Yair Rodriguez News

Yair Rodriguez
UFC

Yair Rodriguez discloses what he said to UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski during chance hotel encounter

Harry Kettle - August 3, 2022

Yair Rodriguez has revealed what he said to Alexander Volkanovski when they ran into each other last week. Ever since his valiant display against Max Holloway and controversial win over Brian Ortega, Yair Rodriguez has been discussed as a potential next opponent for UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. While ‘The Great’ may be out with a hand injury right now, Rodriguez is hungry to welcome him back to the division when he’s fit and ready to do so.

Yair Rodriguez
Yair Rodriguez

Yair Rodriguez lost his mind after Brandon Moreno stopped Kai Kara-France at UFC 277 (Video)

Zain Bando - August 1, 2022

UFC featherweight contender, Yair Rodriguez, was having the time of his life during the UFC 277 co-main event between Brandon Moreno and Kai-Kara France this past weekend. The UFC interim flyweight title bout was closely contested between the division’s top two contenders. While the sold-out American Airlines Center waited for the highly anticipated rematch between Julianna Peña and Amanda Nunes to unfold, one fighter was glued to the action in front of him between Moreno and Kara-France. Yair Rodriguez and Brandon Moreno are long-time friends, dating back to the early parts of their career, so Rodriguez’s investment was obvious as he rooted his friend on to victory.

Yair Rodriguez
UFC

Yair Rodriguez says he's "going to wait" for Alexander Volkanovski, claims fighting Josh Emmett "doesn’t make any sense"

Cole Shelton - August 1, 2022

Yair Rodriguez is only focused on fighting Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title his next time out. Rodriguez returned to the win column last time out as he beat Brian Ortega by first-round TKO due to Ortega’s shoulder popping out. It was a disappointing end to the fight, and after the event added, it was uncertain what would be next for him as Volkanovski is out with a hand injury and has talked about going up to lightweight.

Bryce Mitchell, Dana White
UFC

Bryce Mitchell open to fighting Yair Rodriguez as long as there are title implications on the line: “If so I will do that”

Susan Cox - July 19, 2022

Bryce Mitchell is opening up about fighting Yair Rodriguez, as long as he can get a title shot after he wins. Mitchell, (15-0 MMA), has no losses in his pro career. The 27 year old last fought in March of this year where he defeated Edson Barboza (22-11 MMA) at UFC 272.

Yair Rodriguez, Brian Ortega
UFC

What's next for Yair Rodriguez and Brian Ortega after UFC Long Island?

Cole Shelton - July 18, 2022

In the main event of UFC Long Island, a crucial featherweight fight headlined the card as Yair Rodriguez took on Brian Ortega. Rodriguez entered the fight coming off a decision loss to Max Holloway back in November while Ortega lost a decision to Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight belt.

Yair Rodriguez Brian Ortega
Yair Rodriguez

Yair Rodriguez thinks he was doing well before Brian Ortega's injury: "I kind of saw him wobbling"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 17, 2022

Yair Rodriguez believes he was having success against Brian Ortega before the unfortunate end to their bout. Yair and Ortega shared the Octagon inside UBS Arena on Long Island, NY this past Saturday (July 16). This was a highly-anticipated featherweight collision that was action-packed for as long as it lasted.

Matt Schnell, UFC Long Island
UFC

UFC Long Island Bonus Report: Matt Schnell one of eight fighters to receive a bonus

Chris Taylor - July 16, 2022

The Octagon returned to New York for today’s UFC Long Island event, a twelve-bout fight card headlined by Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez. Tonight’s main event did not make it out of the opening round. After an entertaining opening couple of minutes, Yair Rodriquez went for an armbar submission. It appeared that Brian Ortega was fighting out of the hold when suddenly his shoulder popped. The injury resulted in the fight being stopped and ‘El Pantera’ was named victor by way of injury TKO.

Yair Rodriguez, Brian Ortega, UFC Long Island
UFC

Pros react after Yair Rodriguez defeats Brian Ortega at UFC Long Island

Chris Taylor - July 16, 2022

Today’s UFC Long Island event was headlined by a key men’s featherweight contest between Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez. Ortega (15-3 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since suffering a unanimous decision loss to reigning featherweight kingpin Alex Volkanovki at UFC 266. That setback was of course preceded by a decision win over The Korean Zombie in October of 2020.

UFC Long Island, Yair Rodriguez, Brian Ortega, UFC
UFC

UFC Long Island: ‘Ortega vs. Rodriguez’ Live Results and Highlights

Chris Taylor - July 16, 2022

The Octagon returns to New York for today’s UFC Long Island event, a thirteen-bout fight card headlined by Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez. Ortega (15-2 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since suffering a unanimous decision loss to reigning featherweight kingpin Alex Volkanovki at UFC 266. That setback was preceded by a decision win over The Korean Zombie in October of 2020.

