Belal Muhammad has publicly stated that Yair Rodriguez is set to move up to the lightweight division at 155 pounds. Rodriguez has previously competed at featherweight in the UFC.
Yair Rodriguez may be preparing to leave the featherweight division behind, according to an unconfirmed report stemming from comments made by welterweight contender Belal Muhammad, who publicly stated that Rodriguez is set to move up to lightweight at 155 pounds.
Rodriguez, known as "El Pantera," carries a 21-6-0 record and currently sits third in the UFC featherweight rankings. The 33-year-old Mexican fighter competes out of Valle Flow Striking and has built his reputation on dynamic, high-volume striking, landing 4.65 significant strikes per minute at a 46 percent accuracy rate. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 71-inch reach, he has long been considered one of the most exciting fighters in the 145-pound division.
The comments came from Muhammad, a 37-year-old American fighter ranked sixth at welterweight and eighth in the pound-for-pound rankings. Competing out of Roufusport, Muhammad holds a 24-5-0 record and is known primarily for his grappling-heavy style, averaging 2.14 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 4.43 significant strikes landed per minute. It is not immediately clear what context prompted his remarks about Rodriguez's divisional plans.
Why it matters
- Rodriguez moving to lightweight would shake up a loaded 155-pound division while thinning an already competitive featherweight top five.
- His high-output striking style — nearly five significant strikes per minute — would present a distinct challenge for any lightweight opponent.
- Because this report is unconfirmed, Rodriguez's camp and the UFC have not publicly verified the move, and it should be treated as a rumour until officially announced.
