Yair Rodríguez Explained

Yair Rodríguez
Other Names:El Pantera
Birth Name:Yair Raziel Rodríguez Portillo[1] [2]
Birth Date:6 October 1992[3]
Birth Place:Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico
Weight Lb:145
Weight Class:Featherweight
Reach:71inches[4]
Style:Kickboxing
Fighting Out Of:Huntington Beach, California, U.S.
Team:Huntington Beach Ultimate Training Center
Jackson Wink MMA Academy (former)
Kings MMA
Valle Flow Striking (former)
Rank:Black belt in Taekwondo[5]
Years Active:2011–present
Mma Kowin:8
Mma Subwin:5
Mma Decwin:6
Mma Koloss:3
Mma Subloss:1
Mma Decloss:1
Mma Nc:1
Sherdog:106305

Yair Raziel Rodríguez Portillo[1] [2] (born October 6, 1992) is a Mexican professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Featherweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former Interim UFC Featherweight Champion. Rodríguez has been with the UFC since 2014 after winning featherweight tournament. As of February 27, 2024, he is #4 in the UFC featherweight rankings.[6]

Early life

Yair Raziel Rodríguez Portillo was born and raised in Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico to Rigoberto Rodríguez Olivas and Norma Alicia Portillo. Rodríguez started Taekwondo at age five.[7]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Rodríguez made his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) debut on October 10, 2011, at Mexican Fighter Promotions 8, when he fought Jonatan Guzmán and won via unanimous decision.[8] On March 10, 2012, he fought Carlos Ricardo at The Supreme Cage Fighting 1. He won via third round submission (triangle choke). Rodríguez then fought Luis Roberto Herrera on December 12, 2012, at Mexican Fighter Promotions 13. He lost via first round knockout. Rodríguez next faced Édgar Juárez on February 16, 2013 at Mexican Fighter Promotions 14. He won the fight via first-round knockout. His final fight before he entered the UFC was against Angelo Durante on April 4, 2014, at NP: High Altitude Face Off 6. Rodríguez won the fight via arm-bar in round one.[9]

The Ultimate Fighter

In May 2014, it was revealed that Rodríguez would be a cast member of, competing for "Team Velasquez".[10]

In his first fight on the show, Rodríguez defeated Humberto Brown in the quarterfinals via submission (triangle choke).[11] In the semifinals, Rodríguez defeated Rudolfo Rubio via submission (strikes) to reach the finals.[12]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Rodríguez made his official UFC debut on November 15, 2014, at UFC 180, facing Leonardo Morales in featherweight finals.[13] Rodríguez defeated Morales via unanimous decision to become the tournament winner.[14]

For his second fight with the promotion, Rodríguez faced Charles Rosa on June 13, 2015, at UFC 188.[15] He won the fight via split decision.[16] Rodríguez received his first Fight of the Night bonus award.[17]

Rodríguez faced Dan Hooker on October 3, 2015, at UFC 192.[18] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[19]

Rodríguez faced Andre Fili on April 23, 2016, at UFC 197.[20] He won the fight via knockout in the second round and was awarded his first Performance of the Night bonus.[21] [22]

Rodríguez faced Alex Caceres on August 6, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 92.[23] He won the fight by split decision.[24] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.[25]

Rodríguez faced B.J. Penn on January 15, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 103.[26] Rodríguez won the fight via TKO in the second round. Afterwards, he was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.[27] [28]

Rodríguez faced Frankie Edgar on May 13, 2017, at UFC 211.[29] He lost the fight via TKO (doctor stoppage) after the second round due to swelling on his left eye.[30]

On May 10, 2018, it was reported that Rodríguez was released from the UFC after allegedly declining two fights.[31] [32] Three weeks later, Rodríguez announced that he and UFC officials worked out their differences and that he was back on the roster.[33]

Rodríguez was expected to face Zabit Magomedsharipov on September 8, 2018, at UFC 228.[34] However, Rodríguez pulled out of the fight on August 23 citing injury.[35]

In late October, Rodríguez agreed to replace Frankie Edgar and fight Chan Sung Jung on November 10, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 139, after Edgar withdrew due to injury.[36] Rodríguez won the fight by knockout via reverse elbow at 4:59 in the fifth round; the latest knockout in UFC history. [37] [38] However this record would later be tied by Max Holloway against Justin Gaethje at UFC 300. He was awarded the Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards.[39] The knockout went on to win accolades as the knockout of the year from many media sources.

