It seems Yair Rodriguez and Zabit Magomedsharipov were destined to not fight.
The UFC featherweights were booked multiple times in the past, but for different reasons, the fight never materialized. It was a saga that dragged on for years and had fans crossing their fingers each time the fight was made since it involved two of the most dynamic strikers in the sport.
But now, the idea of a fight between Rodriguez (13-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) and Magomedsharipov seems further away than ever given Magomedsharipov hung up the gloves in June.
It left many mourning the matchup – including Rodriguez himself.
“Yeah, it does sadden me a bit due to the fact that there was a lot of talk – especially him. He said a lot of things,” Rodriguez told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “It’s sad to not be able to finish something that was started.
“For whatever reason it didn’t materialize. But either way, I don’t have any resentment toward him. I hope that he does very well in whatever he decides to do. If he’s injured or sick, I hope he recovers, and I wish him the best.”
Rodriguez returns to action Saturday against Brian Ortega in the main event of UFC on ABC 3 in Elmont, N.Y., on Long Island. He hopes to earn a title shot against Alexander Volkanovski with a win.
“That’s what’s been talked about with the UFC,” Rodriguez said. “I know that Josh Emmett has done a great job, as well, but we’ll see. That’s UFC’s decision to figure out who they give the opportunity to.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 3.
Yair Rodriguez on Zabit Magomedsharipov’s retirement: ‘It does sadden me a bit’
