'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABgAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQgQAAIBBAMBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQFERIAExQGIQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQYRAAICAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECACEDMQQiQf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8Ay/ZbjSW67SVu1QDbIqWocwqsDlGnVCiOpyP2YnkW4fYL76rztUdPfJ1bxwhtNjrkAYzjjjgbO/WyK8qVfARWOQMAdbuf/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Yair Rodriguez is officially the interim UFC featherweight champion, so it is only a matter of time until he fights Alexander Volkanovski.
Following his impressive victory over Josh Emmett at UFC 284, the Mexican earned the interim title. In the main event of the evening, current featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski went up a weight class to fight Islam Makhachev for his lightweight title. The Australian ended up losing in his hometown and will now have a decision to make.
Trending
He will now have to defend his UFC featherweight title against Yair Rodriguez or vacate the title and go up to lightweight to challenge Makhachev again. According to Fox Sports, the company is looking to set up a fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Yair Rodrigues for UFC 290 on July 8. The rumored fight will take place in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
This fight promises to deliver fireworks, as both fighters are known for their explosive speed and power. Volkanovski has been dominating the division since 2019 and has risen to the top of the P4P rankings of the UFC. Rodriguez, on the other hand, has slowly but surely made his way to the top of the decision and his victory over Josh Emmett solidified a title shot.
Dana White says Islam Makhachev rematch is possible if Alexander Volkanovski beats Yair Rodriguez
Dana White confirmed that the Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski II could take place if the Australian can beat Yair Rodriguez.
The UFC president was impressed with the Mexican's performance against Josh Emmett and stated that he deserved the title shot next. He also spoke about how the rematch could line-up in the future.
"But yeah, to me, the fight that makes sense is, we make Yair versus Volkanovski, Islam versus somebody, whenever that happens, and then you do the rematch."
With a proposed fight set to take place at UFC 290 during international fight week, Yair Rodriguez gets the perfect opportunity to introduce himself on the international stage. If he is able to impress against Alexander Volkanovski, not only will he become champion, he will also make his way into the P4P rankings by taking out the #1 ranked fighter.
He may also get to fight Islam Makhachev for his lightweight title instead of Volkanovski.
Take a look at the interview (Quotes from 13:30 onwards):
