UFC books Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez as July 16 main event on Long Island
A massive UFC featherweight contender fight is on tap – and it’ll be five rounds.
The promotion’s July 16 main event is set with Brian Ortega (15-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) battling Yair Rodriguez (13-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y.. Viewing information is not yet known.
The promotion Thursday announced the main event booking. ESPN Deportes was first report the matchup when the bout was in the works.
Ortega fights for the first time since a failed title bid against champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 266 in September. The bout was spirited throughout, but Ortega absorbed a heavy amount of damage. Volkanovski ultimately won via unanimous decision. The loss was Ortega’s second in three fights and his second unsuccessful UFC title challenge.
Rodriguez returns for only the second time since late 2019. While he lost a November main event to Max Holloway by unanimous decision, the bout was competitive and considered one of the best of 2021. Rodriguez is 2-1 with a no contest over his past four fights.
The card marks the promotion’s first on Long Island since UFC on FOX 25 in June 2017. The main event saw Chris Weidman defeat Kelvin Gastelum by submission at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
With the addition, the UFC lineup for July includes:
Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez
Askar Askarov vs. Alex Perez
Amanda Lemos vs. Michelle Waterson
Jack Shore vs. Ricky Simon
Li Jingliang vs. Muslim Salikhov
Bill Algeo vs. Billy Quarantillo
Dalcha Lungiambula vs. Puna Soriano
Khusein Askhabov vs. Herbert Burns
Brianna Fortino vs. Jessica Penne
Jack Shore vs. Ricky Simon
Li Jingliang vs. Muslim Salikhov
