Daniel Rodriguez has stepped up to the plate.
Shortly after Sean Brady withdrew Saturday from UFC on ESPN 30, Rodriguez (15-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) raised his hand to step in against Kevin Lee. Days later, the UFC offer has come and Rodriguez will face Lee on Aug. 28.
Two people with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie after an initial report Wednesday from Cageside Press, but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Daniel Rodriguez has offered to step in vs. Kevin Lee at #UFCVegas35 on Aug. 28, per his management @UpgradeMG. I’d certainly watch.
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) August 10, 2021
Rodriguez rides a two-fight winning streak into the matchup, which includes a unanimous decision win over Mike Perry, and more recently, a knockout of UFC newcomer Preston Parsons. His only promotional loss to date was a controversial decision defeat to Nicolas Dalby at UFC 255 in November.
Lee (18-6 MMA, 11-6 UFC), who enters the fight after two canceled bookings vs. Brady, has lost three of his most recent five outings. He returns to welterweight after a 1-1 drop to lightweight.
With the addition, the UFC on ESPN 30 lineup includes:
- Edson Barboza vs. Giga Chikadze
- Kevin Lee vs. Daniel Rodriguez
- Sara McMann vs. Ketlen Vieira
- Gerald Meerschaert vs. Makhmud Muradov
- Sam Alvey vs. Wellington Turman
- Mario Bautista vs. Guido Cannetti
- Jamall Emmers vs. Pat Sabatini
- JJ Aldrich vs. Tracy Cortez
- Alessio Di Chirico vs. Aliaskhab Khizriev
- Dustin Jacoby vs. Darren Stewart
