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Yair Rodríguez shows off Mexican-Themed UFC title belt, Dana White confirms plan for custom championships

Yair Rodriguez custom belt Mexican themed Dana White confirms custom belt UFC 290 Ahead of his incoming UFC 290 title headliner this weekend, interim featherweight champion, Yair Rodríguez has shown off a custom-made UFC championship belt donned by himself – sporting an eye-catching Mexican-theme. Rodríguez, the current interim featherweight champion, is slated to headline UFC 290 this weekend during International Fight Week, taking on featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski […]

Ahead of his incoming UFC 290 title headliner this weekend, interim featherweight champion, Yair Rodríguez has shown off a custom-made UFC championship belt donned by himself – sporting an eye-catching Mexican-theme.

Rodríguez, the current interim featherweight champion, is slated to headline UFC 290 this weekend during International Fight Week, taking on featherweight kingpin, Alexander Volkanovski in the pair’s title unification bout at the T-Mobile Arena.

Initially winning interim spoils back in February of this year in Perth, Australia – Yair Rodríguez turned in an impressive second round win over Josh Emmett – submitting the Arizona veteran with a triangle choke submission win.

Yair Rodríguez received his custom title belt from his management

Set to draw New South Wales favorite, Volkanovski in a title unification bout this weekend in ‘Sin City’, Yair Rodríguez displayed a new custom-belt made for him by artist duo, Jacobo and Maria Ángeles – and gifted to him by his management agency. (H/T MMA Fighting)

Furthermore, UFC president, Dana White revealed that Mexican champions, Rodríguez, as well as flyweight gold holder, Brandon Moreno – who co-headlines UFC 290 this weekend, and flyweight queen, Alexa Grasso, are also slated to receive their own one-of-a-kind custom-made UFC championship belts.

“So, there’s a guy down in Mexico that does this (custom design) and wants to do (UFC) belts,” Dana White told Complex during a recent interview ahead of UFC 290. “I have three Mexican world champions right now. What they want to do is, they want to customize the belts – take out belts and paint them… the Mexican flag and all… he has all these cool concepts for the belts. And I’m actually going to do it. So these fighters would have a one-of-one custom Mexican championship belt.”

Prior to his interim title win over Emmett earlier this year ‘Down Under’, Rodríguez defeated common-foe and former title challenger, Brian Ortega in a first round TKO victory in the main event of UFC Fight Night Long Island last year.

Alexander Volkanovski vows to outstrike Yair Rodríguez at UFC 290: ‘Taekwondo Volk’s gonna come for him’

Ahead of his UFC 290 title unification headliner with interim gold holder, Yair Rodríguez this weekend, fellow featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski has vowed to implement a taekwondo-heavy style to outstrike the dynamic kicker. Volkanovski, who will attempt to land the fifth successful defense of his featherweight title reign as he takes on Mexican challenger, Rodríguez […]

Volkanovski, who will attempt to land the fifth successful defense of his featherweight title reign as he takes on Mexican challenger, Rodríguez this weekend, will also look to return to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since his UFC tenure began.

Headlining his native Australia back in February, Volkanovski suffered a close, unanimous decision loss to lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev in an unsuccesful pursuit of two-division champion status in Perth.

Alexander Volkanovski envisions outstriking Yair Rodríguez at UFC 290 this weekend

And drawing Rodríguez this weekend in ‘Sin City’ – Volkanovski, who is largely closing as a favorite to defeat the Chihuahua striker, has laid out plans to defeat the former at his own striking game.

“Everyone knows that I love to take people out at their own game as well,” Alexander Volkanovski told NBC Sports. “I like really challenging people and showing people how wide my skillset is, how well-rounded I really am. The Taekwondo challenge excites me.”

“I can’t wait to throw some spinning heel kicks, and ‘Taekwondo Volk’s’ gonna come for Yair (Rodríguez), you know, really beat him at his own game,” Alexander Volkanovski continued. (H/T MMA News)

In prior successful title defenses, Volkanovski has landed a pair of rematch and subsequent title trilogy bout wins over common-foe, Max Holloway – as well as stopping common-foe, Chan Sung Jung, and taking a unanimous decision victory over another common-opponent, Brian Ortega during his time as undisputed featherweight kingpin.

En route to his interim featherweight title over Josh Emmett at UFC 284 back in February to boot, The Ultimate Fighter victor, Rodriguez landed a first round TKO win over Ortega, who suffered a shoulder injury following a submission attempt from the former.