Rodríguez faced Jeremy Stephens on September 21, 2019, in the main event at UFC Fight Night 159.[40] The bout ended in a no contest just 15 seconds into the first round after Rodríguez accidentally swatted Stephens in the left eye, rendering him unable to continue.[41]

Rodríguez faced Jeremy Stephens in a rematch on October 18, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 6.[42] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[43] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[44]

Rodríguez was scheduled to face Zabit Magomedsharipov on August 29, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 175.[45] However, Rodríguez pulled out with an ankle injury.[46]

On December 3, 2020, UFC anti-doping administrator USADA announced that Rodríguez had been suspended for 6 months, retroactive to September 8, for failing to notify USADA of his whereabouts and being unavailable for drug testing. He became eligible to resume fighting on March 8, 2021.[47]

Rodríguez was scheduled to face Max Holloway on July 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 26.[48] Rodríguez's return was delayed once more, as it was reported on June 17, 2021, that Holloway was forced to withdraw from the bout due to injury.[49] [50] The bout was rescheduled on November 13, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 197.[51] Rodríguez lost the fight via unanimous decision.[52] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[53]

Rodríguez faced Brian Ortega on July 16, 2022, at UFC on ABC 3.[54] He won the fight via technical knockout in round one after Ortega suffered a dislocated shoulder, which rendered him unable to continue.[55]

Rodríguez faced Josh Emmett for the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship on February 12, 2023, at UFC 284.[56] He won the fight and title via triangle choke submission in the second round.[57] [58] The win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[59]

Rodríguez faced Alexander Volkanovski in a title unification bout for the UFC Featherweight Championship on July 8, 2023 at UFC 290.[60] He lost the fight via TKO in round three.[61]

Rodríguez faced Brian Ortega in a rematch on February 24, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 237.[62] He lost in the third-round via arm-triangle choke submission.[63]

Personal life

Rodríguez has one brother and one sister. He is also a cousin of Olympic boxer Misael Rodríguez.[64]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Loss|align=center|19–5 (1)|Brian Ortega|Submission (arm-triangle choke)|||align=center|3|align=center|0:58|Mexico City, Mexico||-|Loss|align=center|19–4 (1)|Alexander Volkanovski|TKO (punches)|UFC 290||align=center|3|align=center|4:19|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|19–3 (1)|Josh Emmett|Submission (triangle choke)|UFC 284||align=center|2|align=center|4:19|Perth, Australia ||-|Win|align=center|18–3 (1)|Brian Ortega|TKO (shoulder injury)|||align=center|1|align=center|4:11|Elmont, New York, United States||-|Loss|align=center|17–3 (1)|Max Holloway|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|5|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|17–2 (1)|Jeremy Stephens|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Boston, Massachusetts, United States||-|NC|align=center||Jeremy Stephens|NC (accidental eye poke)|||align=center|1|align=center|0:15|Mexico City, Mexico||-|Win|align=center|16–2|Jung Chan-sung|KO (elbow)|||align=center|5|align=center|4:59|Denver, Colorado, United States||-|Loss|align=center|15–2|Frankie Edgar|TKO (doctor stoppage)|UFC 211||align=center|2|align=center|5:00|Dallas, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|15–1|B.J. Penn|TKO (punches)|||align=center|2|align=center|0:24|Phoenix, Arizona, United States||-|Win|align=center|14–1|Alex Caceres|Decision (split)|||align=center|5|align=center|5:00|Salt Lake City, Utah, United States||-|Win|align=center|13–1|Andre Fili|KO (head kick)|UFC 197||align=center|2|align=center|2:15|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|12–1|Dan Hooker|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 192||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Houston, Texas, United States||-|Win|align=center|11–1|Charles Rosa|Decision (split)|UFC 188||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Mexico City, Mexico||-|Win|align=center|10–1|Leonardo Morales|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 180||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Mexico City, Mexico||-|Win|align=center|5–1|Angelo Duarte|Submission (armbar)|NP: High Altitude Face Off 6||align=center|1|align=center|2:12,|Alamosa, Colorado, United States||-|Win|align=center|4–1|Édgar Juárez|KO (flying knee)|Mexican Fighter Promotions 14||align=center|1|align=center|0:13|Chihuahua, Mexico||-|Loss|align=center|3–1|Roberto Herrera|KO (punches)|Mexican Fighter Promotions 13||align=center| 1|align=center| 1:21|Chihuahua, Mexico||-|Win|align=center|3–0|Carlos Ricardo|Submission (triangle choke)|The Supreme Cage 1||align=center|3|align=center|0:50|Monterrey, Mexico||-|Win|align=center|2–0|Edgar Balderrama|Submission (rear-naked choke)|Mexican Fighter Promotions 9||align=center|1|align=center|2:13|Chihuahua, Mexico||-|Win|align=center|1–0|Jonatan Guzmán|Decision (unanimous)|Mexican Fighter Promotions 8||align=center|3|align=center|3:00|Mexico City, Mexico||-

