Daniel Zellhuber Draws Inspiration from Yair Rodriguez Ahead of UFC 306

Mexican MMA rising star Daniel Zellhuber (15-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is set to compete at UFC 306 on September 14, but his journey to the octagon started years ago with an unexpected inspiration—fellow Mexican fighter Yair Rodriguez.

Rodriguez (18-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) made waves in 2014 when he won Season 1 of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America, representing Team Mexico under the guidance of coach Cain Velasquez. His victory not only put Mexico on the MMA map but also led to him becoming the interim UFC featherweight champion. For Zellhuber, Rodriguez’s success sparked a passion for MMA that has driven him ever since.

“When I really got into MMA, it was during The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America. One of the first fighters I ever watched and became a fan of was Yair,” Zellhuber told MMA Junkie Radio. “It’s funny that we’re friends now, but I remember watching him in the tournament, seeing how much he wanted to win. His whole career has been inspiring to me.”

Zellhuber has since moved to Las Vegas, training at the renowned Xtreme Couture gym, where he’s assembled a team of coaches, including Jorge Capetillo, Dewey Cooper, and Hector Vasquez. The result? Three consecutive UFC wins, with two fight bonuses to his name. He credits his success to surrounding himself with the right people and putting in the work necessary to evolve.

“Training in Vegas is important, but it’s not enough to succeed,” Zellhuber explained. “I needed to build the right team around me. That’s when I found my coaches, and I feel like I’m finally in the best place I can be.”

Now, Zellhuber is looking to make a statement on a historic night for Mexican MMA. He’ll face Esteban Ribovics (13-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) on the UFC 306 main card at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The event, known as Noche UFC, is dedicated to celebrating Mexican Independence Day and the achievements of Mexican fighters.

With his sights set on victory, Zellhuber believes this is just the beginning. “I’m in a great spot right now,” he said. “I’m ready to show what I can do and keep working toward becoming a world champion.”