Rodriguez moves up to bantamweight seeking third divisional title on DAZN

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez will challenge Antonio Vargas for the WBC bantamweight title on June 13 in Arizona. The fight marks Rodriguez’s move up in weight as he looks to secure a third divisional belt.

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Rodriguez (23-0, 16 KOs) moves up in weight, looking to add a third divisional title. Arizona has been a familiar setting for him. He won his first world title in Phoenix in 2022 against Carlos Cuadras and later returned to stop Juan Francisco Estrada to claim the WBC and Ring titles at super flyweight. He also unified at flyweight in the state with a stoppage win over Sunny Edwards.

His recent run has been built on consecutive stoppage wins. Rodriguez stopped Pedro Guevara in Philadelphia to retain his titles, then beat Phumelele Cafu in Texas to add the WBO belt. He followed that with a win over Fernando Martinez in Saudi Arabia to collect another title at 115 pounds.

Vargas (19-1-1, 11 KOs) enters as champion and steps into his highest-profile fight. The 29-year-old has held versions of the WBA title, including an interim belt win over Winston Guerrero in 2024. He later fought Daigo Higa to a draw in Japan and was elevated again after a scheduled bout with Seiya Tsutsumi failed to materialize.

Rodriguez said the move in weight does not change his target.

“New weight class, same goals, dominate and pick up all the belts,” he said. “On June 13, I look forward to becoming a three-division world champion.”

Vargas said he accepted the fight to test himself at the top level.

“Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, and that’s exactly why I took this fight,” he said. “I respect his skill and everything he brings to the ring, but I’m ready to prove that I’m one of the best in this weight class.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn said the fight follows Rodriguez’s recent contract extension and keeps him active at the highest level.

Undercard details and ticket information are expected to be announced at a later date.