Hello, mixed martial artist fans! If you love following the MMA and admire world-class, Yair Rodríguez is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Yair Rodríguez is a Mexican UFC featherweight known for his dynamic striking, creative kicks, and highlight-reel finishes, and by early 2026 he is one of the most recognizable names in the division. His record, rising net worth, and recent high-profile fights have cemented him as a top-tier MMA star.
Yair Rodríguez’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Yair Raziel Rodríguez Portillo |
| Nickname | “El Pantera” |
| Date of Birth | October 6, 1992 |
| Age | 33 years old |
| Birthplace | Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico |
| Current Residence | Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Height | 5’11” (180.34 cm) |
| Weight | 145 lbs |
| Religion | N/A |
| College | N/A |
| Turned Professional | October 10, 2011 |
| Net Worth | $4-7 Million USD |
| Career Earnings | $2.6+ Million USD |
| Family | One brother, one sister; cousin of Olympic boxer Misael Rodríguez |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Children | N/A |
| @panteraufc | |
| Twitter/X | @panteraufc |
Early Career
Rodriguez’s journey into professional fighting began at seventeen years old when he discovered an MMA gymnasium in downtown Parral. Before that pivotal moment, he had trained in multiple martial disciplines, including taekwondo since age five, as well as judo, boxing, and kickboxing. What initially seemed like just another hobby transformed into his life’s passion. He made his professional debut on October 10, 2011, competing under Mexican Fighter Promotions at just nineteen years old.
Over the next three years, he compiled an impressive 5-1 record fighting in smaller Mexican promotions, earning the FMP Featherweight Championship along the way. His sole loss during this period came in December 2012 against Luis Roberto Herrera via knockout—a setback that taught him valuable lessons about championship-level competition and resilience.
Professional Career
Rodriguez’s UFC career began immediately after winning the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America tournament in 2014. He made his official UFC debut on November 15, 2014, at UFC 180 in Mexico City, defeating Leonardo Morales via unanimous decision in the featherweight finals. This victory announced his arrival to a global audience and signaled that Mexico had produced a legitimate contender.
From 2015 through 2017, Rodriguez established himself as a consistent threat, recording victories over accomplished fighters including Andre Fili via knockout, B.J. Penn via second-round TKO, and a split decision win over veteran Alex Caceres. His loss to Frankie Edgar via doctor stoppage in May 2017 marked his first significant setback, but he recovered with impressive performances.
Rodriguez’s career pivoted dramatically in November 2018 when he recorded one of the most memorable knockouts in UFC history—a devastating reverse elbow strike against Chan Sung Jung at 4:59 of round five at UFC Fight Night 139, setting the record for the latest knockout in UFC competition. This performance earned him both Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses totaling $100,000.
The momentum continued through subsequent victories, and in February 2023, he claimed interim featherweight gold by submitting Josh Emmett via triangle choke at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia. His subsequent title unification bid against Alexander Volkanovski in July 2023 ended in defeat via third-round TKO, but he remained among the division’s elite. Most recently, Rodriguez defeated former Bellator champion Patrício Pitbull by unanimous decision at UFC 314 in April 2025, announcing his return to title contention.
Yair Rodríguez’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Yair Rodríguez’s estimated net worth stands between $4 and $7 million USD. This wealth derives primarily from his UFC career spanning over a decade, where he has accumulated more than $2.6 million in disclosed fight purses alone. His highest-earning fight occurred at UFC 290 in July 2023 when he faced Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC Featherweight Championship, earning an estimated $1.03 million in disclosed compensation.
