Rodriguez expects war with Ortega

Rodriguez, a native of Hidalgo del Parral, Chihuahua, had been waiting for this fight since the beginning of the year after their last two fights, against Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski, respectively, left them ranked two and three in the division.

“He is an opponent that I would not have liked to face, because of his Mexican ancestry, because we have had a couple of experiences together and we had talked between him and I, we did not want to face each other unless it was a situation like this.”

For Yair, the possibility of fighting again in a packed arena for the first time since 2019 is an extra motivation, because in his last fight, against Max Holloway in November 2021, he couldn’t have his family and friends that normally accompany him close by, due to the reduced capacity at UFC Apex.

“It was few people who could actually be at the event, I would have liked more people to be supporting me, the result was what it was and now we are focused on Brian Ortega,” said the Chihuahua native.

For the time being he will be doing his camp in the State of Mexico, as he did last summer, when he was preparing to face former champion Hollway.

“We will be in Otomí until July 10 and from there we are going to Chicago with my wrestling and Jiu-jitsu coach” he explained.

Although he didn’t want to see eye to eye with Ortega, he knows that when the cage closes, the clash of styles will be perfect for the fans, as he doesn’t underestimate Brian’s stand-up game and wants to show what he can do at ground level should the showdown take that direction.

“It’s a fight you can’t miss, many people don’t want to see us fight, but we are two Mexicans who always give our hearts,” he added.

For Rodriguez, who was in Mexico City for the Lux 022 fights there is no reason to rush, because, although Volkanovski defends against Holloway two weeks earlier in Las Vegas, his priority is the fight with Ortega, “I am visualizing going out with my hand up and that is the only thing that is in my head for now”.

This will be Rodriguez’s sixth stellar fight in the UFC, while Ortega will be looking for his third championship bout should he get the win.