'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
UFC on ESPN+ 17 was one of the biggest events for Yair Rodriguez in quite some time. After having been out of action for 10 months, Rodriguez finally made his return to the Octagon for the first time since UFC Denver.
At the Denver pay-per-view, Yair Rodriguez had one of the most impressive fights in his entire career. During the course of the bout, there was not a single point where he had slowed down, instead, fighting and battering 'The Korean Zombie' for the entire fight.
Both fighters put on a good show, but it was in the last second of the last round that things truly changed for Rodriguez. As Chan Sung Jung desperately lunged forward looking to take advantage of an opening that Rodriguez had apparently left in his defense, Rodriguez ducked down, let Jung get over him, and threw his elbow upwards, hitting him on the jaw and knocking him out at the literal last second.
At UFC Mexico, unfortunately, it was not to be. Seconds into the first round, he accidentally poked Jeremy Stephens in the eye. Stephens was unable to continue, and as a result, after 5 minutes were up, the fight was called a No Contest.
With Rodriguez being ready, he could face another fighter any time.
Now, with that fight not having taken place, here are 5 fighters that Yair Rodriguez could face next.
#5 Zabit Magomedsharipov
A fight that a lot of people have been waiting for is the fight between Yair Rodriguez and Zabit Magomedsharipov. The Russian fighter is yet to lose a single fight since joining UFC.
The reason Zabit is not higher up the list is simple. He is already scheduled to face Calvin Kattar soon, so he would not be available to face Yair Rodriguez next.
However, even if he does not face Zabit next, Rodriguez and Zabit might end up facing each in the immediate future.
#4 Jose Aldo
Currently ranked as the #2 UFC Featherweight, although it had appeared that Aldo was about to retire from UFC once and for all, now it's clear he won't. He recently signed a new 8-fight contract with the company which allows Aldo to remain and fight.
After having lost his last fight against Alexander Volkanovski, the last thing that Jose Aldo will want is to lose a fight and he has a lot left to prove. Fighting and defeating Yair Rodriguez would see this come true, so in the coming weeks, we may see that the agreement for a fight between the two of them has been reached.
#3 'The Korean Zombie' Chan Sung Jung
If there was ever one fighter who would want revenge against Yair Rodriguez, it's The Korean Zombie. After being knocked out in the way that he was at UFC Denver, Jung has already returned to action and defeated his opponent.
Now, a rematch would be exactly what he needs to help him get back all the momentum that he lost after his last-second knockout defeat against Yair Rodriguez.
With Rodriguez obviously ready to go, this fight might take place sooner rather than later.
#2 Frankie Edgar
Frankie Edgar is one of the top names in the UFC Featherweight Division. He almost became the Champion recently in his battle against Max Holloway, but he failed to do so.
After suffering that loss, he needs something that will help him get back to his former standing. Fighting someone as capable as Yair Rodriguez will help him to do exactly that if the two were to come face-to-face with each other.
Neither man is known for backing down, so the fight would be quite exciting as well, with a lot to gain for both fighters.
#1 Jeremy Stephens
Often there are some fights that happen, and the fans immediately know, that a rematch has to take place.
The same can be said for when a fight almost happens.
The fight between Jeremy Stephens and Yair Rodriguez was one that the fans were looking forward to for some time now. Given that the fight did not even take place, there is a chance that when they finally face each other, the two fighters will be able to put on a better display the next time.
It is also a fight that both men would want having mentally prepared themselves for so long to face each other.
Follow Sportskeeda Wrestling and Sportskeeda MMA on Twitter for all the latest news. Do not miss out!
