Written by Xavier Serrano
Featherweights look to collide as a returning Brian Ortega Takes on a game Yair Rodriguez in a rematch at UFC Mexico on February 24
UFC Mexico City, a yearly event to commemorate the skilled martial artists that represent Mexican heritage took place on February 24th in the CDMX arena in Mexico city. The co main event included a barn burner in the featherweight division as a returning Brian Ortega took on a dangerous Yair Rodriguez. Brian Ortega, a skilled submission artist, had returned from injury after suffering a disastrous shoulder injury during a previous encounter with Yair Rodriguez in 2022.
The event consisted of 5 bouts on the main card but was soon dropped to 4 as Raul Rosas pulled out of his scheduled bout against Ricky Turcios due to illness. “ T – City “ shared the octagon with “ El Pantera” in the co main event of UFC Mexico to settle the real winner after a controversial ending in their previous fight. Yair Rodriguez would win by doctor stoppage after Brian Ortega would suffer a TKO loss after a shoulder injury halted his success in round one.
The match would settle who would be considered a contender for the new featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria, As the fight was beginning and the combatants were being introduced, Brian Ortega would take a misstep and unintentionally roll his ankle which would limit his mobility in the first round. Yair Rodriguez would lead the dance with a heavy striking assault as El Pantera landed multiple kicks to the legs, body and head.
Brian Ortega would be busted open in the early round due to Yair Rodriguez’s efficient striking. Despite being on the receiving end of a one sided assault, Brian Ortega’s chin would prove to be made from granite as he pressured on through the pain. The tides would quickly change as Rodriguez would catch Ortega with a swift left hand as an answer to a 3 piece combination from Ortega. Round 1 would soon end as Ortega would seek the bright light as it illuminated a path to victory which would be grappling.
Brian Ortega would come out of the second round with some new found aggression as he would press on the gas pedal and display sharper offense, clipping Rodriguez a few times. Despite showing some signs of life, El Pantera would prove to be too advanced on the feet and would get the better of Brian Ortega in each exchange. As Ortega realized his striking was proving to show no effect, he would soon switch over to grappling which would change the way the match would turn out.
As round 2 would snowball from a one sided beating to an even slug fest, round three would make itself known. The match had lived up to the expectations as both fighters demonstrated resilience whilst being caught in dangerous predicaments. Brian Ortega would find great success in grappling as he would have the upper hand in the ground aspect of the match. Ortega would successfully clamp on a tight triangle choke to secure a 3rd round submission win. The Mexican fans in attendance would give a standing ovation to Brian ‘ T – City ‘ Ortega for a resilient performance and victory.
The question that remains is whether or not Brian Ortega would be considered a gatekeeper or a contender for the featherweight gold. After being on the receiving end of to two failed championship opportunities due to failing to beat Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, the MMA community winces at the idea of Brian Ortega receiving another loss. What is next following this win in the top 5 for T – City ?
