UFC Fight Night Mexico, taking place on February 28, 2026, at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, we see a fascinating crossroads fight between the debuting prospect Imanol Rodriguez and the battle-tested Kevin Borjas.
With Rodriguez fighting in front of his home crowd and Borjas looking to play the role of the spoiler, the stakes are high for both 125-pounders.
Tale of the Tape: Rodriguez vs. Borjas
To understand this matchup, we first look at the physical and statistical profiles of both athletes according to the data.
| Feature | Imanol Rodriguez | Kevin Borjas |
| Record | 6-0 (1 NC/Exhibition loss) | 10-4 |
| Nickname | “Himan” | “El Gallo Negro” |
| Age | 26 | 28 |
| Height | 5’4″ | 5’5″ |
| Reach | 64.5″ | 68″ |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Finish Rate | 100% | 80% |
Imanol Rodriguez: The Rising Mexican Star
Imanol Rodriguez enters his UFC debut with a massive wave of momentum.
Known for his explosive power and deep combat sports background, including world-class experience in Sambo and Judo, Rodriguez is far more than just a brawler.
He secured his spot on the roster with a vicious first-round knockout of Roque Conceicao on Dana White’s Contender Series in late 2025.
Key Strengths of Rodriguez:
- One-Punch Power: At flyweight, genuine knockout power is rare. Rodriguez has it in spades, with five of his six professional wins coming via KO/TKO.
- Grappling Pedigree: As a black belt in Judo and a Master of Sambo, his ability to control where the fight takes place is a major asset.
- Atmosphere Advantage: Fighting in Mexico City provides a unique energy that often carries local fighters through tough moments.
Kevin Borjas: The Experienced Gatekeeper
Kevin Borjas is the more experienced man inside the Octagon, but his UFC journey has been a rocky road. Since earning his contract on the Contender Series in 2023, he has gone 1-3 in the promotion.
However, those losses came against high-level competition like Joshua Van and Alessandro Costa.
Borjas is a high-volume striker who relies on his 3.5-inch reach advantage to keep opponents at the end of his punches.
Key Strengths of Borjas:
- Octagon Experience: He has already dealt with the “UFC jitters” and has fought three-round wars at the highest level.
- Volume Striking: Borjas tends to throw more than his opponents, which can sway judges in close rounds.
- Durability: Despite some losses, Borjas is notoriously difficult to put away early, often pushing fights to the final bell.
Fighting Styles and Matchup Analysis
This fight is a classic “prospect vs. veteran” test. Borjas likes to maintain distance and peck away with long jabs and low kicks.
His path to victory involves frustrating Rodriguez, dragging him into the later rounds, and winning a decision through activity.
Rodriguez, however, is a hunter. He doesn’t just look to score points; he looks to end the night.
His training with Daniel Cormier and the Blackxicans crew has sharpened his wrestling, meaning if Borjas starts to find success on the feet, Rodriguez can easily transition to a heavy top-control game.
The reach advantage for Borjas is significant, but Rodriguez has shown an uncanny ability to close the gap with “blitz” entries that catch opponents off guard.
Imanol Rodriguez vs Kevin Borjas Prediction
While Borjas has the experience, he has struggled with fighters who can match his pace or overpower him.
Imanol Rodriguez appears to be a special talent with the grappling floor to stay safe and the striking ceiling to end the fight at any moment.
Expect Rodriguez to be aggressive early. Borjas might find some success with his jab in the opening minutes, but once Rodriguez finds his range, the power difference will be evident.
We expect “Himan” to use a mixture of clinch work and heavy overhands to break Borjas down.
Official Prediction: Imanol Rodriguez wins via TKO, Round 2.