Yair Rodriguez News

Thomas Taylor - September 12, 2018

Originally, Mexico’s Yair Rodriguez was expected to return to the cage opposite Zabit Magomedsharipov at UFC 228 last Saturday. Unfortunately, Rodriguez was forced out of this contest with an injury, and replaced by Brandon Davis, who Magomedsharipov submitted with an incredible kneebar. Shortly after he submitted Davis, Zabit Magomedsharipov called for a fight with three-time UFC featherweight title challenger Chad Mendes, who recently returned from a long hiatus with a first-round stoppage of Myles Jury. Apparently, however, the Russian star is still very much in the crosshairs of Yair Rodriguez.

Tom Taylor - August 24, 2018

Yesterday afternoon, the MMA community was hit by the unfortunate news that Yair Rodriguez had been forced out of his anticipated UFC 228 featherweight showdown with rising Russian star Zabit Magomedsharipov. From there, the UFC began scrambling to find a replacement opponent for Magomedsharipov on short notice.

Tom Taylor - August 23, 2018

Bad news, fight fans. The injury bug has taken a big bite out of UFC 228. According to a report from MMA Brasil, all-action featherweight contender Yair Rodriguez has sustained an injury which has forced him out of his main card showdown with surging Russian contender Zabit Magomedsharipov. According to this report, the UFC is seeking a replacement opponent for Zabit Magomedsharipov.

Tom Taylor - June 5, 2018

Last month, the UFC caused a tidal wave of controversy by cutting highly-regarded featherweight contender Yair Rodriguez, citing the fact that he had allegedly turned down consecutive fights with Ricardo Lamas and Zabit Magomedsharipov as the reason. In the end, of course, Rodriguez and the UFC were able to patch things up, and the Mexican featherweight is now expected to battle Magomedsharipov at UFC 228 this September. All the same, UFC President Dana White assures that, should any other fighters turn down multiple bout offers in the future, they can expect similar treatment.

Tom Taylor - June 1, 2018

Earlier this month, Dana White and the UFC made the extremely controversial choice to cut red-hot featherweight contender Yair Rodriguez. The reason, we were told, was that Rodriguez had turned down bouts with Ricardo Lamas and Zabit Magomedsharipov — apparently a major no-no. While there was briefly talk of Yair Rodriguez moving to South American MMA powerhouse Combate Americas, it now sounds as though he and the UFC have made amends. Better still, it sounds like he’ll fight Zabit Magomedsharipov at UFC 228 this September.

Tom Taylor - May 29, 2018

Earlier this month, red-hot UFC featherweight contender Yair Rodriguez was ejected from the UFC roster. The reason, we were told by UFC President Dana White, is that Rodriguez had turned down multiple fight offers. Apparently, that’s a no-no. Speaking at the UFC Liverpool post-fight press conference, White defended his decision to cut Rodriguez.

Tom Taylor - May 25, 2018

When the UFC made the shocking decision to cut Yair Rodriguez earlier this month, the expectation was that he would find another home quite quickly — potentially with South American MMA powerhouse Combate Americas. Apparently, Combate Americas was initially interested in signing Rodriguez, and quickly offered him a deal that is said to be more lucrative than his last in the UFC. According to MMAMania, however, the promotion has since rescinded its offer.

Drake Riggs - May 21, 2018

When news broke earlier this month that young featherweight prospect, Yair Rodriguez had been cut from the UFC, the MMA world was surprised, to say the least. The 10-2 Ultimate Fighter: Latin America winner, Rodriguez last fought in May of last year when he suffered his first UFC loss to former lightweight champion and perennial top featherweight, Frankie Edger.

Drake Riggs - May 8, 2018

Looking for a prospect battle? Well, one that has fans more interested than almost any other fight right now is the proposed Zabit Magomedsharipov vs Yair Rodriguez fight after Magomedsharipov called Rodriguez out after his recent win at UFC 223. It’s now been a full month since UFC 223 and according to UFC president, Dana White via Lance Pugmire, the fight is on for UFC 227 in Los Angeles, California on August 4th.