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

|-|Win|align=center|2–0|Rodolfo Rubio Perez|TKO (punches)|rowspan=2|| (airdate)|align=center|1|align=center|3:55|rowspan=2|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|1–0|Humberto Brown Morrison|Submission (triangle choke)| (airdate)|align=center|2|align=center|2:18||-[74]

Pay-per-view bouts

!No!Event!Fight!Date!Venue!City!PPV buys
1.UFC 290Volkanovski vs. RodríguezJuly 8, 2023T-Mobile ArenaParadise, Nevada, United StatesNot Disclosed[75]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2014The Ultimate FighterHimselfTelevision series
2016UFC 200 Greatest Fighters of All TimeHimselfTelevision mini-series
2018El PanteraHimselfDocumentary film

See also

References

[76]

External links

|-

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Va chihuahuense a la UFC. El Diario de Chihuahua. March 31, 2015.
  2. Web site: Felicita Miguel Jurado a Yair Raziel "El Pantera" Rodríguez. El Sol de Parral. March 31, 2015.
  3. Web site: Stats | UFC.
  4. Web site: Yair Rodriguez Stats. UFCstats.com. May 7, 2023.
  5. Web site: Yair Rodriguez UFC. UFC.com. 14 September 2018 . November 14, 2021.
  6. Web site: UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions UFC.com . 2024-02-27 . www.ufc.com.
  7. Web site: Hernandez. Jose. UFC 211: Yair Rodriguez - 2017 Is My Year. Youtube. 11 May 2017 . UFC - Ultimate Fighting Championship. May 11, 2017.
  8. Web site: Yair Rodriguez and the Start of Something Big. 2014-11-12. ufconfoxtel.com. Thomas Gerbasi.
  9. Web site: Hernandez. Jose. Yair Rodriguez. Sherdog.com. sherdog. 18 May 2017.
  10. Web site: The Ultimate Fighter (TUF): 'Latin America' cast revealed for 'Velasquez vs. Werdum'. mmamania.com. Jesse Holland. 2014-05-14. 2014-05-14.
  11. Web site: Episode Three recap: The Ultimate Fighter Latin America. ufc.com. Danny Downes . 2014-09-14. 2014-09-14.
  12. Web site: Episode Nine recap: The Ultimate Fighter Latin America. ufc.com. Danny Downes . 2014-10-21. 2014-10-21.
  13. Web site: UFC 180 broadcast lineup set with 'TUF: Latin America' finals as featured prelims. mmajunkie.com. Staff. 2014-11-12. 2014-11-12.
  14. Web site: UFC 180 results: Yair Rodriguez outslugs Leonardo Morales for 'TUF: Latin America' 145 title. mmajunkie.com. Ben Fowlkes. 2014-11-15. 2014-11-15.
  15. Web site: Yair Rodriguez vs. Charles Rosa official for UFC 188. themmareport.com. 2015-02-24. 2015-02-24. Jason Floyd.
  16. Web site: UFC 188 results: Yair Rodriguez splits with Charles Rosa, then spits up in interview. mmajunkie.com. Steven Marrocco. 2015-06-13. 2015-06-13.
  17. News: UFC 188 bonuses: Fabricio Werdum cashes $50,000 extra check. Who joined him?. mmajunkie.com. Matt Erickson. 2015-06-14. 2015-06-14.
  18. News: Yair Rodriguez vs. Dan Hooker added to UFC 192 slate. mmafighting.com. Dave Doyle. 2015-08-03. 2015-08-03.
  19. Web site: UFC 192 results: Yair Rodriguez sweeps Daniel Hooker. mmajunkie.com. Brent Brookhouse. 2015-10-03. 2015-10-03.
  20. Web site: Andre Fili vs. Yair Rodriguez featherweight clash set for UFC 197. sherdog.com. Staff. 2016-02-16. 2015-02-16.
  21. Web site: UFC 197 results: Yair Rodriguez scores spectacular knockout of Andre Fili. mmafighting.com. Dave Doyle. 2016-04-23. 2016-04-23.
  22. Web site: UFC 197 bonuses: Johnson, Rodriguez, Roberts, Steele pocket $50K awards. sherdog.com. Tristen Critchfield. 2016-04-23. 2016-04-23.
  23. Web site: Yair Rodriguez vs. Alex Caceres in the works for UFC event in Utah. mmafighting.com. Danny Segura. 2016-06-09. 2016-06-09.
  24. Web site: UFC Fight Night 92 results: Yair Rodriguez tops Alex Caceres by split decision in Hollywood-style brawl. mmajunkie.com. Brent Brookhouse. 2016-08-07. 2016-08-07.
