Yair Rodriguez Cut By UFC For Turning Down Fight Against Zabit Magomedsharipov

The @latimes has learned that Yair Rodriguez has been cut from by the UFC for refusing to take the Aug. 4 Staples Center PPV fight against Zabit Magomedsharipov.

— Lance Pugmire (@latimespugmire) May 11, 2018

Real News

— Dana White (@danawhite) May 11, 2018

Featherweight contender Yair Rodriguez was officially cut by the Ultimate Fighting Championship for refusing to take a fight against Zabit Magomedsharipov, according to a report by Los Angeles Times’ Lance Pugmire.

Rumors about the tilt circled the internet in recent days, with news that the featherweights would collide at UFC 227. Rodriguez, however, replied to the rumors by saying they were “fake news.”

Rodriguez has been inactive since suffering a horrific beating at the hands of Frankie Edgar. The now former UFC fighter once pieced together six straight victories in his UFC tenure, including a stunning win against former two-division champion B.J. Penn.

Told by @danawhite that if a fighter like Rodriguez turns down both Ricardo Lamas and Magomedsharipov, in what should have been a compelling battle, after taking a year off, he can take his act elsewhere.

— Lance Pugmire (@latimespugmire) May 11, 2018