Report: Magomedsharipov vs. Rodriguez targeted for August
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Magomedsharipov and Rodriguez are once again scheduled to meet, two years after their first booking fell apart.
A fight between top featherweights Zabit Magomedsharipov and Yair Rodriguez is in the works for a UFC event on August 29th.
Magomedsharipov first teased the news back on June 13th with in an Instagram post, simply reading, “It’s time to complete what started 2 years ago. Set course for August 29th.” In an interview with Russian news agency TASS, the UFC featherweight’s manager Rizvan Magomedov confirmed the news.
“They are working on this fight,” Magomedov said. “They proposed Rodriguez to us because [Max] Holloway and [Alexander] Volkanovski will have a second fight. Therefore, we will fight with Yair. It will be a contender fight: Both fighters are on a good winning streak; the winner will fight for the title.” (Transcription via Sherdog)
It’s unclear if the fight will headline the card or be the usual three-round contest. The two featherweights were scheduled to meet back at UFC 228 in September 2018, but an injury forced Rodriguez out of the fight.
Magomedsharipov (18-1) is undefeated in his last fourteen bouts. The talented Russian has impressed in the UFC since making his debut in 2017. Magomedsharipov fought twice in 2019, winning decisions against Calvin Kattar and Jeremy Stephens.
Rodriguez (13-2, 1NC) is known for his unique striking and is ranked fifth in the featherweight division. Making his UFC debut in 2014, Rodriguez won his first six fights before being stopped by former champion Frankie Edgar. Following a 12-second no contest against Stephens in September last year, Rodriguez won a rematch by unanimous decision two months later.
No venue or location has been announced for the August 29th card. Also in the works for the event is a light heavyweight fight between Anthony Smith and Aleksandar Rakic.