Yair Rodriguez

Fighter Facts

• Team Velasquez on TUF LATAM
   
• Pro since 2011
   
• Five wins by KO, three by submission (triangle, armbar, RNC)
   
• Four first round finishes
   
• Has won 12 of his last 15

UFC History
UFC on ABC (7/16/22) Rodriguez defeated Brian Ortega via TKO (injury) at 4:11 of the first round 
UFC Fight Night (11/13/21) Rodriguez lost a five round unanimous decision to Max Holloway 
UFC on ESPN (10/18/19) Rodriguez won a three round unanimous decision over Jeremy Stephens
UFC Fight Night (9/21/19) Rodriguez’ bout with Jeremy Stephens was ruled a no contest due to an accidental eye poke by Rodriguez that rendered Stephens unable to continue. The time was :15 of round one
UFC Fight Night (11/10/18) Rodriguez knocked out Chan Sung Jung at 4:59 of the fifth round
UFC 211 (5/13/17) Rodriguez was stopped by Frankie Edgar (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (1/15/17) Rodriguez stopped BJ Penn via strikes at :24 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (8/6/16) Rodriguez won a five round split decision over Alex Caceres
UFC 197 (4/23/16) Rodriguez knocked out Andre Fili at 2:15 of the second round
UFC 192 (10/3/15) Rodriguez won a three round unanimous decision over Dan Hooker
UFC 188 (6/13/15) Rodriguez won a three round split decision over Charles Rosa
UFC 180 (11/15/14) Rodriguez won a three round unanimous decision over Leonardo Morales to win the TUF LATAM season 1 featherweight title

The Ultimate Fighter LATAM
On episode nine (semifinals), Rodriguez stopped Rodolfo Rubio via strikes at 3:55 of the first round
On episode four (quarterfinals), Rodriguez submitted Humberto Brown via triangle choke at 2:18 of the second round 

Q&A

TRAINING: I wake up at 6 am , I prepare my meals and my clothes for training and I run to the gym, just three miles. I get there at 8 am and I warm up a little more, I hit pads with my head coach Mike Valle every day from 8 to 10 - 5 min. rounds - and after that we talk about strategy and watch videos. By the time I get home, it's 11am and I eat my next meal, take a shower, and my next training session is at 12 pm. I switch every day - some days strength and conditioning, some days Jiu-Jitsu with my coach Luiz Claudio and Tiago Viera. I spend two hours there and after that I go to physical therapy at 2:15 to take care of my body and get a massage for my muscles and get ready for the next training session at 7pm. I finish at 9pm or sometimes at 10 and that's it for the day. After that I go home and rest .
When and why did you start training for fighting? I began fighting when I was 17 years old. All my life I did other sports and then I found my passion for fighting. It was the one sport that fulfilled me.
What ranks and titles have you held? TUF LATAM season 1 featherweight winner, National MMA belt in a local promotion - FMP (Mexican Fighter Promotions)
Do you have any heroes? My parents
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It gives me the opportunity to help my family and the opportunity to be a champion.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? No, just high school.
What was your job before you started fighting? I was working in a natural holistic store.
Ranks in any martial arts styles: Taekwondo black belt
Favorite grappling technique: Triangle choke
Favorite Striking technique: Kicks