Yair Rodriguez releases statement, explains Noche UFC withdrawal

News broke on Wednesday that featherweight contender Yair Rodriguez was out of the Noche UFC 4 main event against Jean Silva on Sept. 12. The reason why was unknown until now.

Rodriguez (20-5, 1 NC) released a statement on Thursday via social media revealing the reason he was forced to withdrawal from the annual event commemorating Mexico’s independence day.

“I got injured. I tried to continue with my training, but in the end, I wasn’t responsible enough to compete in these conditions,” Rodriguez wrote on Instagram. “I wanted this fight and I know many of you did too. Now my job is to fully recover and come back prepared to compete at the level you expect from me and that I expect from myself. Thanks to those who continue supporting me. See you soon.”

Rodriguez last competed in April 2025, defeating Patricio Freire at UFC 314 via unanimous decision. He’s been largely inactive in recent years fighting once in 2025 and once in 2024. He was replaced by Arizona native and rising star Jose Delgado.