  25. Web site: UFC Fight Night 92 bonuses: Yair Rodriguez, 'Bruce Leeroy' pocket $50K. sherdog.com. Mike Sloan. 2016-08-07. 2016-08-07.
  26. Web site: Yair Rodriguez vs. B.J. Penn announced as UFC Phoenix main event. mmafighting.com. Dave Doyle. 2016-11-21. 2016-11-21.
  27. Web site: UFC Fight Night 103 results: Yair Rodriguez devastates Hall of Famer B.J. Penn for TKO win. mmajunkie.com. Steven Marrocco. 2017-01-16. 2017-01-16.
  28. Web site: UFC Fight Night 103 bonuses: Rodriguez, Oleynik, Mendes, Saenz pocket $50K. sherdog.com. Tristen Critchfield. 2017-01-15. 2017-01-15.
  29. Web site: The hits keep on coming: Frankie Edgar vs. Yair Rodriguez set for UFC 211 in Dallas. 2017-03-09. mmajunkie.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20141112174449/http://mmajunkie.com/fighters/yair-rodriguez. 2014-11-12. dead. Staff. 2017-03-09.
  30. Web site: UFC 211 results: Former champ Frankie Edgar dismantles rising star Yair Rodriguez with ease. mmajunkie.com. Ben Fowlkes. 2017-05-13. 2017-05-13.
  31. News: Report: Yair Rodriguez cut by UFC for turning down Lamas and Magomedsharipov bouts. Bloody Elbow. 2018-05-11.
  32. News: Top 15 Featherweight Yair Rodriguez Released from the UFC • MMA News. 2018-05-11. MMA News. 2018-05-11. en-US.
  33. News: Yair Rodriguez announces UFC return, Zabit Magomedsharipov fight at UFC 228. MMA Fighting. 2018-06-03.
  34. Web site: Report: Yair Rodriguez reconciles with UFC, agrees to fight Zabit Magomedsharipov at UFC 228. June 2018.
  35. News: Injury forces Yair Rodriguez out of UFC 228 fight vs. Zabit Magomedsharipov. Bloody Elbow. 2018-08-24.
  36. News: Frankie Edgar out, Yair Rodriguez in for UFC Fight Night 139 headliner vs. 'Korean Zombie'. 2018-10-27. MMAjunkie. 2018-10-27. en-US.
  37. News: Instant Classic: Yair Rodriguez Shocks Chan Sung Jung With Last-Second Elbow. Drahota. Mike. 2018-11-11. LowKickMMA.com. 2018-11-11. en-US.
  38. Web site: UFC 163 Results: Aldo vs. Korean Zombie. 3 August 2013.
  39. News: UFC Fight Night 139 bonuses: Yair Rodriguez doubles up for $100,000 in Denver. 2018-11-11. MMAjunkie. 2018-11-11. en-US.
  40. Web site: Yair Rodriguez to fight in native Mexico. Helwani. Ariel. 2019-07-26. espn.com. 2019-07-27.
  41. Web site: Ugly scene erupts at UFC on ESPN+ 17 after Rodriguez-Stephens fight ends in 15-second no contest. 2019-09-22. MMA Junkie. en. 2019-09-22.
  42. Web site: Yair Rodriguez vs. Jeremy Stephens rematch set for UFC on ESPN 6 co-headliner. 2019-09-25. MMA Junkie. en. 2019-09-26.
  43. Web site: UFC Boston Results: Yair Rodriguez Comes Out On Top in Wild Co-Main Event Against Jeremy Stephens. Doherty. Dan. 2019-10-18. Cageside Press. en-US. 2019-10-19.
  44. Web site: UFC Boston Bonuses, Live Gate & Attendance Revealed. Fernando Quiles Jr.. 2019-10-19. mmanews.com. 2019-10-19.
  45. Web site: Report: Yair Rodriguez Faces Zabit Magomedsharipov At August 29 UFC Event Fightful MMA. 2020-06-24. www.fightful.com. en.
  46. Web site: 2020-08-05. Dana White confirms Yair Rodriguez injured, out of fight vs. Zabit Magomedsharipov. 2020-08-05. MMA Junkie. en.
  47. Web site: Yair Rodriguez suspended six months by USADA for failing to file his location for random testing. MMAFighting.con. 2020-12-03. Damon Martin. 2020-12-03.
  48. Web site: 2021-05-27. Max Holloway vs. Yair Rodriguez headlines UFC's July 17 event. 2021-05-27. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  49. Web site: Max Holloway out at UFC on ESPN 26, Yair Rodriguez fight postponed. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. 2021-06-17. MMA Junkie Staff. 2021-06-17.
  50. Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2021-06-17. UFC: Max Holloway Injured, Rodriguez Fight Postponed. 2021-06-18. Cageside Press. en-US.
