Yair Rodriguez is set to return to the Octagon next month, ending a 20-month absence from the UFC.

The former interim featherweight champion hasn’t fought since outpointing Patricio Pitbull at UFC 314 in April 2025.

‘El Pantera’ was supposed to headline Noche UFC in September, but an injury forced him out of his fight with Jean Silva.

Jose Delgado stepped in to face Silva on short notice.

Do you think Charles Oliveira will become the first fighter to submit Diego Lopes?🤔

Oliveira holds the record for the most submission wins in UFC history with 17.

Steve Garcia announces Yair Rodriguez fight

The UFC has yet to officially announce Yair Rodriguez’s return at UFC 335.

However, featherweight contender Steve Garcia claims they will fight at the December 12 event.

“We locking in for another one before the end of the year,” Garcia wrote on Instagram alongside a promotional poster.

“El Pantera vs Mean Machine⚔️ this is must see tv.”

Garcia will be looking to bounce back after his seven-fight winning streak was snapped by Diego Lopes at the UFC’s White House event in June.

Lopes, who is set to headline UFC 335 against Charles Oliveira, knocked Garcia out in the second round.

Who else is fighting at UFC 335?

UFC 335 is shaping up to be one of the promotion’s biggest events of the year.

Alex Pereira will face Sergei Pavlovich in the co-main event, while former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno also makes an appearance on the undercard.