Milwaukee's Christian Rodriguez guided in UFC by 'Showtime' Pettis, wants to rep the city

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- For Christian Rodriguez, his start in MMA was to become tough.

"I was getting bullied a lot in middle school," UFC Featherweight Christian Rodriguez says. "And my dad was not the biggest fan of it. So, this one time I got into a fistfight. But it didn't go my way. And my dad being my dad, he was like, it's time for you to learn some self-defense."

In a tough part of town.

"Here and there, there would be a couple bodies throughout the parks. So, it was very rough growing up," Rodriguez says.

Now a growing UFC star who trains at Roufusport, he credits his past with today.

"Milwaukee really made me. It made me into the person I am now," Rodriguez says. "I'm very happy and grateful for this opportunity. If it wasn't for Milwaukee, I wouldn't be here."

And what will help his future as well.

"Yeah, I'd love to represent Milwaukee as the city where it gives people dreams," Rodriguez says.

Now he's drawn the attention of another Milwaukee legend, Anthony "Showtime" Pettis.

"The first UFC fight I'd ever seen was Anthony Pettis winning the belt here," Rodriguez says. "So having him in my corner, him guiding me, guiding my career, it means a lot."

As the featherweight posted a recent big upset win to say anything is possible.

"I really wanna be UFC champion one day," Rodriguez says. "But for now, hopefully, get a fight by the springtime. And just keep building my name up and repping my city."