Brian Ortega
UFC

Brian Ortega explains why he didn’t want to fight Yair Rodriguez

Cole Shelton - July 14, 2022

Brian Ortega didn’t want to be fighting Yair Rodriguez at UFC Long Island. The two are set to headline the card where the winner could get the next featherweight title shot. However, for Ortega, he says this is a fight he didn’t want due to the fact he and Rodriguez are friends given their Mexican heritage, and admits he didn’t want this fight to happen.

Zabit Magomedsharipov, Yair Rodriguez
Yair Rodriguez

Yair Rodriguez reacts to Zabit Magomedsharipov’s retirement from MMA: “There was a lot of things between him and I that was said”

Susan Cox - July 14, 2022

Yair Rodriguez has weighed in on Zabit Magomedsharipov’s retirement from MMA. Zabit (18-1 MMA) has not been in the Octagon since November of 2019, when he fought and defeated Calvin Kattar (23-6 MMA) by unanimous decision. The Russian’s only career loss was back in 2013 when he went down to defeat against Igor Egorov (13-8 MMA).

Brian Ortega, Yair Rodriguez
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Pro fighters make their picks for Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez

Cole Shelton - July 14, 2022

In the main event of UFC Long Island, a pivotal featherweight scrap headlines the card as top-three featherweights collide as Brian Ortega takes on Yair Rodriguez. Heading into the fight, Ortega is a -180 favorite while the Mexican is a +140 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority of pros are leaning towards Ortega getting his hand raised and likely doing it by submission.

Yair Rodriguez, UFC Mexico
UFC

Yair Rodriguez reveals he's been promised a title shot if he beats Brian Ortega at UFC Long Island

Cole Shelton - July 11, 2022

Yair Rodriguez has revealed he will receive a title shot if he gets his hand raised on Saturday at UFC Long Island. Rodriguez is set to headline the card against Brian Ortega in a pivotal fight for the featherweight division. Both men are right near the top of the ranks and given ‘T-City’s’ last fight was for the belt, the Mexican revealed on The MMA Hour that if he wins on Saturday he will receive a title shot.

Brian Ortega
UFC

Brian Ortega opens as a slight favorite over Yair Rodriguez in UFC Long Island main event

Cole Shelton - June 2, 2022

Brian Ortega has opened as a slight favorite over Yair Rodriguez for their July 16 UFC Long Island main event. Ortega and Rodriguez are set to meet on July 16 live on ABC in a crucial fight for the featherweight division. The winner could very well get a title shot and on paper, it seems like a close fight and the oddsmakers seem to agree. On Thursday, the opening odds were revealed and it saw Ortega as a slight -150 favorite with Rodriguez as a +130 underdog.

Brian Ortega
UFC

Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez officially booked for UFC Long Island main event

Cole Shelton - May 26, 2022

Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez has finally been booked. After months of talks that the UFC was targeting the featherweight fight, the promotion announced on Twitter on Thursday that Ortega vs. Rodriguez is set to headline a Fight Night card on July 16. The event will also take place at the UBS Arena on Long Island.

Brian Ortega
UFC

UFC reportedly targeting Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez

Cole Shelton - February 15, 2022

A phenomenal featherweight bout between Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez is in the works. According to MMA reporter, Ariel Helwani, the UFC is hoping to book a fight between Ortega and Rodriguez for a date TBD. It’s uncertain if the fight will be a main event of a Fight Night card or on a pay-per-view, but all signs point to Ortega facing Rodriguez next.

Max Holloway, UFC, Yair Rodriguez, UFC Vegas 42
UFC

Yair Rodriguez responds following praise by Max Holloway: "You are truly an inspiration for me"

Adam D Martin - November 17, 2021

UFC featherweight contender Yair Rodriguez responded following the praise from Max Holloway, saying “you are truly an inspiration for me.” Rodriguez met Holloway in the main event of this past Saturday’s UFC Vegas 42 card. In what was an all-out war between two of the best featherweights in the sport, the fight went the full 25 minutes and both men left every bit of themselves inside of the Octagon. It was truly an incredible fight, and both men have shown an incredible amount of respect to each other following it. First, we had Holloway take to his social media to praise Rodriguez for their battle, and now we have Rodriguez coming out and saying nice things about Holloway.

Yair Rodriguez, Max Holloway, UFC Vegas 42
UFC

Max Holloway praises Yair Rodriguez following war at UFC Vegas 42: "Looking forward to your championship reign one day"

Adam D Martin - November 16, 2021

Max Holloway praised Yair Rodriguez following war at UFC Vegas 42, saying that he’s “looking forward to your championship reign one day.” Holloway and Rodriguez went toe-to-toe for five rounds in an all-out war that headlined this past Saturday’s UFC Vegas 42 card. It was one of the best fights of the year, but at the end of the five rounds, Holloway was the winner via unanimous decision. However, it was one of those fights where the stock of both men went up. For Holloway, it could be the win that earns him another title shot at 145lbs, while for Rodriguez this performance should be enough to keep him ranked in the top-five at 145lbs. Overall, it was just an amazing fight.