Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens were expected to deliver a hard-hitting featherweight main event in the UFC Mexico City headliner last weekend on ESPN+. Instead, the fight was waved off — via “No Contest” — after “Pantera” dug his finger into the eye of “Lil’ Heathen.”
Whether or not Stephens was fit to continue is the topic of much debate, but based on his history of violence against some of the most dangerous combatants in his division, it’s hard to believe the longtime veteran would be looking for a way out after 15 seconds of fighting.
Rodriguez, however, is not convinced and while he understands that injuries happen, insists Stephens should have lied to the officials and soldiered on anyway, much like the Mexican striker did when he lost part of his vision against Frankie Edgar at UFC 211 in early 2017.
“Focking Poosy” is how “Pantera” sums it up.
The video of their post-fight hotel altercation (more details on that here) is underwhelming in terms of physical fireworks, but it should go a long way in helping to get this featherweight rematch booked sooner, rather than later.
For more news and notes from UFC Mexico City click here.