everything is new to me," Rodrigues said. "Whatever Dana says, whatever my manager says, whatever the matchmaker says, I'll be ready. This is my job. That's work, and I'll be ready to take on more work."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC contract winner Modestino Rodrigues reacts to controversial DWCS stoppage
