Rodriguez Headlines Noche UFC After 17-Month Layoff

Former interim UFC featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez will headline Noche UFC on September 12 in Glendale, Arizona, after a 17-month absence from the Octagon.

Rodriguez meets Jean Silva in the main event, as BJPenn.com first reported Tuesday. The Mexican contender has been sidelined since his win over former Bellator champion Patricio Freire at UFC 314 last year. A planned rematch with Alexander Volkanovski fell through, and Volkanovski fought Diego Lopes at UFC 325 instead.

Silva Brings Finishing Power to Noche UFC Main Event

Silva carries a 17-3 record and returns after a decision win over Arnold Allen at UFC 324 in January. The Brazilian has finished Bryce Mitchell, Drew Dober, and Charles Jourdain during his UFC run. He earned his contract on Dana White's Contender Series in 2023 by stopping Kevin Vallejos. His only recent setback came against Lopes at last year's Noche UFC card in San Antonio.

The card also features returns from Alexa Grasso, Brandon Moreno, and other top Latin American fighters. The winner of Rodriguez-Silva could push for a number one contender bout, with Volkanovski expected to face Movsar Evloev next. Evloev beat Lerone Murphy at UFC London earlier this year and holds the top spot in the featherweight queue.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Yair Rodriguez headlines Noche UFC after 17-month hiatus vs. fan favorite