And Still…the UCA Jr Middleweight Champion

Dusty Rodriguez, Santa Monica Fire Dept. successfully defended his title as the UCA Jr Middleweight State Champion Saturday night at Pechanga Resort & Casino by defeating the rugged and always tough #3 Brandon Manning, LASD. It was a championship performance by two warriors.  Rodriguez seemed to take control of the fight from the beginning bell. He set the pace and initiated the attacks. Manning kept his composure throughout the fight and wasn’t the aggressive, mauling, brawling fighter people are used too. In the 2^nd round Manning would catch Rodriguez with an overhand right that rattled the Champion. Rodriguez would say after the fight, “That was probably the hardest shot I’ve taken in a fight. With all my fights I have to say that was probably definitely the one that got my attention the most. Sparring I’ve had good shots but in an actual fight without a doubt that was the best.” Throughout the fight Rodriguez would find holes in Manning’s defense to land shots. Rodriguez found a home on Manning’s face for the lead left hook and did damage on the inside with uppercuts and body shots. Both fighters showed incredible toughness. In the end Rodriguez would not be denied victory. He landed a higher connect percentage, employed a diverse attack of lead left hooks, right hands and uppercuts and was the faster more elusive fighter. With the win, Rodriguez becomes the reigning and defending UCA Jr Middleweight State Champion.