Justin Golightly - February 21, 2018

We haven’t seen Yair Rodriguez since his lost to Frankie Edgar in the second round in May of last year at UFC 211. After stacking up six-fight win streak — eight if you count his non-UFC wins before signing — suddenly it was back to the drawing board for the hyped prospect. It is a place that Edgar has put many hopeful contenders, what they do once they are sent back there makes a difference in their careers. It seems like Yair Rodriguez is making all the right moves, figuratively and literally. “I’ve been analyzing myself and have come to realizations on what I was doing right and what I was doing wrong. I went back home to Mexico, where my family opened a business less than six months ago. I’ve been building some apartment buildings there. I’m just taking some time for myself, and that’s why you haven’t seen me. I just fought Frankie Edgar, who is next to fight for the title. That means something. I was on a six-fight win streak before that. I want to be the f-cking best, and I will show it. I am confident. People around me, who have seen me train, they will tell you. I’m not a f-cking joke.”

Russell Ess - September 26, 2017

Rising UFC featherweight Yair Rodriguez is one of the most entertaining fighters that you will see compete in the Octagon. With his exciting striking capabilities, “El Pantera” has grown a large fan base and many are surely curious as to when we’ll see the Mexico native back in the Octagon. BJPenn.com’s Chris Taylor caught up with Rodriguez on Tuesday and asked Yair when fans could expect to see “El Pantera” back in action.

Chris Taylor - September 23, 2017

After 13 months of production, the highly anticipated documentary film El Pantera starring Mexican UFC fighter Yair Rodriguez will be making it’s world premiere at the New York Latino Film Festival Presented by HBO. The film’s premiere will take place on Saturday October 14, 2017 at 6pm at the Julia de Burgos Cultural Center in New York City. Tickets will be available to the public for purchase at Cinepolis Chelsea Box Office or by calling 877.987.6487. More information can be found at www.nylatinofilmfestival.com Special thank you to NYLFF founder Calixto Chinchilla for helping make the world premiere of El Pantera possible. EL PANTERA is a documentary film that follows the training camp of MMA star Yair Rodriguez aka El Pantera as he embarks on his journey to become the first ever Mexican born UFC Champion. The film will explore topics such as Rodriguez’s manifestation of the American dream, immigration and the sacrifices a professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter makes to become a champion.

Tom Taylor - May 25, 2017

Earlier this month, on the main card of UFC 211, red hot featherweight prospect Yair Rodriguez hit a road block in the form of Frankie Edgar. Despite some strong moments in the fight, Rodriguez was grounded and ultimately stopped by his experienced foe. Now several weeks removed from this loss, Rodriguez spoke with BJPenn.com’s Chris Taylor about the fight. Apparently, losing this fight was his worst fear – though he is certain he will grow from the experience.

Tom Taylor - May 14, 2017

Last night, on the main card of the stacked UFC 211, red hot featherweight prospect Yair Rodriguez faced the biggest test of his career in former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. Unfortunately for Rodriguez and his fans, this test proved to be a little too much. After giving up several takedowns, Rodriguez was pummelled by his foe’s ground and pound until the cage-side physician had no choice but to call a stop to the action between rounds. In the wake of this tough loss, Rodriguez has released a poignant statement on his official Facebook account. See it below:

Chris Taylor - May 13, 2017

UFC 211 Results: Frankie Edgar vs. Yair Rodriguez A key featherweight tilt between former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and surging contender Yair Rodriguez took place during tonight’s UFC 211 pay-per-view card in Dallas, Texas.

bjpenndotcom - May 6, 2017

Middleweight boxing champion Canelo Alvarez is undoubtably one of Mexico’s biggest professional athletes. Interestingly enough, ahead of his upcoming title defense against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr this Cinco De Mayo weekend, UFC Prospect Yair Rodriguez believes he can actually become a bigger star in Mexico than Canelo is. Ahead of that fight, streaking UFC featherweight Yair Rodriguez spoke to MMAJunkie to explain why he feels he can become a bigger star in Mexico than Canelo!

Chris Taylor - April 29, 2017

Yair Rodriguez details his post-fight conversation with BJ Penn, expects “The Prodigy” to defeat Dennis Siver Surging UFC featherweight contender Yair Rodriguez will take on former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar on the main card of next month’s stacked UFC 211 pay-per-view card in Dallas, Texas.

Chris Taylor - April 16, 2017

Yair Rodriguez is not like other fighters and vows to become a UFC champion this year Surging UFC featherweight contender Yair Rodriguez will take on former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar on the main card of next month’s stacked UFC 211 pay-per-view card in Dallas, Texas.