Max Holloway vs Yair Rodriguez being targeted for main event on Nov. 13
An exciting featherweight matchup between former featherweight champion Max Holloway and Yair Rodriguez is closed to being re-booked for later this year. UFC President Dana White spoke to the media on Tuesday and revealed that while the deal is not finalized yet, a fight between Holloway and Rodriguez is being targeted to serve as the main event on November 13.
This will be the second attempt at booking this fight between Holloway and Rodriguez, as they had been scheduled to fight on July 17, but the fight was canceled after Holloway had to withdraw due to injury. A fan-favorite fight between two of the most exciting strikers in the division, this matchup will have some high stakes as both fighters look to get back into title contention.
After dropping two straight title fights to current reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway bounced back with an incredibly impressive unanimous decision victory over Calvin Kattar in January. Although Holloway fought to close decision fights with the current champion, he’s decided to remain active and take out top contenders as he looks to once again, earn a shot at the featherweight title he once held.
Yair Rodriguez has not competed since October of 2019 when he defeated Jeremy Stephens by unanimous decision in a rematch from their first meeting which ended in a no-contest. While he already owns wins over Stephens, “The Korean Zombie”, BJ Penn, Andre Fili, and Dan Hooker (at featherweight), Rodriguez would have the biggest win of his career if he could knock off Holloway in this fight.
While the fight may not be a title eliminator, an impressive showing from either fighter could put them squarely in the mix for championship contention. The featherweight title will be on the line in September as the champion Volkanovski will meet top-contender Brian Ortega at UFC 266.
As the former champion Max Holloway looks to get back into title contention, he’ll have a tough and intriguing opponent awaiting him in Yair Rodriguez, a fight that is certainly, a striking fan’s dellight.