  51. Web site: DNA. MMA. 2021-09-24. Knaller tussen Max Holloway en Yair Rodriguez nu op 13 november. 2021-09-24. MMA DNA. en-US.
  52. Web site: Doherty. Dan. 2021-11-13. UFC Vegas 42: Max Holloway Battles Yair Rodriguez to a Decision. 2021-11-13. Cageside Press. en-US.
  53. Web site: 2021-11-14. UFC Fight Night 197 bonuses: Max Holloway, Yair Rodriguez an all-time obvious 'Fight of Night' winner. 2021-11-14. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  54. Web site: UFC books Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez as July 16 main event on Long Island. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2022-05-26. 2022-05-26.
  55. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2022-07-16 . UFC Long Island: Main Event Fizzles Due to Brian Ortega Injury, Yair Rodriguez Claims TKO Win . 2022-07-17 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  56. Web site: Yair Rodriguez vs. Josh Emmett interim featherweight title fight added to UFC 284. mmamania.com. Dan Hiergesell. 2022-11-13. 2022-11-13.
  57. Web site: Mercado . Eddie . 2023-02-12 . UFC 284 highlight videos: Yair Rodriguez triangles Josh Emmett, wins interim title . 2023-02-14 . Bloody Elbow . en.
  58. Web site: UFC 284: Yair Rodríguez Finishes Josh Emmett with Triangle, Captures Interim Gold. Cageside Press. Val Dewar. 2023-02-12. 2023-02-12.
  59. Web site: UFC 284 post-fight bonuses: Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski awarded 'Fight of the Night'. mmafighting.com. Newswire. 2023-02-12. 2023-02-12.
  60. Web site: Holland . Jesse . 2023-04-06 . Alexander Volkanovski vs Yair Rodriguez title fight on tap for UFC 290 in July . 2023-04-07 . MMAmania.com . en.
  61. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2023-07-09 . UFC 290: Alexander Volkanovski Stops Yair Rodriguez in Third, Unifies Featherweight Title . 2023-07-09 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  62. Web site: 2023-12-22 . Yair Rodriguez vs. Brian Ortega 2 co-headlines UFC Fight Night in Mexico City with five rounds . 2023-12-24 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  63. Web site: McCorry. Patrick. 2024-02-24 . Brian Ortega Overcomes Rolled Ankle, Subs Yair Rodríguez in UFC Mexico City Co-Main. 2024-02-24. www.cagesidepress.com . en-US.
  64. Web site: Misael "Chino" Rodríguez y "Pantera": Familia exitosa. 31 July 2016 . Ultimate Fighting Championship. August 13, 2016.
  65. Web site: UFC Featherweight - Stats.
  66. Web site: UFC Denver Highlight Video: The Knockout of the Year.
  67. Web site: Sherdog.com's 2018 Knockout of the Year. Sherdog. 2019-01-02.
  68. Web site: MMA de México: Mexican Fighters Promotions. The Cage, MMA en México. April 24, 2016.
  69. Web site: MMA Fighting's 2018 KO of the Year: Yair Rodriguez stuns Korean Zombie with last-second elbow. Dave Meltzer. January 2, 2019. mmafighting.com.
  70. Web site: MMAjunkie's 2018 'Knockout of the Year': A stunning elbow from an impossible angle. Mike Bohn. January 4, 2019. mmajunkie.com.
  71. Web site: MMA Junkie's 'Fight of the Month' for October: A featherweight grudge is settled. November 5, 2019. mmajunkie.com.
  72. Web site: The stunning, come-from-behind finish earned Rodriguez 2018 Combat Press Knockout of the Year.. Rob Tatum. January 8, 2019. combatpress.com.
  73. Web site: MMA DNA UFC Awards 2018 : De Uitslagen!!!. DNA. MMA. 18 January 2019. en-US. 2019-01-28.
  74. Web site: Yair. Sherdog.com. Sherdog. 2019-09-25.
  75. Web site: UFC 290: Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez MMA Event . Tapology . en.
  76. Web site: Hernandez. Jose. UFC 211: Yair Rodriguez - 2017 Is My Year. Youtube. 11 May 2017 . UFC - Ultimate Fighting Championship. May 11, 2017.

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