For Yair Rodriguez it is not a matter of whether he is fighting against Diego Lopes, it is a matter of when.
Things have been structured for years between the best UFC Feather weights, their rivalry reached a new climax on Thursday at the UFC 314 press conference.
Booked to combat various opponents with Lopes who challenges Alexander Volkanovski for the title and Yair Rodriguez who received Patricio Pitbull, Lopes was asked whether the opportunities of a Rodriguez fight at Nouch UFC 3 in Guadalajara, Mexican Te Mexican.
Rodriguez was furious and confronted Lopes and his team because he reportedly jumped his teammate Marco Beltran. Lopes had submitted the former UFC hunter in a Mexican title fight in 2019. Security intervened during the press conference and stopped the hunters.
On UFC 314 on Saturday, Rodriguez would rise against Pitbull, the former Bellator Two-Division Champion. Lopes was not very lucky, defeated by Volkanovski about the distance in his first UFC option option.
Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images
Yair Rodriguez cuts Diego Lopes rain control for Alex Volkanovski
Despite the loss for Lopes, fans are still chewing to see him to arrange the score with 'El Pantera' later this year at NOCHE UFC 3.
While Lopes is definitely a name on his hit list, as a top candidate who comes from a victory, Rodriguez is now aimed at title conflicts a fight with Alexander Volkanovski, which he lost to TKO on UFC 290 less than two years ago.
“Of course in the eyes of the fans [it’s a big fight]”Rodriguez said about a potential battle with Lopes at the UFC 314 Post-Fight Press Conference.
“But if you ask me, if you are in my position now, the beef can stay aside for the time being.
“The only thing I am looking for now is fighting for that belt …
“I think when the moment comes, we will talk more about it,” said Rodriguez about Lopes. “But for now it is going to concentrate on that title fight, which is fighting the current champion, Alexander Volkanovski in a rematch. I want to do that in Guadalajara.”
Yair Rodriguez about why Diego Lopes resentment match should be done
Lopes argued only a few days ago against another title shot for Rodriguez. Prior to Pitbull, the former interim champion had two losses in a row to Volkanovski and Brian Ortega, which were dominated in September.
Both hunters in the featherweight top 5 and unfinished activities that have left between them, Rodriguez is convinced that he will share the Octagon with Lopes in the future.
“It will have to happen at some point,” said Rodriguez about fighting Lopes.
“I actually spoke with my friend Marco Beltran, and I told him, I have you, Bro … I have this for you. I had something like that, I will be sure that when I have the chance to fight him, I make sure I have it for you.”
Rodriguez reveals why he went after Lopes during the press conference after he was previously warm with the Brazilian hunter.
'[In the past] We could take photos together. I could play cool for as long as possible to keep it cool, “Rodriguez explained.
“But the man tried to be disrespectful in the in the press conference and tried to say how many losses he has?
“A bit so attacked. I had something like that, you know what? That's it. I am not able to assume it anymore …”
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