Former UFC featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega and The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America winner Yair Rodríguez headline UFC on ABC: Ortega vs. Rodriguez in New York in a bout that is expected to be chockfull of fireworks. Both fighters will be keen to win this bout in order to be in the line-up for a Featherweight title shot.
Location: UBS Arena, Elmont, New York
Date: 16.07.2022, 21:00
Where to watch: ESPN/ESPN+ ABC
Brian Ortega
After impressing in regional promotions in America, Mexican-American Brian Ortega signed to the UFC in 2014. His debut was eventful as his first-round submission of Mike De La Torre was later changed to a ‘no contest’ when Ortega tested positive for drostanolone in a post-match screening. After seeing out a 9-month ban, Ortega got his UFC career back on track with several Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonus awards. He, however, twice lost championship bids against Max Holloway and current champion Alexander Volkanovski. The latter, last September at UFC 266. He is currently ranked number 3 in the UFC Featherweight rankings.
Brian Ortega, Tale of the Tape
- Age: 31
- Weight: 145 Ibs
- Height: 5’ 9”
- Reach: 69”
- Total fights: 18
- Record: 15-2-1 (no contest)
Yair Rodríguez
Mexican fighter Yair Rodriguez came to the limelight by defeating Leonardo Morales in The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America final at UFC 180. He won the fight via unanimous decision to become the tournament winner, marking his official UFC debut with a win. After several Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards, he produced the knockout of the year award when he beat Chan Sung Jung on November 10, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 139. It was also the latest knockout in UFC history coming at 4:59 in the fifth round.
Rodriguez got into trouble with UFC anti-doping administrator USADA, for failing to notify USADA of his whereabouts and being unavailable for drug testing. He was punished with a six-month suspension in 2020. Last November he lost to Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night 197. He is ranked number 4 in UFC Featherweight rankings.
Yair Rodríguez, Tale of the Tape
- Age: 29
- Weight: 145 Ibs
- Height: 5’ 11”
- Reach: 71”
- Total fights: 17
- Record: 13-3-1 (no contest)
Odds
The oddsmakers have installed Brian Ortega as a moderate favourite with a win for him priced at 1.56 odds on 1xbet.
A win for the underdog, Yair Rodriguez is 2.49 odds on 22Bet.
For the bout to end via KO, TKO, DQ or submission, the odds are at 2.62 on Bet365.
If you prefer Total Under 4.5 then it is priced at 1.8 odds on 1xbet.
