Rodriguez to Face Garcia at UFC 335
Former interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez will meet No. 14-ranked Steve Garcia at UFC 335 in Las Vegas.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
Yair Rodriguez will face Steve Garcia at UFC 335 on December 12, 2026, inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Garcia confirmed the matchup on Instagram.
Why it matters
The bout pairs a former UFC interim featherweight champion returning from an extended layoff against a ranked contender seeking to rebound from a June knockout loss. A win could meaningfully reshape both fighters' positions in the division.
Rodriguez's record stands at 21-5 with one no contest, while Garcia is 19-6 and has been ranked No. 14 in the featherweight division. Rodriguez has been out of competition for roughly 20 months, and his post-injury condition has not been fully disclosed.
The players
Yair Rodriguez
Rodriguez is a Mexican mixed martial artist and former UFC interim featherweight champion known for his striking-based style.
Steve Garcia
Garcia is an American mixed martial artist competing in the UFC featherweight division, currently ranked No. 14.
Diego Lopes
Lopes is a Brazilian-born mixed martial artist who knocked out Steve Garcia in the second round at UFC Freedom 250.
The details
Rodriguez won a unanimous decision over Patricio Pitbull at UFC 314 in April 2025, then withdrew from a September Noche UFC bout against Jean Silva after suffering an injury. Garcia's seven-fight winning streak ended in June when Diego Lopes knocked him out in the second round at UFC Freedom 250.
Timeline
April 2025: Rodriguez defeats Patricio Pitbull at UFC 314.
June: Garcia's winning streak ends with a second-round knockout loss to Diego Lopes at UFC Freedom 250.
September: Rodriguez withdraws from his scheduled Noche UFC bout against Jean Silva due to injury.
December 12, 2026: Rodriguez and Garcia meet at UFC 335 in Las Vegas.
Season Trajectory
The matchup follows Rodriguez's unanimous decision win over Patricio Pitbull at UFC 314 in April 2025, marking his return after roughly 20 months away. For Garcia, a win over a former interim champion would restore momentum lost in his June knockout defeat and could push him toward the division's Top 10.
Fantasy and betting audiences tracking the featherweight division will see Rodriguez's return as a key variable given his roughly 20-month layoff. Garcia's ranking and record make this a practical bout to watch for those following the division's standings.
The takeaway
A returning fighter facing a ranked opponent after a long absence can reshape division standings quickly, making this matchup worth tracking as December approaches.
What happens next
Rodriguez and Garcia are scheduled to meet at UFC 335 on December 12, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Further reading
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