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UFC Mexico: Former Champion Returns In Pivotal Featherweight Fight
UFC Arena (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesFormer UFC interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez is reportedly set to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon on March 29, when he takes on No. 3-ranked Diego Lopes in what seems to be the main event for UFC Mexico.The fight report came from Home of Fights Jake Noecker on Friday, January 10, and was backed up by multiple sources, including MMA Hours Ariel Helwani later in the day.The card is shaping up nicely, with the following seven fights reportedly locked in for the event:Featherweight: Diego Lopes vs. Yair RodriguezMiddleweight: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe PyferMens Flyweight: Edgar Chairez vs. CJ VergaraMens Flyweight: Ronaldo Rodrguez vs. Kevin BorjasWomens Strawweight: Yazmin Jauregui vs. Julia PolastriMens Bantamweight: David Martinez vs. Saimon OliveiraMiddleweight: Ateba Gautier vs. Jose MedinaLopes had hoped to get a shot at the title in his next fight after he registered a unanimous decision victory over Brian Ortega at Noche UFC in September. Instead, it appears hell have to wait, as former champion Alexander Volkanovski is seemingly in position to get another crack at regaining his title against Ilia Topuria, perhaps in May.Rodriguez has been out of action since February 2024, the last time the UFC was in Mexico. Rodriguez lost to Ortega via third-round submission. After what will be more than a year outside of the Octagon, Rodriguez, 32, will try to snap a two-fight losing streak and solidify his spot in the UFC featherweight Top 5.MORE FOR YOUHell likely come into the fight ranked No. 5 unless the UFC removes Max Holloway from the featherweight rankings, considering he has moved up to lightweight.Whats Next For the UFC?LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 10: Amanda Ribas of Brazil poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night ... [+] weigh-in at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino on January 10, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesThe weigh-ins for UFC Vegas 101 happened on Friday, January 10.Two fighters (Jose Johnson and Ihor Potieira) missed weight but every fight remained on the card. Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas will have their rematch nearly five years in the making in the main event. After losing in their 2019 clash via unanimous decision, Dern will look to settle the score.Keep an eye on the explosive Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Cesar Almeida. That fight has the potential to produce a spectacular KO. Also, the main roster debut of Austin Bashi is of interest.Bashi is one of the top prospects from Season 8 of the Dana White Contender Series. Bashi faces a tough out in the featherweight division, Christian Rodriguez.Here is a look at the card and the weigh-in results.Mackenzie Dern (116) vs. Amanda Ribas (116)Santiago Ponzinibbio (171) vs. Carlston Harris (170)Abdul Razak Alhassan (185.5) vs. Cesar Almeida (185.5)Chris Curtis (185.5) vs. Roman Kopylov (185.5)Christian Rodriguez (145) vs. Austin Bashi (145.5)Uros Medic (171) vs. Punahele Soriano (171)Jose Johnson (128.5)* vs. Felipe Bunes (126)Marco Tulio (185.5) vs. Ihor Potieria (188)*Thiago Moises (155.5) vs. Trey Ogden (155.5)Preston Parsons (171) vs. Jacobe Smith (170.5)Ernesta Kareckaite (126) vs. Nicolle Caliari (125.5)Magomed Gadzhiyasulov (205) vs. Bruno Lopes (205.5)Fatima Kline (116) vs. Viktoriia Dudakova (116)Nurullo Aliev (155.5) vs. Joe Solecki (155)*Missed weightUFC Vegas 101 happens at the Apex on Saturday, January 11. Be on the lookout for post-event coverage.
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