Jesse Rodriguez is caught in a predicament, counting his chickens before they hatch.

The Ring and WBC super flyweight champion (21-0, 14 KOs) has a title unification fight against WBO beltholder Phumelela Cafu (11-0-3, 8 KOs) on Saturday at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas to headline a Matchroom Boxing card on DAZN.

But before he could best Cafu, the bold baby-faced assassin has already agreed to an undisputed title fight against WBA and IBF champion Fernando “Puma” Martinez on Nov. 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of a stacked card headlined by David Benavidez-Anthony Yarde.

Rodriguez is a minus-3000 betting favorite to beat Cafu, according to DraftKings.

“I don't know much about him, honestly, but he did go on the road to get that big win in Japan against Kosei Tanaka in October for the title,” Rodriguez told The Ring. “I know he's coming in motivated to do the same against me in Texas. I just know that there is a lot at risk for me. I have everything to lose. Cafu has nothing to lose and everything to gain. That motivates me to make sure that doesn't happen. I'm staying hungry with that mentality.”

Rodriguez has been on a meteoric rise over the last three years. He’s rated No. 7 in The Ring’s pound-for-pound rankings after beating Juan Francisco Estrada, Sunny Edwards, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Carlos Cuadras to become a two-division champion.

“I need to go out there and dominate another world champion like Cafu to keep climbing up the pound-for-pound rankings,” said Rodriguez. “My hand will be raised at the end of the night.”

Rodriguez, a 25-year-old from San Antonio, Texas, keeps his family close by while working with with reigning Trainer of the Year Robert Garcia in Southern California. Most fighters prepare in isolation away from home, but Rodriguez relishes having his pregnant girlfriend and one-year-old daughter with him in camp.

“I like having them around, I feel like I am back at home,” said Rodriguez, who’s expecting a boy in November.

“Maybe for others it's stressful, but for me it's relaxing and keeps me at ease. My girlfriend is a great partner and helps out a lot, mentally and physically. I am blessed to have them around. When I got into the camp, my daughter started walking during the first week. I would have missed that if I were back home and had been mad at myself forever. It's another reason why I bring them out, so I don't miss any huge milestones.”

Whether it’s inside the ring or outside of it, milestones await the Mexican-American matrix in what is shaping up to be a momentous 2025.