Yair Rodriguez is ‘going to be competitive’ against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 290 despite underdog status

Despite walking into Saturday’s UFC 290 main event as a three-to-one underdog, Yair Rodriguez is being touted as the toughest test yet for reigning featherweight world champion Alexander Volkanovski. After scoring a second-round submission over Josh Emmett to capture the interim featherweight title, Rodriguez will attempt to trade up for undisputed gold against the No. […]

After scoring a second-round submission over Josh Emmett to capture the interim featherweight title, Rodriguez will attempt to trade up for undisputed gold against the No. 2 ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Virtually everyone has picked Volkanovski to come out on top inside T-Mobile Arena, but popular play-by-play man Jon Anik expects ‘El Pantera’ to give Volkanovski a real run for his money during International Fight Week.

“Yair Rodriguez is the f*cking man,” Anik told MMA Fighting. “Dominick Cruz coined him ‘one of one,’ and I’m not sure that more appropriate words have ever been used to describe an athlete. I have no point of comparison when it comes to Yair Rodriguez. I absolutely think he’s going to be competitive against Alexander Volkanovski.”

Anik Sees No Need to Rush Into Volkanovski vs. Makhachev Rematch Following Fight with Yair Rodriguez

Yair Rodriguez captured the interim 145-pound crown at UFC 284, the same night that Alexander Volkanovski attempted to become a two-division world champion, challenging Islam Makhachev for the lightweight championship. The Dagestani destroyer came out on top via a unanimous decision that was scrutinized by fans and fighters alike. The somewhat controversial result left the door wide open for a rematch, but Jon Anik believes there’s no need to rush into running back their Fight of the Year contender.

“I feel like with the Makhachev-Volkanovski rematch, you can let that marinate a little bit,” Anik said. “I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that that fight could materialize even three or four years down the line. I just think with the wealth of talent you have right now at 145 and 155, it’s not a strike-while-the-iron-is-hot situation. I do believe that it’s ambitious just to think that Volkanovski is going to get completely through Yair unscathed and turn it around in October.

“Only thing I would say is that when we did sit down with Alex to begin the year, he said he wanted to fight four times in 2023, and I certainly believe — to quote Michael Chandler — that Volkanovski is here for a good time and not a long time,” Anik continued. “I really think he’s trying to put training camps together and realize these paydays and not be fighting into his 40s. So I think we have to enjoy Volanovski while we can, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him try for a quick turn even if it’s a hard fight in July.”

Islam Makhachev is aiming for a return to action this October when the promotion heads back to Abu Dhabi for UFC 294. Alexander Volkanvski has exhibited an interest in making a quick turnaround to compete at the event, but don’t expect to see their highly anticipated rematch booked just yet. Makhachev is currently slated for a lightweight title defense against former foe Charles Oliveira or possibly the winner of this month’s UFC 291 headliner between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje.

As for Volkanovski’s next title defense, should he get past Yair Rodriguez on Saturday night, could come against 14-0 standout Ilia Topuria. ‘El Matador’ earned a decisive unanimous decision win over Josh Emmett last month, thrusting himself into the division’s top five and potentially establishing himself as the next man in line for a title opportunity.

UFC 290: Previewing Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodríguez and the Rest of the Card

It’s hard to believe, but it’s already almost time for the UFC’s annual International Fight Week bonanza, which typically culminates with the promotion’s…

Ilia Topuria plans to attend Volkanovski – Rodríguez title fight at UFC 290: ‘I will be there, watching my next prey’

Off the back of his stunning victory against Josh Emmett at UFC Jacksonville last night in ‘The Sunshine State’, unbeaten featherweight contender, Ilia Topuria has plans to attend UFC 290 during International Fight Week next month at UFC 290 – with sights set on fighting the eventual undisputed champion, Alexander Volkanovski or Yair Rodríguez. Topuria, […]

Topuria, the current number nine ranked featherweight contender, is likely set to topple former interim title challenger, Emmett from the number five rank in the division next week – off the back of his spectacular unanimous decision (50-44, 50-42, 49-45) triumph against the Arizonian. The bout also earned both men a Fight of the Night bonus to boot.

Turning in consecutive Octagon victory number six, Topuria has previously defeated Youseff Zalal, Damon Jackson, Ryan Hall, Jai Herbert, and Bryce Mitchell.

