Yair Rodriguez Set to Rematch Brian Ortega in UFC Mexico Co-Main Event

Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez will get a chance to settle the score in a few months.

The news was first announced by Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White on social media on Thursday night. The five-round co-main event will take place at the Mexico City Arena in Mexico City on Feb. 24 at UFC Fight Night 237.

Ortega (15-3, 1 NC) and Rodriguez (19-4, 1 NC) first crossed paths in UFC Long Island in July 2022, where “T-City” sustained a fight-ending shoulder injury a little after four minutes into the opening frame. As a result, Rodriguez was awarded a victory, which spurred him into an interim title opportunity. Since their meeting, “El Pantera” has competed twice, while Ortega has been out of action entirely, ensuring a full recovery for his shoulder.

Following his win over Ortega, Rodriguez went on to claim interim featherweight strap by tapping Josh Emmett with a triangle choke at UFC 284. The Mexican standout fell short of unifying the belt, succumbing to strikes from champion Alexander Volkanovski at Sherdog’s 2023 “Event of the Year”-winning UFC 290. In the UFC, Rodriguez has only lost to current or former beltholders Frankie Edgar, Max Holloway and Volkanovski.

Ortega has not had his hand raised since an October 2020 victory against Chan Sung Jung. The Californian has struggled the last several years, albeit against top-flight foes Holloway and Volkanovski in addition to Rodriguez. He is currently riding the only losing streak of his career, one that began with 15 wins and a no contest without a defeat.

UFC Mexico, the first UFC event held in the nation since 2019, will be headlined by a flyweight meeting between former champion Brandon Moreno and surging contender Amir Albazi. Additional matched booked on the lineup include a pair of flyweight scraps when Victor Altamirano faces Felipe dos Santos while Edgar Chairez takes on Daniel da Silva.