Are you a man of your word, Alexander Volkanovski? asks Yair Rodriguez

• Yair Rodriguez wants an immediate opportunity at the UFC featherweight title
• Rodriguez’s defeat of Ortega was not a decisive one, just as Arnold Allen’s victory over Calvin Kattar at UFC Fight Night 213 this past Saturday wasn’t either
• Despite the competitive rivals in the division, Volkanovski, the four-time defending champion, is still interested in Makhachev

Yair Rodriguez does not want a provisional shot; he wants a direct shot at the UFC featherweight title.

Numerous top 145-pounders have been vying for a title chance as champion Alexander Volkanovski (25-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) looks to step up in weight and face recently crowned lightweight champ Islam Makhachev.

Rodriguez (14-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who in July defeated Brian Ortega via TKO due to injury, is one of them. Volkanovski was reminded by “El Pantera” of their talk from UFC 277 in July, and he is prepared to take him on at UFC 284 on February 11 in Perth, Australia.

Rodriguez’s defeat of Ortega was not a decisive one, just as Arnold Allen’s victory over Calvin Kattar at UFC Fight Night 213 this past Saturday wasn’t either. After Kattar hurt his knee and was unable to continue, Allen also prevailed via technical knockout. Although Josh Emmett is also a contender, the division is at a loss because of his contentious victory over Kattar in a split decision.

Despite the competitive rivals in the division, Volkanovski, the four-time defending champion, is still interested in Makhachev. Following Charles Oliveira’s submission at UFC 280, Makhachev challenged Volkanovski to a fight at UFC 284 in February.

Hey @alexvolkanovski Are you a man of your word?
We had a talk in Dallas. Everyone knows I’m next #perth #australia https://t.co/VqLyw3Rked pic.twitter.com/hVtmvPlZvL

— Yair Rodriguez (@panteraufc) November 4, 2022

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