Yair Rodriguez is reportedly set to make his highly anticipated return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, with sources indicating a three-round featherweight bout against Steve Garcia at UFC 335. Dvoyechka MMA first broke the news that the two fighters are expected to clash on December 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While the UFC has not yet officially announced the pairing, the match-up signals a significant step for Rodriguez as he looks to re-establish his dominance in the division after a prolonged layoff.
The former interim champ targets a bounce-back win against a veteran looking to end his slump.
Garcia (19-6) enters the fight seeking to rebound from a disappointing second-round stoppage loss to Diego Lopes at UFC Freedom 250 in June. The defeat ended a remarkable seven-fight winning streak for the veteran, which included six stoppages and notable victories over David Onama and Calvin Kattar. Facing a former interim champion presents Garcia with a prime opportunity to prove that his recent loss was an anomaly and to secure a high-profile win that could reignite his title aspirations.
Rodriguez (20-5) has not competed since defeating former Bellator champion Patricio Freire by unanimous decision at UFC 314 in April 2025. That victory snapped a two-fight skid that included losses to Brian Ortega and Alexander Volkanovski, leaving the former interim featherweight champion eager to climb back up the rankings. A win over Garcia would serve as a crucial stepping stone for Rodriguez, demonstrating his resilience and setting the stage for potential title contention in the coming months.
Source: Yahoo Sports
