Yair Rodriguez is confident that a win over Brian Ortega in the co-main event of UFC Mexico City will secure him another shot at the UFC featherweight title, currently held by Ilia Topuria, whom Rodriguez has expressed a strong dislike for.
Yair Rodriguez is convinced. He thinks beating Brian Ortega at UFC Mexico City’s co-main event will earn him another shot at the UFC featherweight title. But there’s more to it. He also gets a chance to face someone he can’t stand – the new champ, Ilia Topuria.
Topuria snatched the title just last Saturday. He knocked out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298. Rodriguez’s feelings about this? “I’d love to f*** him up,” he said during UFC Mexico City’s media day. He clarified, “No, I don’t just want to fight him. I want to f*** him up. There’s a f****** big difference, just to be clear.”
He’s serious about it. “Anywhere I f****** see him, I’ll f*** him up.”
So, Rodriguez and Ortega are set for a rematch. Their first encounter was a disaster. Ortega suffered a shoulder injury in the first round. This time, they’re preparing for another five-round battle. Rodriguez believes the winner gets Topuria. And he’s okay with the fight happening in Spain. “El Pantera” is cool with that.
Rodriguez doesn’t mince words about Topuria. “F*** this b****, I don’t f****** like him,” he said. He’s certain about the title shot. “Yeah, [I think a title shot is next] for either of us. Whoever wins, the title is next.”
He’s even willing to go to Spain for the fight. “F*** yeah, [I’ll go to Spain,] I’ll fight him in his backyard if he wants.”
Rodriguez has some thoughts about Topuria’s championship-winning performance. He’s somewhat impressed. The 27-year-old Georgian native called his shot and backed up his words. But that’s where Rodriguez’s compliments for the undefeated featherweight end.
Rodriguez’s reaction? “My reaction was, he did it,” Rodriguez said. “He said he was going to do it, and he did it. And I don’t have much to say about that.”