Yair Rodriguez acknowledges UFC champ Alexander Volkanovski as 145-pound GOAT

UFC featheweight contender Yair Rodriguez hopes to land a rematch against who he believes is his division’s greatest of all time.

MIAMI – Former UFC featherweight interim champion Yair Rodriguez acknowledges Alexander Volkanovski as the 145-pound GOAT, and can’t wait to prove himself against the newly crowned champion.

Rodriguez (20-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) took his first shot against Volkanovski (27-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC) at UFC 290 in a title unification bout. Although “El Pantera” came up short in that fight, he remains confident that his game has elevated to new heights since their first meeting in 2023.

Both men competed at UFC 314. On the main card, Rodriguez defeated a debuting Patricio Freire by unanimous decision, while Volkanovski won by the same method in the main event against Diego Lopes to reclaim the vacant featherweight title. Ahead of the fight, many wrote off Volkanovski, but he proved there’s still plenty of tread left on the tires.

When asked if he thought Volkanovski’s game has diminished, Rodriguez isn’t quite sure. Instead, he offered plenty of praise as he angles for another title shot.

“I don’t know if that’s the case or not, but I also believe Volkanovski is one of the greatest of all time, and he has shown that,” Rodriguez told MMA Junkie. “He has shown that for many years now, and I am happy to face this new Volkanovski, because he’s also been doing some changes on his diet, you know? And I think he’s motivated. He’s having a fourth kid or something like that, which congratulations for that, and I can’t wait to face him – this new version of himself.”

After their first meeting, Rodriguez went on to rematch Brian Ortega in February 2024. It was another rough outing for Rodriguez, as he lost by submission in the third round, but after taking time off to reset, he rebounded nicely and is eager to get another crack at the title. It’s a similar road Volkanovski traveled, having returned to the win column after dropping two straight, albeit in title fights.

If Rodriguez can leap past undefeated Movsar Evloev, he is confident he will face not only the greatest in the division’s history, but also the best version of Volkanovski.

“I think he’s the GOAT of 145 (pounds),” Rodriguez said. “As of this moment, of course. He’s the titleholder and he was the titleholder for however many fights. I’ll say this in an interview and I’ll still say it: I think when he fought Ilia Topuria, he wasn’t coming from his best moment. I think he has gained more confidence after this last fight, and I want to face that guy. I want to face the stronger Volkanovski because I’m also going to be the best version of myself.”

Rodriguez earned his first shot at a piece of the 145-pound title by winning a first-round TKO over Ortega due to a shoulder injury. He went on to face and defeat Josh Emmett for the interim title, which was created when Volkanovski moved up to lightweight to challenge for a second title against Islam Makhachev.

The Mexican featherweight hopes the UFC will recognize the work he has put in over the years and his most recent performance as reasons to name him the next title challenger. For Rodriguez, it’s not about showing others he can do it; it’s more about validating his career journey.

“It would mean a lot,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t have to prove anything to nobody, you know? It’s just like, not even to myself – I just work for it. This is what I work for, this is what I do to be the best. That will show itself when the right time comes. So, it would mean a lot to me, to my family, to my country to be a part of something as huge as that is super important. I can’t wait for that to happen.”