There’s usually a trade-off. The higher the competition, the more inactive a fighter gets.

Fans hate it and pundits find it infuriating. Even the fighters themselves believe it’s vexing. Yet, for whatever reason, that’s just the way it goes. Jesse "Bam’" Rodriguez has found a way to fight top-level opposition frequently.

It's almost the halfway point of 2025, however, and Rodriguez hasn’t walked through those ropes yet. That’s because negotiations for his next appearance, which normally goes smoothly, had a few roadblocks. Whatever those issues ultimately were, Rodriguez and his team got past them.

The 25-year-old will go head-to-head with Phumelela Cafu in a WBC/WBO super flyweight unification on July 19. Needless to say, he’s the happiest man you can find.

“I’m feeling great,” Rodriguez told The Ring. “I’m happy to be back in the mix.”

Cafu, 26, has been on a roll lately, stopping four of his last seven opponents. Despite handing out KOs, Cafu doesn’t bring the name recognition to Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KOs).

He might be young, but in terms of fight experience Rodriguez is a vet. In just his 15th and 16th pro fights, he took home the heads of Carlos Cuadras and Sor Rungvisai. Even Juan Francisco Estrada, who’s generally viewed higher historically than both, didn’t stand much of a chance, losing via eighth-round stoppage in June 2024.

After facing three possible Hall of Famers, it would be easy for Rodriguez to fall into a lackadaisical trap. For those expecting him to put up a dud due to a loss of focus or motivation, he insists they’ll be pleasantly surprised.

“I know what’s at stake and he’s a world champion himself,” Rodriguez said. “Those are the type of fights that get me up 100%.”