UFC 335 added a serious featherweight banger to its December 12 card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Steve Garcia and Yair Rodriguez are set to clash for three rounds, a fight that Russian Dvoyechka MMA first reported and Garcia himself teased on Instagram, even though the UFC hasn’t made it official yet. This bout pits two contenders with some real questions hovering over their recent performances, making it a must-watch collision.
Garcia Needs to Rebound After Brutal TKO
Garcia, with a 19-6 MMA record and 8-3 in the UFC, is stepping back into the octagon looking for a massive bounce-back win. His last outing at UFC Freedom 250 in June ended in a tough second-round TKO loss to Diego Lopes. That defeat was huge, not just because it was a TKO, but because it snapped an impressive seven-fight winning streak. Seven fights, gone just like that. You know he’s gotta be itching to prove that was just a blip, a bad night. Stepping in against a guy like Rodriguez is no easy task after a loss like that, it’s a true test of mental toughness and where he stands in the division.
Rodriguez Returns After Long Layoff and September Withdrawal
On the other side, Yair Rodriguez (20-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) is finally getting back to action after a significant layoff. We haven’t seen him compete since April 2025, when he secured a big win over Patricio Freire. That victory was critical for him, snapping a two-fight losing skid. The momentum from that win has been sitting idle for well over a year now, and even more concerning, he was scheduled to fight Jean Silva in September but pulled out. What’s that about? Is he fully healthy? Is he ready to jump back into a high-stakes fight after all that time and a withdrawal? These are the kinds of questions that make this fight so compelling.
The Rest of the Stacked UFC 335 Card
This featherweight showdown is just one piece of what’s shaping up to be an insane UFC 335 card. Headlining the event, we’ve got Champ Charles Oliveira taking on Diego Lopes for the BMF title, which is going to be an absolute barnburner. Plus, Sergei Pavlovich clashes with Alex Pereira, Charles Johnson faces Brandon Moreno, Quentin Pasley battles Junior Tafa, and Chase Hooper goes up against Chris Padilla. Ronald Humphrey fights Nikolay Veretennikov, Roque Conceicao meets Nilson Rojas, Shanelle Dyer squares off with Angela Hill, Jacqueline Cavalcanti takes on Michelle Montague, and Damian Pinas is set to fight Baisangur Susurkaev. It’s a loaded night of fights, and Garcia vs. Rodriguez could steal the show with the storylines behind both guys.
UFC 335 is set for December 12. Both Garcia and Rodriguez have something to prove, making their three-round clash a pivotal moment for their respective careers. Can Garcia get back on track, or will Rodriguez capitalize on his opponent’s recent stumble after his long absence? You don’t want to miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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