Yair Rodriguez predicts eventual title-unification bout against Alexander Volkanovski

The newly crowned UFC interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez has weighed in on the title unification bout against Alexander Volkanovski.

After an impressive victory at UFC 284, 'El Pantera' made an appearance at the post-fight press conference. During his time there, the 30-year-old shared his thoughts on a possible showdown against 'The Great'.

Rodriguez praised Volkanovski's skills and stated that the fight will mostly be a striking affair.

"I think he's quick. I think he's explosive and has pretty good wrestling and jiu-jitsu defense. So, I think the fight between him and I will stay standing up."

"So, it'll be like more of a striking fight and everything comes down to who does it better that day, who does better striking, who's able to maintain a strategy if it's working and you know, is able to adjust if it's not working. And you know, I can't say much about anything. It's just a matter of who does it better that day," said Yair Rodriguez.

Yair Rodriguez went up against Josh Emmett in the co-main event of UFC 284. 'El Pantera' put on a masterclass and submitted Emmett in the second round to win the fight.

Alexander Volkanovski headlined the same event in a lightweight title fight against Islam Makhachev. The two delivered a thrilling back-and-forth war to MMA fans around the world. In the end, Makhachev emerged victorious via unanimous decision.

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Alexander Volkanovski believes he won against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284

The UFC 284 main event left many wondering as to who was the rightful victor in the lightweight title fight. Despite Makhachev being declared the winner, several people, including Alexander Volkanovski himself, believed that instead of Dagestani, he should have gotten his hand raised after the 25-minute fight.

Volkanovski posted a tweet saying that he had watched the fight and believed he had won the second, third and fifth round of the contest.

"Just watched the fight, I definitely think I won 2,3 and 5. Surprised I didn’t get my hand raised! Let’s do the rematch, anywhere, anytime!"

Makhachev also chimed in on the issue, saying that according to him, the Australian won only one minute of the entire 25-minute contest.