And immediately noting his intentions to secure a featherweight title fight next – ideally in an undisputed tilt against the above-mentioned, Volkanovski, Topuria has also entertained a potential title-eliminator against former division champion, Max Holloway – if the promotion offer him a headlining bout in Spain.

Ilia Topuria plots championship premiere in next UFC outing

Speaking with assembled media following his unanimous judging win against Emmett, Topuria announced plans to attend UFC 290 next month at the T-Mobile Arena, taking in Volkanovski’s and Rodríguez’s title unification bout.

“I’m the next guy in the line,” Ilia Topuria said of fighting for a featherweight championship next. “I can wait. One of the best skills that I have is the patience. If they [the UFC] offer me to fight with Max Holloway in Spain, let’s do it. If not, I’m going to wait for my title fight. That’s all.”

“I will be there [at UFC 290], watching my next prey,” Ilia Topuria explained. “[The winner’s] war is going to end soon and mine is going to start.”

UFC champ Alexander Volkanovski puts the squeeze on Logan Paul in sparring session: ‘I’m not doing BJJ again’

Logan Paul is officially done with BJJ after spending the morning sparring with reigning UFC featherweight champion and pound-for-pound great Alexander Volkanovski. On Saturday, July 8, Volkanovski will return to the Octagon for a highly anticipated clash with interim titleholder Yair Rodriguez as part of this year’s International Fight Week festivities. Weeks away from his […]

Logan Paul is officially done with BJJ after spending the morning sparring with reigning UFC featherweight champion and pound-for-pound great Alexander Volkanovski.

On Saturday, July 8, Volkanovski will return to the Octagon for a highly anticipated clash with interim titleholder Yair Rodriguez as part of this year’s International Fight Week festivities. Weeks away from his second appearance of 2023, Volkanovski sat down with the social media sensation to discuss what exactly makes ‘The Great’ so great. During their conversation, Logan Paul revealed that the two engaged in a sparring session earlier that morning, and by the sounds of it, things did not go well for the WWE Superstar.

“You’re the best in the world at what you do. I got to experience it this morning,” Paul said during a recent episode of his IMPAULSIVE podcast.

“It’s like I knew it. I knew it going into it. I’ve said it on this very podcast before I even knew you, and one of the first fights that I saw of you that impressed me,” Paul continued. “I had the feeling, the instinct to speak on it because I could tell how fiery you were. I think it was actually the first time you popped on the scene for me. I’m usually a little late on the bandwagon, but man, you are so strong and dominant, and you put me in a body lock, and I feel like you could’ve tightened your legs so much and just literally split me in half. I’m not doing BJJ again.”

Alexander Volkanovski, alongside City Kickboxing teammate and fellow UFC champion Israel Adesanya, recently became the first official athletes of Logan Paul’s PRIME energy drink.

Alexander Volkanovski and Israel Adesanya become first official athletes of Logan Paul’s Prime https://t.co/2fIJCuOKGf pic.twitter.com/5QemGTL3z5

— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) June 4, 2023

Alexander Volkanovski Shares His Secret to Becoming One of the Best Fighters in the World

Asked what drives him to be one of the best fighters in the world, Volkanovski believes it’s all a matter of working hard and having a penchant for problem-solving when stuck in a tight situation like the one he found himself in against Brian Ortega.

“I think I’ve always been like a Brazilian dude. Durable, strong. Obviously, my techniques [are] updated now as well. Like software. I’m very well-rounded. My striking, I’ve always been gritty and hard-working. So that was a good example of it,” Volkanovski said, referencing his UFC 266 fight with Brian Ortega. “Because a lot of people are like, ‘What made you the champ? What made you who you are today?’

“I just point at that, pretty much. Like, that’s the guy. That’s the guy that turns up in the gym every time. A never give up attitude. Problem-solving is like, f*ck, just do what you got to do to get out f*cking this and I won’t look for any other option other than do something f*cking about it. That’s how I’ve always been.”

Alexander Volkanovski will have another big problem to solve next month as he steps back into the main event spotlight for a title unification showdown with Yair Rodriguez. Hailing from Mexico, a country that has seen a slew of UFC champions emerge from the shadows in recent years, Rodriguez scored the biggest win of his career in February, finishing heavy-hitting featherweight standout Josh Emmett at UFC 284 to claim the interim crown.

On July 8, ‘El Pantera’ will attempt to trade in his interim title for undisputed gold as he meets the No. 2 ranked P4P fighter in the world.