Yair Rodriguez Claims UFC Promised Title Shot with Win Over Brian Ortega

The stakes could be quite high for Yair Rodriguez in the UFC on ABC 3 main event this Saturday.

During an appearance on "The MMA Hour," Rodriguez revealed that promotion officials have told him that a victory over Brian Ortega will earn him a featherweight title shot against reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski.

“Yes, that has been said to me,” Rodriguez said. “Yeah, that’s what we’re looking for. First things first, I’m going to win this fight and then give the champ some time to heal and yeah, go for it. For now, let’s take it step by step, first things first, July 16, Brian Ortega, that’s for now.”

Rodriguez hasn’t competed since UFC Fight Night 197, where he dropped a five-round verdict to Max Holloway this past November. The Mexican standout’s last victory came in October 2019, when he outpointed Jeremy Stephens at UFC on ESPN 6. Still, it may be possible that a victory over Ortega, a two-time title challenger, would be enough to propel “El Pantera” into the No. 1 contender’s spot.

“We didn’t want to fight each other unless we had to,” Rodriguez said of Ortega. “Now this is an opportunity for both of us, and we have to fight each other. As I’ve said before, it’s not the opponent I wanted, but the opportunity I wanted. Here we are facing each other with this big opportunity. It’s an important fight.”

If Rodriguez’s claim proves true, Josh Emmett would be the odd man out. The Team Alpha Male product is coming off a win over Calvin Kattar at UFC Austin, his fifth straight triumph within the Las Vegas-based promotion. Emmett lobbied for a title shot following the victory, saying the division needs “new blood.”

For now, nothing is set in stone regarding the featherweight division’s next No. 1 contender. Rodriguez believes the opportunity could be his, and he has set his sights on a future date with Volkanovski, who was dominant in a trilogy victory against Holloway at UFC 276.

“He looked amazing,” Rodriguez said. “It was eye-opening for me, and I better get ready for that if I want to be the champion. If I want to be champion I’m going to have to put some work because he’s tough. He’s really tough.”