Why Yair Rodriguez Shouldn't Be Next Challenger For Alexander Volkanovski In 2025

Yair Rodriguez's dominant victory over Patricio Pitbull at UFC 314 has reignited discussions about his potential rematch with Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title.

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Rodriguez is coming off back-to-back losses against Brian Ortega and Alexander Volkanovski before his win at UFC 314.

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Rodriguez defeat to Volkanovski in their title unification bout at UFC 290 was decisive, with Volkanovski winning via TKO in the third round.

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Strength of UFC 314 Opponent: While Rodriguez decisively defeated Patricio Pitbull, it’s worth noting that this was Pitbull's UFC debut.

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Despite being a decorated Bellator champion, Pitbull's performance in the fight was underwhelming, and he struggled to adapt to the UFC level of competition.

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Movsar Evloev, ranked higher than Rodriguez, is on a 19-fight win streak and boasts a perfect 9-0 record in the UFC.

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Although his fights often go to decision, his consistency and undefeated streak make him a strong contender for the next title shot.

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Alexander Volkanovski reclaimed his title with a gritty decision win over Diego Lopes at UFC 314. Given his dominance over Rodriguez in their previous fight, fans and analysts might prefer fresh matchups like Evloev or other rising contenders.

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While Rodriguez's performance at UFC 314 was impressive, his recent losses and the availability of other deserving challengers suggest that he may need another significant win before earning a rematch with Volkanovski.

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