Photo: ESPN
Tale of the Tape
Age
33
Height
5' 11"
Reach
71"
Stance
Orthodox
Country
Mexico
Key Stats
81%
Win Rate
67%
Finish Rate
9
KO/TKO Wins
5
Submission Wins
2
Title Fight Wins
26
Pro Fights
Advanced Stats
Color = level vs. divisionStriking
Grappling
Career
Win Methods
Yair Rodriguez, better known as "El Pantera", holds the #5 spot at featherweight, flying the flag for Mexico — and rankings that high aren't given away, they're taken.
He fights at a pace most of the division can't hold — 4.65 strikes landed a minute, every minute. By round three, opponents are usually fighting his fight.
Last time out he beat Patricio Pitbull (Decision - Unanimous) — the kind of result that keeps a career pointed in the right direction.
Recent Fights
Patricio Pitbull
Decision - Unanimous · Apr 13, 2025
UFC 314: Volkanovski vs. Lopes
Brian Ortega
Submission (Arm Triangle) R3 · Feb 25, 2024
UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2
Alexander Volkanovski
KO/TKO (Punches) R3 · Jul 9, 2023
UFC 290: Volkanovski vs. Rodriguez
Josh Emmett
Submission (Triangle Choke) R2 · Feb 12, 2023
UFC 284: Makhachev vs. Volkanovski
Brian Ortega
KO/TKO R1 · Jul 16, 2022
UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. Rodriguez
Latest / Yair Rodriguez News
Thad Jean Wants Two PFL Belts — and He's Already Naming Names Before Washington
The 2025 PFL welterweight tournament winner fights Ernesto Rodriguez for the vacant 170-pound title Saturday — and he's already eyeing the 185-pound crown.
Jul 25, 2026
Thad Jean Wins Vacant PFL Welterweight Title vs Late Replacement
Ernesto Rodriguez stepped up from the undercard on days' notice after Shamil Musaev withdrew, handing 2025 champ Thad Jean a shot at gold in D.C.
Jul 25, 2026