Former interim champion Yair Rodriguez prepares for a late-year return against featherweight contender Steve Garcia at UFC 335.
Former interim UFC featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez is reportedly set to make his long-awaited return inside the Octagon at the final major Ultimate Fighting Championship event of the year, according to information published by bjpenn.
The matchup was unexpectedly revealed by featherweight contender Steve Garcia, who announced via social media that he will face the Mexican star in an upcoming high-stakes bout scheduled for the year-end pay-per-view fight card.
While mixed martial arts fans await official confirmation from the UFC organization, the anticipated clash between two elite strikers adds significant firepower to an already stacked event headlined by a championship showdown.
Steve Garcia Announces Fight on Instagram
Contender Steve Garcia took to social media to break the news regarding his upcoming assignment, sharing details about the pairing with his followers on Instagram in a recent post.
Garcia expressed his excitement for the booking by telling fans that they are locking in for another fight before the end of the year, describing the upcoming pairing as absolute must-see television.
The surging contender will attempt to bounce back from a tough knockout loss to Diego Lopes, which took place earlier this year at an exciting event dubbed UFC Freedom 250.
Yair Rodriguez Seeks Redemption in Division
Prior to the upcoming announcement, Yair Rodriguez had been absent from active competition following a decisive victory over Patricio Pitbull Freire at UFC 314 earlier this year.
The dynamic striker was previously booked to face Jean Silva at Noche UFC, but was forced to withdraw from that high-profile contest due to an untimely injury during training camp preparations.
With a potential victory over Garcia, Rodriguez aims to reinsert himself firmly into the conversation for another shot at the undisputed featherweight title held by Alexander Volkanovski.
UFC 335 Fight Card Details
The year-end pay-per-view spectacle is slated to be anchored by a marquee BMF championship battle featuring veteran fan favorite Charles Oliveira against rising star Diego Lopes.
Before suffering a recent setback against Lopes, Steve Garcia strung together an impressive streak of seven consecutive victories inside the Octagon, including dominant wins over Calvin Kattar and David Onama.
If finalized by promotion executives, the collision between Rodriguez and Garcia will serve as a thrilling addition to the talent-rich fight lineup for the major year-end sports entertainment card.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Yair Rodriguez returning to the UFC?
Yair Rodriguez is expected to return at UFC 335, the final major Ultimate Fighting Championship event of the year, according to an announcement by potential opponent Steve Garcia.
Who is Yair Rodriguez fighting at UFC 335?
Featherweight contender Steve Garcia announced on social media that he is scheduled to face former interim champion Yair Rodriguez at UFC 335.
What was the result of Yair Rodriguez's last fight?
Yair Rodriguez won his last bout in a decisive victory over Patricio Pitbull Freire at UFC 314, prior to withdrawing from a scheduled fight against Jean Silva due to injury.