Beyond fight purses, Rodriguez benefits from post-fight performance bonuses, sponsorship agreements with brands like Toyota and Monster Energy, and the UFC’s Promotional Guidelines Compliance program, which distributes funds from Venum’s sponsorship deal. His marketability in Latin America, combined with his championship pedigree and exciting fighting style, has made him an attractive brand ambassador. The estimation accounts for taxable income, though exact figures remain undisclosed due to the private nature of fighter compensation packages that often include backend pay-per-view revenue sharing and locker room bonuses not publicly reported.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Result | Base Purse | Bonuses | Estimated Total | Date |
| UFC 314 | Patricio Pitbull | Win (Decision) | $250,000 | $66,000 | $316,000 | April 12, 2025 |
| UFC Fight Night 237 | Brian Ortega | Loss (Submission) | Unknown | None | $100,000+ | Feb 24, 2024 |
| UFC 290 | Alexander Volkanovski | Loss (TKO) | $1,000,000 | $30,000 | $1,030,000 | July 8, 2023 |
| UFC 284 | Josh Emmett | Win (Submission) | $200,000 | $50,000 | $250,000 | Feb 12, 2023 |
| UFC on ABC 3 | Brian Ortega | Win (TKO) | Unknown | Unknown | $150,000+ | July 16, 2022 |
| UFC Fight Night 197 | Max Holloway | Loss (Decision) | $300,000 | $50,000 | $350,000 | Nov 13, 2021 |
| UFC on ESPN 6 | Jeremy Stephens | Win (Decision) | $250,000 | $50,000 | $300,000 | Oct 18, 2019 |
| UFC Fight Night 139 | Chan Sung Jung | Win (KO) | $200,000 | $100,000 | $300,000 | Nov 10, 2018 |
| UFC 211 | Frankie Edgar | Loss (TKO) | $150,000 | None | $150,000 | May 13, 2017 |
| UFC Fight Night 103 | B.J. Penn | Win (TKO) | $100,000 | $50,000 | $150,000 | Jan 15, 2017 |
Endorsements
- Toyota: Featured as a primary sponsor with Rodríguez serving as a brand ambassador, leveraging his Mexican heritage and popularity in Latin American markets
- Monster Energy: As the official energy drink partner of the UFC, Rodriguez has appeared in Monster Energy-branded promotional content and received compensation through UFC’s official athlete partnership program
- Reebok: Through the UFC’s exclusive apparel partnership, Rodriguez receives standard fighter compensation as part of the Promotional Guidelines Compliance program
- Manscaped: The grooming and personal care brand has featured Rodríguez in UFC-related promotional campaigns and social media content
Career Records
| Opponent | Method | Result | Round/Time | Event | Date | Significance |
| Patricio Pitbull | Decision (Unanimous) | Win | R3 5:00 | UFC 314 | April 12, 2025 | Returned to winning; Pitbull’s UFC debut |
| Brian Ortega | Submission (Arm-Triangle) | Loss | R3 0:58 | UFC Fight Night 237 | Feb 24, 2024 | Title contention stalled |
| Alexander Volkanovski | TKO (Punches) | Loss | R3 4:19 | UFC 290 | July 8, 2023 | Undisputed Title Fight |
| Josh Emmett | Submission (Triangle Choke) | Win | R2 4:19 | UFC 284 | Feb 12, 2023 | Won Interim Title; Perf. Bonus |
| Brian Ortega | TKO (Shoulder Injury) | Win | R1 4:11 | UFC on ABC 3 | July 16, 2022 | First-round submission |
| Max Holloway | Decision (Unanimous) | Loss | R5 5:00 | UFC Fight Night 197 | Nov 13, 2021 | Fight of the Night |
| Jeremy Stephens | Decision (Unanimous) | Win | R3 5:00 | UFC on ESPN 6 | Oct 18, 2019 | Fight of the Night |
| Jeremy Stephens | No Contest (Eye Poke) | NC | R1 0:15 | UFC Fight Night 159 | Sept 21, 2019 | Accidental foul |
| Chan Sung Jung | KO (Reverse Elbow) | Win | R5 4:59 | UFC Fight Night 139 | Nov 10, 2018 | Latest KO in UFC history; Perf. Bonus |
| Frankie Edgar | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | Loss | R2 5:00 | UFC 211 | May 13, 2017 | Eye injury forced stoppage |
| B.J. Penn | TKO (Punches) | Win | R2 0:24 | UFC Fight Night 103 | Jan 15, 2017 | Dominant performance |
| Alex Caceres | Decision (Split) | Win | R5 5:00 | UFC Fight Night 92 | Aug 6, 2016 | Fight of the Night |
| Andre Fili | KO (Head Kick) | Win | R2 2:15 | UFC 197 | April 23, 2016 | Performance Bonus |
| Dan Hooker | Decision (Unanimous) | Win | R3 5:00 | UFC 192 | Oct 3, 2015 | Solid victory |
| Charles Rosa | Decision (Split) | Win | R3 5:00 | UFC 188 | June 13, 2015 | First Fight of the Night |
| Leonardo Morales | Decision (Unanimous) | Win | R3 5:00 | UFC 180 | Nov 15, 2014 | TUF LATAM Tournament Victory |
FAQs
1. What is Yair Rodríguez’s Fighting Style?
Yair Rodríguez employs a unique striking-focused approach blending taekwondo, boxing, and kickboxing. He’s known for exceptional range management, unorthodox foot positioning, and explosive kicks that compensate for his height disadvantage against larger featherweights. His submission grappling has improved significantly, as evidenced by his interim title victory via triangle choke. Defensively, he relies on footwork and distance control rather than heavy guard usage. This hybrid style creates constant problems for opponents unfamiliar with his rhythm and timing.
