After losing to Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 266, Brian Ortega will move on to the next fight with Yair Rodriguez for the upcoming UFC Long Island. The Ortega-Rodriguez battle will be held at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
On Friday, both fighters had finished the weigh-in agenda and resulting in Ortega registering at 146 pounds, while Rodriguez weighed 145.4 pounds.
When @PanteraUFC hits the Octagon, you KNOW something crazy is about to happen 🍿
[ #UFCLongIsland | Saturday | Main Card 2pm ET LIVE on @ABCNetwork ] pic.twitter.com/AviPMCy1aj
— UFC (@ufc) July 12, 2022
Ortega and Rodriguez have each fought in the UFC as featherweights. Ortega was a former featherweight championship contender, while Rodriguez, dubbed ‘El Pantera,’ is a Latin American featherweight champion.
Fighters information
Ortega is of Mexican descent was born in Los Angeles and possesses dual nationality. He grew up in San Pedro, California, and started learning martial arts when he was five when turned 13, he began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Ortega’s early mixed-martial career was started in 17 when he met James Luhrsen and trained him to compete in Southern California. His first pro-MMA championship was granted when he defeated Carlos Garces.
Ortega is of Mexican descent, was born in Los Angeles, and holds dual citizenship. He grew up in San Pedro, California, and began practicing martial arts when he was five.
At the age of 13, he started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Ortega’s early mixed-martial-arts career began at the age of 17 when he met James Luhrsen, who trained him to fight in Southern California. When he defeated Carlos Garces, he won his first pro-MMA championship.
In April 2014, Ortega signed with UFC. Since then, Ortega fought a total of 18 matches, winning 15 with three KOs, seven submissions, and five decisions. There were several losses for T-City, including a knockout loss against Volkanovski and one by decision.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez started training Taekwondo at the age of five and advanced to the rank of blackbelt before opting to compete as an MMA fighter. He has participated in the UFC’s Featherweight division since 2014, and he is now ranked third in the UFC featherweight division.
El Pantera fought in a total of 17 MMA matches with 13 wins, four by KOs, three by submissions, and by decision six times. Compared to Ortega, Rodriguez only has one loss difference, two by KOs and one by decision. the 29-year-old Mexican had recorded one No contest MMA fight.
Preparation for the fight
Before the UFC Long Island, Rodriguez was after his lose-by-decision against Max Holloway in November 2021. However, he said that he moved on from the fight and would fight for his featherweight ranks against Ortega.
Ortega stated during UFC media day on Wednesday that he still remembers his last loss in the UFC title-deciding fight against Volkanovski. Moreover, he said that he would battle Rodriguez for his pride.
“I’d be lying to you if for the past couple months… every fan reminding you, like, ‘You almost became a champ,’ and I was like, ‘Thank you f—ing d*ck,'” he said.
He said that he would make adjustments and would try his best to win this match to improve his UFC win records.
“I need to become that. That’s what I’m doing. I’m doing my best to grind, to work as hard as I can to make sure that I’m undeniable,” he said.
UFC Long Island fight between Ortega and Rodriguez will air on ABC and can be streamed live on live TV streaming services. The main fight will start at 2 p.m. ET after the preliminary bouts start at 11 a.m. ET.