Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Yair Rodriguez Denies Ducking Diego Lopes, Fires Back at Noche UFC Fight Claims

Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The drama in the UFC featherweight division is picking up pace as Diego Lopes publicly accused Yair Rodriguez of ducking a fight at Noche UFC, igniting their ongoing rivalry. After a heated clash at UFC 314 press conference, Lopes called out Rodriguez on social media, claiming he refused a matchup offered by UFC executive Hunter Campbell. The bad blood between the two has the fans hyped, with Alexander Volkanovski’s title reign adding a little more pressure to the top contenders in the featherweight division.

The feud between the two fighters have been going on for a while, and Lopes’ taunts and Rodriguez’s response have now escalated tensions, which could promise us fans a fiery clash at UFC Noche in San Antonio. With Volk looming, the division has a lot of fighters on the come up, which will guarantee drama and fans far eager to see who steps up. So this begs the question, will this rivalry transfer to the Octagon, or will some other contender seize the moment?

Diego Lopes Has Some Things He Needs To Get It off His Chest

In the midst of all this drama, Lopes went on X and wrote, “Let’s get to the facts. After the fight vs Volk, UFC contacted me asking how I was doing health-wise. I told them all the recommendations the doctors gave me. That I would be ready to fight in September. They offered Aaron Pico, I said yes.
2 days later they offered me Jean Silva, I said yes. When UFC changed UFC Fight Night to San Antonio. Yair Rodriguez, I said yes. I also made the suggestion to offer the fight vs Movsar or Lerone. If you have any doubts, ask Dana, Hunter, or Sean if I’ve ever turned down a fight. The day I refuse or don’t accept a fight, it has to be because of a very serious health issue or because I’m truly unable to fight. My career was built on accepting fights, not for nothing do I have 32 professional fights,” emphasizing on the fact that he is not somebody who ducks any fighters that want to take him on.

Vamos a lo factos.
Después de la pelea vs volk, ufc me contacto preguntando cómo yo estaba de salud. Les dije toda las recomendaciones que me pasaron los doctores. Que yo estaría listo para pelear en septiembre.
Ofrecieron ⬇️
Aaron pico, yo dije si.
2 días después me…
— Diego Lopes 🇧🇷🇲🇽 (@Diegolopesmma) June 9, 2025

Yair Rodriguez Responds to Diego Lopes’ Claims

Yair Rodriguez (21-5-0) fired back at Diego Lopes claims, denying he ducked a fight at Noche UFC, set for September at Frost Bank Arena in San Antonio. “I have not turned down the fight, and I’d be more than happy to fight against this damn sh**head and his entire team, who can all s*ck it,” Rodriguez declared, addressing Lopes’ accusations and their UFC 314 press conference altercation over a past issue.

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Lopes is coming off of a loss to Volkanovski at UFC 314, and he taunted Rodriguez for allegedly declining a matchup. Meanwhile, Rodriguez is coming fresh off a win against Patricio Pitbull and is also eyeing for a featherweight title shot despite multiple contenders standings in the way. The way Rodriguez responded, it immediately tells us that he is ready to throw hands to settle the score inside the octagon, making this a must-watch event. If booked, it could determine Volk’s next challenger while delivering an interesting fight that fans love!

Diego Lopes

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UFC Noche

Yair Rodriguez

Eric Divakaran

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