Yair Raziel Rodríguez Portillo Bio
Yair Raziel Rodríguez Portillo, born on October 6, 1992, is a Mexican professional mixed martial artist competing in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He has been active since 2011 and gained recognition after winning The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America featherweight tournament. Rodríguez is a former Interim UFC Featherweight Champion and is ranked among the top featherweights in the UFC as of mid-2025.
Early Life and Background
Yair Rodríguez was born and raised in Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico, to Rigoberto Rodríguez Olivas and Norma Alicia Portillo. He began practicing Taekwondo at the age of five, which laid the foundation for his martial arts career. Growing up in Mexico, Rodríguez developed his striking skills early and earned a black belt in Taekwondo, demonstrating his dedication to martial arts from a young age.
Rodríguez’s early exposure to combat sports was influenced by his family environment and his own passion for martial arts. He also has a brother and a sister, and is a cousin of Olympic boxer Misael Rodríguez, highlighting a family connection to competitive fighting. He currently resides in Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Path to MMA
Rodríguez transitioned from traditional martial arts to mixed martial arts, making his professional debut in 2011. He quickly established himself in regional Mexican promotions, showcasing his dynamic striking and submission skills. His early career included notable wins by knockout and submission, which helped him gain attention from larger organizations.
His breakthrough came when he joined The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America in 2014, representing “Team Velasquez.” Rodríguez won the featherweight tournament on the show, which earned him a contract with the UFC and launched his international MMA career.
Yair Rodríguez Career
Early Career (2011–2014)
Rodríguez began his professional MMA career on October 10, 2011, with a unanimous decision win over Jonatan Guzmán. He continued to compete in Mexican regional promotions, securing victories by submission and knockout. Despite a setback with a first-round knockout loss to Luis Roberto Herrera in 2012, Rodríguez rebounded with several impressive finishes, including a first-round armbar submission against Angelo Durante in 2014.
These early performances demonstrated his versatility and finishing ability, setting the stage for his entry into the UFC. His success in regional circuits helped him develop a well-rounded skill set and gain valuable fight experience.
The Ultimate Fighter and UFC Breakthrough (2014–2017)
In 2014, Rodríguez participated in The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America, where he won the featherweight tournament by defeating Leonardo Morales via unanimous decision in the finals at UFC 180. This victory marked his official UFC debut and established him as a rising prospect.
Following his debut, Rodríguez secured several notable wins in the UFC, including a split decision victory over Charles Rosa at UFC 188, earning his first Fight of the Night bonus. He continued to impress with wins over Dan Hooker and Andre Fili, the latter earning him a Performance of the Night bonus for a second-round knockout. His dynamic striking and creative techniques made him a fan favorite during this period.
Rodríguez also defeated veterans like Alex Caceres and B.J. Penn, earning additional Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night honors. However, he faced a setback with a TKO loss due to doctor stoppage against Frankie Edgar in 2017.
Mid-Career Challenges and Highlights (2018–2021)
In 2018, Rodríguez briefly parted ways with the UFC but returned shortly after resolving differences with the promotion. He was scheduled to fight Zabit Magomedsharipov but withdrew due to injury. Later that year, Rodríguez delivered one of the most memorable knockouts in UFC history by defeating Chan Sung Jung with a reverse elbow knockout at 4:59 of the fifth round, setting the record for the latest knockout in UFC history at that time. This performance earned him both Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards and widespread acclaim.
Rodríguez faced Jeremy Stephens twice in 2019, with the first bout ending in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke and the rematch resulting in a unanimous decision win for Rodríguez, earning another Fight of the Night bonus. Injuries and a six-month USADA suspension in 2020 interrupted his momentum. He returned to face Max Holloway in late 2021 but lost via unanimous decision, though the fight earned Fight of the Night honors.
Kings MMA Era and Recent Career (2022–Present)
Yair Rodríguez joined Kings MMA and continued to compete at a high level. In 2022, he defeated Brian Ortega via technical knockout after Ortega suffered a dislocated shoulder. Rodríguez captured the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship in February 2023 by submitting Josh Emmett with a triangle choke, earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
In July 2023, Rodríguez faced UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski in a title unification bout but lost via TKO in the third round. In early 2024, he lost a rematch to Brian Ortega by submission. Rodríguez rebounded in April 2025 with a unanimous decision victory over former Bellator champion Patrício Pitbull at UFC 314, demonstrating his resilience and skill at the elite level.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Rodríguez is known for his dynamic and creative striking, heavily influenced by his Taekwondo background. His reach and height advantage in the featherweight division allow him to utilize precise kicks and elbows effectively. He combines striking with submission skills, making him a versatile threat. His ability to perform under pressure and execute unconventional techniques has earned him multiple Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses.
Notable Events and Milestones
Rodríguez’s knockout of Chan Sung Jung with a reverse elbow at the final second of the fifth round remains one of the most iconic moments in UFC history. Winning The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America featherweight tournament launched his UFC career, and capturing the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship solidified his status among the division’s elite. His multiple bonus awards highlight his exciting fighting style and fan appeal.
Yair Rodríguez Career Wins
Yair Rodríguez has accumulated 20 professional wins in mixed martial arts, with victories coming by knockout, submission, and decision. His record includes notable wins in the UFC and regional promotions, showcasing his finishing ability and technical skills.
UFC Highlights
Rodríguez’s UFC career features key wins such as his tournament final victory over Leonardo Morales, the record-setting knockout of Chan Sung Jung, and his submission win over Josh Emmett for the Interim Featherweight title. His fights often earn performance bonuses, reflecting his exciting style and effectiveness in the octagon.
Other Wins and Performances
Before joining the UFC, Rodríguez secured several wins in Mexican regional promotions, including submissions and knockouts that demonstrated his all-around fighting capabilities. These early victories helped build his foundation for success at the highest level of MMA competition.
Yair Rodríguez Family
Family Background and Fighting Lineage
Rodríguez comes from a family with a strong connection to combat sports. He is the son of Rigoberto Rodríguez Olivas and Norma Alicia Portillo and has siblings. His cousin, Misael Rodríguez, is an Olympic boxer, indicating a family tradition of competitive fighting and athleticism.
Personal Life
Details about Rodríguez’s personal life, including marital status and children, are not publicly confirmed. He is known primarily for his professional career and dedication to martial arts.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Yair Rodríguez continued to compete at the top level of the featherweight division. He was reportedly scheduled to face Diego Lopes in March, though the fight did not materialize. Rodríguez secured a significant unanimous decision win over Patrício Pitbull in April at UFC 314, showcasing his skill and experience against a former Bellator champion. This victory reinforced his position as a top contender in the division as he looks ahead to future title opportunities.