On 13 November 2010, Rigondeaux fought Ricardo Cordoba on the undercard of the WBC super welterweight title fight between Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito at the Cowboys Stadium, Dallas, in front of 41,734 people. This was the biggest fight in Rigondeaux's career to date. Rigondeaux knocked Cordoba down in the fourth round with a body shot but was judged to be knocked down himself in the sixth, in what appeared to be a slip. Despite appearing to win clearly, the fight was judged a split decision, with Rigondeaux the victor and becoming a world champion in his seventh bout, winning the interim WBA super bantamweight title.

On 19 March 2011, Rigondeaux fought Willie Casey at the City West Convention Centre in Dublin, Ireland. This was Rigondeaux's first defense of his interim WBA title. A sweeping left uppercut in the opening round caught Casey flush and sent him back on his rear causing his glove to touch the mat at 1 minute and 45 seconds. He was up immediately and received a mandatory eight-count. A combination ending with a left hook sent Casey falling across the ring and down at 2 minutes and 19 seconds. He was able to make it to his feet but was visibly wobbled. A follow-up barrage sent Casey stumbing forward, prompting the referee to step in and call an end to the bout.

World super bantamweight champion Rigondeaux knocking down Ramos on 20 January 2012, Rigondeaux won the full WBA super bantamweight title by knocking out champion and The Ring magazine's No. 2 ranked super bantamweight, Rico Ramos (20-0-11 KOs), in the sixth round. Rigondeaux controlled the opening round against a tentative Ramos. He quickly moved into range and fired the left hand both to the body and upstairs. A straight left had caught Ramos against the ropes and sent him down at 2 mnutes and 24 seconds of the opening round. He was up quickly and received a mandatory eight-count. Rigondeaux attacked but Ramos gathered himself and finished the round. Output waned in the second and third rounds with both fighters looking for counter-punch opportunites neither seeming overly willing to open up. An accidental clash of heads opened a small cut on the outside of Ramos' left eyebrow near the end of round 4. Rigondeaux was warned in round 6 for pulling down the back of Ramos' head. Immediatly after the warning, Rigondeaux came forward with a barrage and landed a clean left hand to the body that sent Ramos to the canvas grimacing in pain. He remained down on his back as the referee reached the count of ten.