Yair Rodriguez News

Harry Kettle - July 5, 2023

Yair Rodriguez has shown off the custom-made belt he has received ahead of his title fight at UFC 290 this weekend. After winning the UFC interim featherweight championship, Yair Rodriguez knew his next task was Alexander Volkanovski. ‘The Great’ is one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the sport and this Saturday, the two will collide as they unify the gold at 145 pounds. While Volkanovski is the favorite, many believe Rodriguez has what it takes to shock the world.

Cole Shelton - July 4, 2023

In the main event of UFC 290, the featherweight title is up for grabs as Alexander Volkanovski looks to defend his strap against Yair Rodriguez. Heading into the fight, Volkanovski is a massive -400 favorite while the Mexican is a +285 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight at UFC 290, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. To no surprise, the pros are unaninmous in picking Volkanovski to defend his belt as they believe he is too good at featherweight.

Harry Kettle - July 4, 2023

Yair Rodriguez has explained what makes him a difficult match-up for Alex Volkanovski as they prepare to collide this weekend. At UFC 290, Yair Rodriguez faces the fight of his life. He will battle Alex Volkanovski in an attempt to capture the UFC bantamweight championship, a belt of which he already holds the interim version. Most fans and pundits consider him to be the underdog, as you’d imagine would be the case. Still, that isn’t going to stop him from putting his best foot forward.

Cole Shelton - June 29, 2023

Joe Lopez, the head coach of Alexander Volkanovski, is confident his pupil will successfully defend his title at UFC 290. In the main event of UFC 290, Volkanovski is returning to the featherweight division to take on Yair Rodriquez. ‘The Great’ had most recently competed at 155lbs, where he lost a close decision to Islam Makhachev for the lightweight belt. Entering UFC 290, Volkanovski is the sizeable betting favorite, and although he has said Rodriguez is the most dangerous opponent he has fought, the Aussie’s coach thinks Volkanovski will utlimately ragdoll Rodriguez.

Harry Kettle - June 28, 2023

Alex Volkanovski has explained why he considers Yair Rodriguez to be a bigger threat than Ilia Topuria as the division continues to heat up. Next month at UFC 290, Alex Volkanovski will defend his UFC featherweight championship against Yair Rodriguez. It will serve as a unification bout, given that Rodriguez is currently the interim champ.

Cole Shelton - June 13, 2023

UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski has shared some high praise for his upcoming opponent Yair Rodriguez. Volkanovski is set to defend his featherweight title in the main event of UFC 290 – in his first fight since losing to Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title. Although Volkanovski is a sizeable betting favorite, he believes Rodriguez is a more dangerous fight than Makhachev and any other opponent he has faced.

Harry Kettle - April 20, 2023

Alexander Volkanovski has said that he isn’t looking past the challenge of Yair Rodriguez when they collide at UFC 290 this summer. Following on from his dramatic collision with Islam Makhachev, Alexander Volkanovski is ready to dive right back into the Octagon. On July 8, ‘The Great’ is set to defend his UFC featherweight championship when he goes up against interim champion Yair Rodriguez.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 29, 2023

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone has discussed his bond with interim UFC Featherweight Champion Yair Rodriguez. Cerrone and Rodriguez have been chummy over the years, and “Cowboy” says it’s due to their time training together. During a media scrum, Cerrone told reporters that he hasn’t forgotten training with “El Pantera” before the Mexican star even signed a UFC contract (via MMAJunkie.com).

Josh Evanoff - February 14, 2023

UFC interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez had to go through a lot to win the gold. ‘El Pantera’ returned to the octagon over the weekend in the co-main event of UFC 284. Standing opposite the Mexican star was Josh Emmett, who was riding a five-fight winning streak. During that stretch, ‘The Fighting Falmer’ defeated names such as Calvin Kattar and Dan Ige.

Harry Kettle - February 14, 2023

Alexander Volkanovski has suggested that he wants an immediate rematch with Islam Makhachev, delaying his return to featherweight. Last weekend, Alexander Volkanovski battled Islam Makhachev in a fantastic main event at UFC 284. The two competed for the UFC lightweight championship and in the end, Makhachev was the one who walked away with the belt.

Cole Shelton - February 13, 2023

The UFC headed down under to Perth, Western Australia for UFC 284 which saw the lightweight title and the interim featherweight title up for grabs. In the main event of UFC 284, Islam Makhachev was looking to defend his lightweight title for the first time against featherweight champ, Alexander Volkanovski. The co-main event saw Yair Rodriguez battle Josh Emmett for the interim featherweight title.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 12, 2023

Newly minted interim UFC Featherweight Champion Yair Rodriguez wants to have his title unification fight in Mexico City. Rodriguez took on Josh Emmett in the co-main event of UFC 284 in Perth, Australia. The bout was contested for the interim UFC Featherweight Championship. Rodriguez submitted Emmett in the second stanza to lay claim to UFC gold for the first time in his pro MMA career. Now, he’s hoping to leave no doubt by becoming the undisputed 145-pound champion.

Chris Taylor - February 11, 2023

Tonight’s UFC 284 event is co-headlined by an interim featherweight title fight featuring Yair Rodriguez taking on Josh Emmett. Rodriguez (14-3 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since defeating Brian Ortega via TKO in July of 2022. ‘El Pantera’ has gone 3-1 over his past four fights, with his lone loss in that time coming against former 145lbs title holder Max Holloway.

Harry Kettle - February 10, 2023

MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has explained why he isn’t a fan of how Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett have built up their UFC 284 title fight. This Saturday night in Australia, the co-main event will feature Yair Rodriguez vs Josh Emmett. In that contest, the two will compete for the UFC interim featherweight championship.

Cole Shelton - February 9, 2023

In the co-main event of UFC 284, Yair Rodriguez is set to take on Josh Emmett for the interim featherweight title. Heading into the fight, Rodriguez is a -196 favorite while the American is a +152 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros lean towards Rodriguez getting it done, likely by decision to become the interim featherweight champ.

Cole Shelton - February 7, 2023

Yair Rodriguez is confident he will become the interim featherweight champion on Saturday at UFC 284. Rodriguez is set to take on Emmett in the co-main event of UFC 284 in Australia in a very fan-friendly fight. Both men are primarily strikers, but Rodriguez believes he has the advantage on the feet and expects that will lead to a knockout.

Harry Kettle - November 16, 2022

Alex Volkanovski has given his thoughts on the UFC booking an interim title fight between Josh Emmett and Yair Rodriguez. For the last few years, Alex Volkanovski has been the man to beat at 145 pounds. He is a complete superstar at featherweight and if you don’t believe us, go and ask the likes of Max Holloway, Brian Ortega and Jose Aldo.

Cole Shelton - November 4, 2022

Yair Rodriguez is not happy to see Alexander Volkanovski pursuing a lightweight title fight. At UFC 280, Volkanovski served as the backup fighter for the main event that saw the vacant lightweight title up for grabs. Following Islam Makhachev’s submission win over Charles Oliveira, he called out Volkanovski and the two went face-to-face in the Octagon.