It seems that this will be a fight where Jesse applies pressure while Cafu works as the second number, with occasional shifts in initiative and attempts to build longer-than-usual counterattacks. Unless the fighters have surprises in store for each other, this scenario looks like the most logical one.

Both fighters are capable of boxing as both the aggressor and counterpuncher. But typically, when pressure is applied to Cafu, he calmly yields the initiative. He’s perfectly comfortable allowing the opponent to take control while responding with short, accurate counters.

Take his previous fight against Kosei Tanaka, for example. The Japanese fighter launched an active offensive, so Fumnanya let go of control and focused on sharp counters. It paid off: he scored a knockdown and won by decision.

Jesse, too, is willing to fight off the back foot if the opponent comes in aggressively. His timing and accuracy allow him to do so. However, in this matchup, Rodriguez looks more likely to be the one pressing the action for most of the fight.

Rodriguez is 25, Cafu is 26. This is the physical prime for fighters in the lighter weight classes.

Fumnanya is coming off a great win against Tanaka in a fight where he was the underdog. It was an excellent victory but his only major one so far. It's no comparison to his opponent.

Jesse has beaten Sunny Edwards, Juan Francisco Estrada, and Israel Gonzalez in his last three fights. And even before that, his resume stands out clearly when measured against Cafu’s.

Overall, Jesse doesn’t conserve energy in the ring. But when comparing his recent fights to those of Cafu, the South African threw nearly a hundred punches more. He put in a lot of work against Tanaka, for example.

But that's not the key takeaway. Rodriguez is currently one of the most accurate boxers in the world. For instance, his average accuracy is nearly 30% higher than that of Tanaka – 42% versus 16%. In jabs, there’s an 18% difference – 28% versus 10%. And the gap in power punches is enormous – 57% versus 22%.

In total, Rodriguez landed an average of 44 power punches per fight while throwing just 77. That kind of efficiency explains his three straight stoppage wins.

Last year, Rodriguez fought twice – both fights totaled just ten rounds, as he knocked out Estrada and Gonzalez. Cafu fought only once, scoring a decision win over Tanaka in Japan.

Interestingly, Jesse has a lower knockout percentage, but he may still have the edge. There are a few reasons. First, his accuracy. He lands his shots at the perfect moment and in the right spots – a huge challenge for any opponent.

Second, the level of opposition. Rodriguez has been stopping elite fighters. That body shot knockout of Estrada was elite-level execution.

Cafu was excellent at capitalizing on Tanaka’s mistakes and has legitimate power. But is that enough against someone like Rodriguez?

Estrada did manage to drop Jesse – it looked more like a flash knockdown than a serious one. Otherwise, Rodriguez has shown he can take punches well. Cafu, too, is sturdy. Both fighters will have to work to earn a stoppage.

Rodriguez will fight in Frisco for the second time in his career. The last time he fought there, he stopped Marco Sustaita. This is essentially a home fight – Frisco is in Texas, Jesse’s home state.

The South African is making his U.S. debut. Most of his fights have been at home. But his first trip abroad – to Japan – ended successfully when he became a world champion.

For Cafu, this is a challenge not just of skill. Jesse already has his next opponent confirmed – Fernando Martinez in the fall for unification. That makes this a matter of pride: breaking into the plans of a team that’s looking ahead and beating their man. Especially since Cafu has already proven he can win as an underdog on foreign soil.

For Jesse, the stakes are just as high. He has to prove that the Martinez announcement wasn’t a case of looking past Cafu, but part of a bigger plan to become undisputed. That means not just winning, but doing so convincingly and impressively.

Rodriguez doesn’t just want belts. He wants to lead the pound-for-pound list. To do that, he must extend his knockout streak to four straight.