Yair Rodriguez vs Brian Ortega Picks and Prediction – 2/25/2024

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Former featherweight title challengers Yair “El Pantera” Rodriguez and Brian “T-City” Ortega will face for the second time as the UFC heads to Mexico City on Saturday, Feb. 24. Rodriguez is ranked third in the division, and Ortega is ranked fourth. Check out our prediction for the fight below, and get ready for everything UFC with our UFC Picks.

Rodriguez was awarded a technical knockout victory over Ortega in July 2022 after the bout ended when Ortega could not continue after injuring his shoulder at 4:11 of the first round. Ortega suffered the injury taking down Rodriguez as he tried to pull away from an armbar attempt by his opponent. Ortega had surgery on the same shoulder in 2016.

Rodriguez, 31, is 19-4 with one no contest. He has eight wins by KO/TKO and five by submission. Three of his four losses were by KO/TKO, and the other was by decision. Rodriguez lands 4.63 significant strikes per minute and takes 4.07 per minute. He averages 0.73 takedowns per 15 minutes while finishing just 28% of his attempts. He defends 59% of takedowns attempted by his opponents.

Ortega, 32, is 15-3 with one no contest. He has three wins by KO/TKO and seven by submission. Two of his three losses were by KO/TKO, and the other was by decision. Ortega lands 4.19 significant strikes per minute but absorbs 6.66. He lands just 23% of his take takedown attempts and averages 0.95 per 15 minutes. His takedown defense is at 56%.