2. How Much Has Yair Rodríguez Earned Throughout His MMA Career?
Rodriguez’s disclosed UFC earnings total approximately $2.6 million since his 2014 debut. However, his total career earnings likely exceed $3.5-4 million when accounting for undisclosed locker room bonuses, sponsorship deals with Toyota, Monster Energy, and Reebok, backend pay-per-view revenue sharing, and earnings from pre-UFC Mexican promotions. His highest-earning fight was the July 2023 title opportunity against Volkanovski at $1.03 million, demonstrating the financial disparity between championship-level and regular main-card bouts.
3. Is Yair Rodríguez Married or Dating Anyone?
As of 2025, Yair Rodríguez is reportedly single and has maintained a notoriously private personal life. In a 2017 TMZ interview, he stated he had no girlfriend and dedicated his entire existence to fighting. While rumors circulated around 2019 suggesting a relationship with fellow UFC fighter Alexa Grasso, neither party has ever publicly confirmed such claims. Rodriguez prioritizes his career and family over public romantic relationships, living a deliberately low-profile domestic life in Huatabampo, Sonora.
4. What Is Yair Rodríguez’s Height and Weight?
Yair Rodríguez stands 5’11” (180.34 centimeters) tall and competes at featherweight, with an official fighting weight of approximately 145 pounds (65.77 kilograms). His height provides a physical advantage over many featherweight competitors, who typically range from 5’6″ to 5’9″, allowing him to leverage his reach in striking exchanges. This physical profile matches his striking-heavy fighting style, which emphasizes distance management and range-based kicking attacks.
5. How Many Children Does Yair Rodríguez Have?
Details about Rodriguez’s children remain undisclosed and not officially confirmed through UFC or verified media sources. While some social media references suggest he may have multiple children, Rodriguez maintains strict privacy regarding his family life. He has never publicly discussed paternity, child custody, or family obligations in interviews, maintaining a wall between his professional fighting identity and personal domestic matters.
6. What Sponsorships and Endorsements Does Yair Rodríguez Have?
Rodriguez’s primary endorsement portfolio includes Toyota (primary sponsor), Monster Energy (official UFC energy drink partner), Reebok (UFC official apparel partner through standard fighter agreements), and Manscaped (grooming brand collaborations). These partnerships generate supplementary income beyond fight purses through appearance fees, social media promotions, and promotional event participation. His large Instagram following (757K+ followers) makes him attractive for brand collaborations targeting Latin American markets, particularly among sports enthusiasts and MMA fans.
7. What Happened at UFC 290 Between Rodríguez and Volkanovski?
At UFC 290 on July 8, 2023, in Las Vegas, Rodriguez challenged undisputed featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski for the consolidated 145-pound title after winning the interim championship. The fight ended via third-round TKO when Volkanovski’s superior wrestling, clinch control, and ground-and-pound overwhelmed Rodriguez. Despite Rodriguez’s striking advantages in clean striking exchanges, Volkanovski’s championship experience, cardio management, and ability to impose his will in grappling sequences proved decisive. The loss cost Rodriguez a historic title opportunity but established him as a legitimate championship contender.
8. What Are Yair Rodríguez’s Greatest Achievements in MMA?
Rodriguez’s career highlights include winning the UFC Interim Featherweight Championship (2023) via submission over Josh Emmett, recording the latest knockout in UFC history (4:59 of round five) against Chan Sung Jung in 2018, winning The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America tournament (2014), earning five Fight of the Night bonuses and four Performance of the Night bonuses (totaling 9 post-fight bonuses, tied for third-most in UFC featherweight history), and establishing himself as Mexico’s premier UFC representative. His recent victory over Patricio Pitbull in April 2025 positioned him for another title opportunity.
9. Why Is Yair Rodríguez Called “El Pantera”?
The nickname “El Pantera” (The Panther in Spanish) reflects Rodriguez’s striking style, aggression, and predatory fighting approach. Panthers exemplify explosive athleticism, intelligent distance control, and lethal striking capability—qualities that define Rodriguez’s in-cage persona. The name carries cultural significance in Mexican fighting traditions and resonates with his Latin American fanbase. It distinguishes his professional fighting identity while honoring his Mexican heritage and providing marketability for Latin American sponsorships and fan engagement.
10. What Is Yair Rodríguez’s Next Fight and Championship Prospects?
Following his April 2025 victory over Patricio Pitbull at UFC 314, Rodriguez targeted a title shot against the winner of the main event between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. He has expressed strong interest in defending or competing for the featherweight championship at the upcoming Noche UFC event in Guadalajara, Mexico (scheduled for September 2025), which would create an historic double-header with Brandon Moreno’s potential title fight. A successful performance against elite-tier competition remains necessary to overcome recent losses to championship-caliber opponents and reclaim serious title consideration.