5 title eliminator fights to book in the UFC
![Brain Ortega (left) and Yair Rodriguez (right) [Image via @needingart on Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/05/272fb-16521805978165-1920.jpg?w=500)
The landscape in the UFC is ever-changing. The promotion's matchmakers play a crucial role in ensuring that the narrative and pecking order is constantly evolving to keep things fresh atop every division.
At a recently concluded UFC Fight Night, top-ranked light heavyweights Jan Blachowicz and Aleksandar Rakic squared off in a title eliminator bout. With the 205-pound strap set to be contested at UFC 275 next month, Blachowicz likely sealed his place in the next divisional title fight with his win over Rakic.
One step closer for @JanBlachowicz! #UFCVegas54 https://t.co/5tKqRe6XjT
Other notable No.1 contender fights on the horizon are Sean Strickland vs. Alex Pereira and Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk 2. Interim title fights serve a somewhat similar purpose, with the rumored Stipe Miocic vs. Jon Jones and Brandon Moreno vs. Kai Kara-France 2 bouts set to determine the next challengers for undisputed gold as well.
However, for the purpose of this article, we won't be considering interim championship bouts. With that said, here are five title eliminator fights to book in the UFC right now.
#5. Brian Ortega vs. Yair Rodriguez – UFC featherweight bout
Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway have cleaned out the top five in the featherweight division. Volkanovski has wins over No.2-ranked Brian Ortega and No.5-ranked Chan Sung Jung, while Holloway has beaten No.3-ranked Yair Rodriguez and No.4-ranked Calvin Kattar in addition to a win over Ortega as well.
The featherweight title will be contested at UFC 276 in July, where Holloway and Volkanovski will square off for the third time.
If Alexander Volkanovski emerges victorious, he will be 3-0 against Max Holloway and won't have any fresh contenders on the horizon.
Calvin Kattar and Josh Emmett have already been booked to headline UFC Austin next month and could be vying for the No.1 contender slot. However, both fighters are still below top contenders Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez in the rankings.
Ortega has already made two attempts at the featherweight strap. The perennial contender came up short against then-champion Holloway back in 2018. At UFC 266 last year, he took an absolute beating at the hands of Volkanovski and will likely need a statement win to put himself back into title contention.
A fight against Rodriguez appears to be in the works for 'T-City'.
According to ESPN Deportes, Brian Ortega versus Yair Rodriguez is set to headline the UFC’s July 16th event. Bout will be contested at featherweight(145lbs). Location will be revealed at a later date.
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Although this booking hasn't been confirmed or announced by the promotion yet, it appears Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez will lock horns in the main event of the Fight Night on July 16th, just two weeks after the Volkanovski-Holloway trilogy bout.
The stylistic matchup is arguably the most explosive one that can be put together in the featherweight division. Both top-ranked contenders are tough as nails, as was evident in their latest outings. Additionally, they are nightmare matchups for one another, as Ortega has struggled against elite strikers and Rodriguez will likely avoid any grappling exchanges with 'T-City'.
With the UFC returning to regular arenas for Fight Night events on occasion, this is the ideal main event to headline a card in Mexico.