Yair Rodriguez dismisses Mosvar Evloev’s fight proposal, as he eyes a title rematch with Alexander Volkanovski.
Yair Rodriguez Confident Alexander Volkanovski Rematch Next
Yair Rodriguez speaks to MMA Junkie’s Danny Segura following his win over Patricio “Pitbull” at UFC 314 in Miami.
MIAMI – Yair Rodriguez has one thing on his mind — challenging for the UFC featherweight title.
The long-time title contender and former UFC interim champion is looking to lock horns again with Alexander Volkanovski, who won the vacant featherweight title this past Saturday in the main event of UFC 314. Standing in his way, or so we think, is Mosvar Evloev – an undefeated contender with nine straight wins in the UFC. Many believe the title race is between the two, and Evloev even suggested the two should fight in a title eliminator bout, something “El Pantera” is not down for.
“Nobody (else) – I want to fight Volkanovski,” Rodriguez told MMA Junkie. “It doesn’t matter whoever it is, I want to fight Volkanovski first. It doesn’t matter. The guy is good. Everyone is good in the division. It’s not a conversation about that. All my respect to him and everybody, not a problem with anyone. But why would I take another fight? The fight that I want is against Volkanovski, and that’s the only fight I’m willing to take.”
Although Rodriguez has a big name, is a superstar for Mexico, and is coming off a dominant win at UFC 314 over former two-division Bellator champion Patricio Freire, he was on a two-fight losing streak prior to Saturday. He lost to Volkanovski in a title unification bout in 2023, and then was submitted by Brian Ortega in 2024.
Rodriguez (20-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) is confident his name, style and win over “Pitbull,” will be enough to get him the shot at the belt over Evloev (19-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC).
“I feel pretty confident,” Rodriguez said. “… Alexander Volkanovski didn’t disagree, didn’t dislike the idea of fighting me, as he mentioned in the interview. Now It’s just going to be a matter of the UFC deciding what they want to do. It’s not up to me. I can say whatever I want, but at the end of the day, the UFC is the one deciding, and Alexander Volkanovski as champion has some power of negotiation in terms of that, but I am confident that they will give me the title shot.”
Rodriguez noted in the buildup to UFC 314 that he’s made massive changes to his lifestyle, putting aside partying and other distractions. The 32-year-old is confident these changes will lead to a different result, should he face Volkanovski again.
“I’m a way, way better version of myself,” Rodriguez explained. “I’m doing things completely different right now, and I feel confident that this time I will be able to come out with the win.”
