Rising featherweight star Yair Rodriguez, who declined the fight offer against Russia’s Zabit Magomedsharipov on Aug. 4 UFC 227, after that promotion president Dana White cut Yair from the organization.
The 25-year-old Mexican fighter disagrees with promotion saying he was trying to negotiate to get any top 10 opponents like Lamas or contract renegotiation to face a lower ranked fighter like Magomedsharipov.
On Friday, news emerges that Mexican fighter Rodriguez has reconciled with the UFC after Yair met with UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby in Las Vegas on Saturday to discuss the matter and agreed to face Zabit Magomedsharipov at UFC 228 on Sept. 8.
Mexican featherweight Yair Rodriguez issued a statement regarding his comeback via social media and credited matchmaker Sean Shelby:
“I address to all my fans, friends and family for always been supportive of my career,” wrote Rodriguez. “As well I’ll like to thank all of those companies showing interest on my persona and work. – Sean Shelby and I have a friend in common, Mario Delgado, he was the connection between us. He set up a meeting between Sean & I, where we had a friendly conversation during lunch on Friday. We got into the interview realization that what happened was a big miscommunication and bad timing. After the conversation I’m happy to know that the UFC & I are in the best terms ever and now I’m back in track to chase my dream of become a UFC champion. Zabit Magomedsharipov, see you September 8th in Las Vegas.”
Rodriguez No. 11-ranked featherweight didn’t compete since a second-round technical knockout loss to former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar on May 13, 2017. Yair holds a 15-1 overall record and has won 11-straight including three in the UFC.
