UFC featherweight Yair Rodriguez isn’t caught up in the hype of new arrival and former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull to the UFC when they fight at UFC 314 this Saturday night.
“Honestly I didn’t know too much about Pitbull. Of course I knew who he was and I knew about his career, opponents he had, great knockout wins, submission wins he had against great opponents,” Rodriguez told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.
“I never looked too much into his career. The only thing I need to look into is his technique, the holes in his game, regardless of who he has passed in the past. That’s not me. It doesn’t really matter. At the end of the day he’s going to be facing a complete new person Saturday.”
Rodriguez (19-5) fights on the same card featuring the featherweight title bout between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. Although Brazilian, Lopes lives and trains in Mexico and has been embraced by the Mexican fans.
Rodriguez doesn’t have an issue with Lopes, but seems bothered by how the fans have taken him in as one of their own.
“It’s not like I have a problem with it. It’s just like I don’t agree with (it). I started my career in the UFC 2014. It’s 2025. I have been living in the US for over 10 years. Almost 11 years. My girlfriend’s American, I speak English, and not because of that (am I) representing the American flag to gain followers from America,” Rodriguez said.
“I love this country. I have said this in the past, but not because of that I’m going to say I’m American, I am not. I’m Mexican, I’m proud of it. So whenever you ask me, yes, I have a problem with that.”
So is his issue with Lopes himself? The former interim champion says no.
“Not (with) Diego. He’s just doing his job by doing what he’s doing right now. More so my problem is with like what’s up with people? I understand he’s great, he’s exciting, and he’s doing his job. I just don’t agree with it,” he said.
“If he’s doing it, good for him, people wants to see him as Mexican. I don’t have a problem with that. I’ve been killing myself for the last 10 years for my country. If they decide to go with him at a moment we have to fight that’s on them. Not on me.”
Noche UFC takes place on Sept. 13 as the promotion makes it’s first trip to Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. The card is set to once again be a celebration of Mexican independence, and one that Rodriguez hopes to be a part of.
His dance partner? He hopes it’s Lopes.
“That’s what I’m picturing. Not overlooking this fight against Pitbull, but you actually have to be prepared for whatever. You have to kind of visualize what you want to happen and create it in your head,” he said.
Rodriguez reached out to former UFC flyweight champion Brendan Moreno after the latter’s recent victory. He hopes to have two title fights in Guadalajara for Noche UFC. Moreno for the flyweight belt, and him for the featherweight title.
“I told him ‘Let’s make it two. Let’s make it two championships in Guadalajara. It will be a historical event so that’s what I’m looking for.
At UFC 314 he’ll face a former champion in Pitbull, but Rodriguez feels confident. He believs Pitbull is facing a brand new Yair Rodriguez in Miami.
“Not only because it’s me. It’s because all the changes that I’ve been doing and I’m pretty sure that I’m going to show up,” he said.
“And do my f*cking job on Saturday.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Yair Rodriguez above. He takes on Patricio Pitbull at UFC 314 on Saturday night.
