Brian Ortega vs Yair Rodriguez official for July 16
Featherweight contenders Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez are set to meet in the Octagon on July 16th, in Long Island, New York. This news was first reported by ESPN's Carlos Legaspi.
The two have been on each other's radars for years now, and will finally meet in what can only be a called a fight fan's dream matchup. An exciting bout between opposing styles, each bringing the excitement every single time.
Ortega is coming off of a fight of the year contender in 2021 vs Featherweight champion Alex Volkanivsi. A fight that was largely a monumental showing for the champion. This doesn't mean it was a completely one-sided affair, however. Ortega nearly claimed gold with a guillotine in the 3rd round, almost putting the champion to sleep. The round that ensued was all Volk before T-City put together a brilliant round 5 that can only be explained as pure heart.
Yair Rodriguez was likewise involved in a fight of the year contender, meeting former champion Max Holloway in a war that saw both men leave it all inside the cage. A much closer affair than Volkanovski vs Ortega, Yair had a stock-rising showing against Blessed, earningnhim the respect of the entire MMA community in his first fight following a two year layoff.
Now the number 2 and 3 Featherweights in the workd face off at UFC Long Island, the victor sure to loom heavy in the upcoming title picture.
