For Yair Rodriguez, the goal is set for 2024. He has his eyes set on the UFC Featherweight title, and if Ilia Topuria is the holder of it, he won’t mind knocking his head off to get it.

Rodriguez is all set for his return to the octagon on February 24, in a rematch with the returning Brian Ortega at UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs Royval 2. The 31-year-old last fought Alexander Volkanovski in a unification bout for the Featherweight title in July 2023.

Since then, the landscape of the division changed when Topuria defeated the Aussie to become the new champion.

Ortega has been inactive for more than a year and it places Rodriguez as the favourite for the bout. However, the Mexican isn’t someone ready to go buy the bets.

In their first bout, he was the underdog against Ortega, but emerged with the win. Speaking to Indiatoday.in, the Mexican said he doesn’t care about the numbers or being the favourite and feels great coming into the fight.

He also had some good words for his opponent and said he was prepared for the fight.

“Yeah. I don’t I don’t really look into, like, the bets. If I’m a favourite or not. I never put attention to that, because at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. You know, That’s just numbers. I feel great coming into this fight. I know Brian Ortega is a great opponent for me. He’s a really good guy and I like him. I like him as a human being, you know? I know he’s a tough athlete, but I’m prepared for anything for this fight,” said Rodriguez.

Performing in front of his home country is also something Rodriguez is unfazed by. The 31-year-old was clear that he doesn’t view it as any sort of extra pressure on him and is just focused on his stuff before the fight.

“I don’t really feel like (pressure), No. But I’m telling you, I don’t put attention to any of that. Like, I don’t really look into any of that. Like my my only focus is training, making weight, feeling good every single day. And that’s it. And the rest is like, it doesn’t exist for me,” said Rodriguez.

Will face Topuria with the intent to take his head off: Rodriguez

Speaking about a future match with the current champion Topuria, Rodriguez was clear about what he felt about the Spaniard. He said he doesn’t like Topuria and a future fight between them would see him looking to knock the 27-year-old’s head off.

“I mean, first thing. Win against Ortega and then I can start talking about what’s the what’s next, right? But with everything we have been talking about, Topuria, I think it’s a good fight to make. It’s a great matchup to make, and I honestly don’t really like the guy. So, you know, I’ll go with that fight with, like, really intent on taking his head off,” said Rodriguez.

Rumors suggest Topuria could next defend his title in Spain and at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid. However, Rodriguez doesn’t care about the location and is ready to fight for the strap anywhere.

“I don’t really look into places for me. A street is good. A backyard is good. A soccer field is good, like I don’t care. You know, for me, any anywhere is good. Right now in this specific, uh, occasion fighting in front of my Mexican crowd makes this event really special.”

“I mean, my goal is on the title. You know, regardless of who is in there. Right now, Topuria has the title. I don’t like Topuria, and that just makes it perfect, you know? And, but yeah, whoever. If it’s not Topuria, whoever has the title at the moment, that’s what I’m aiming for right now,” said Rodriguez.

Watch UFC Fight Night – Moreno vs. Royval on 25th February 2024 from 8:30 AM IST onwards LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (Tamil & Telugu).