The UFC is working on a featherweight matchup between Max Holloway and Yair Rodriguez for July, according to UFC president Dana White.
Contracts have not been signed, but the UFC is close to finalizing the 145-pound contest, sources told ESPN. Once official, it is expected to headline a UFC Fight Night event on July 17 at a location to be announced, sources said.
Holloway (22-6), a former UFC featherweight champion, is coming off arguably one of the greatest performances in UFC history in January. The 29-year-old landed a UFC record 445 total strikes in a five-round decision win over Calvin Kattar at the beginning of the year on Fight Island.
Fighting out of Waianae, Hawaii, Holloway is already considered in line for a 145-pound title shot, but the division is currently on a bit of a hold, as current champion Alexander Volkanovski is expected to face Brian Ortega at some point in the second half of 2021. With no title fight available, Holloway elected to remain active.
Rodriguez (13-2) has not fought since he earned a decision victory against Jeremy Stephens in October 2019. The 28-year-old was scheduled to fight last August, but withdrew due to injury.
Rodriguez, of Chihuahua, Mexico, is 8-1 in the UFC overall. His only loss came in 2017 to former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar.