From nearly exiled to highlight-reel darling, Yair Rodriguez’s relationship with the Ultimate Fighting Championship has been a roller coaster in recent months.
The Mexican featherweight was released by the UFC over the summer for what the promotion claimed was his refusal to accept a fight. The Las Vegas-based organization then rescinded his release in order to book a matchup with Zabit Magomedsharipov at UFC 228. Unfortunately, that bout fell through when Rodriguez suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw from the card.
“Pantera” wasn’t even supposed to be in Denver this past Saturday, but when Frankie Edgar pulled out of the UFC Fight Night 139 headliner against Chan Sung Jung due to a bicep injury, Rodriguez jumped at the opportunity.