Just before Alexander Volkanovski attempts to become the latest champ-champ, Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett will fight for an interim UFC featherweight title at UFC 284.
Rodriguez vs. Emmett was announced Saturday during the pay-per-view broadcast of UFC 281, hours after the promotion confirmed the superfight between undisputed champ Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev, the current undisputed lightweight champion.
UFC 284 takes place Feb. 12 at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia (due to the time difference, the pay-per-view card will air stateside on Feb. 11).
In a previous interview, Rodriguez said he wasn’t interested in taking an interim title fight. Instead, he aimed to wait for Volkanovski, whose aspirations to hold two titles simultaneously have been well-advertised.
Recently, Rodriguez indicated he hadn’t given up on his plan to challenge Vokanovski next.
Hey @alexvolkanovski Are you a man of your word?
We had a talk in Dallas. Everyone knows I’m next #perth #australia https://t.co/VqLyw3Rked pic.twitter.com/hVtmvPlZvL— Yair Rodriguez (@panteraufc) November 4, 2022
The prospect of an extended wait might have persuaded the Mexican standout that he would not fight. He hopes to continue his recent rebound with a TKO victory over Brian Ortega, who was one-time champion featherweight. This came after a loss to Max Holloway.
Emmett has, in the meantime, battled through the wilds of the featherweight section, suffering injury and layoffs as he tried to keep hold. Currently on a five-fight winning streak, he most recently dispatched Calvin Kattar by split decision, earning him a spot in the conversation when talk of an interim title surfaced.
The official bout order for UFC 284 is not yet confirmed. This event will air live on ESPN+ pay per view.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/11/13/23455815/yair-rodriguez-vs-josh-emmett-set-for-interim-featherweight-title-fight-at-ufc-284?rand=96749
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