Brian Ortega or Yair Rodriguez – Who’s got the strongest case for a title shot?

Yair Rodriguez, Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega. Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports and via Instagram (@panteraufc) (@briantcity)

On Saturday, top ranked featherweights Brian “T-City” Ortega and Yair “El Pantera” Rodriguez will clash in the UFC on ABC 3 main event. The winner could very well face dominant champion Alexander Volkanovski next.

“El Pantera” recently claimed that he has been promised a title shot if he beats Ortega.

“Yes, that has been said to me,” Rodriguez said on The MMA Hour. “That’s what we’re looking for. First things first, I’m going to win this fight and then give the champ some time to heal and then go for it. Right now let’s just take it step-by-step. First things first is Brian Ortega.”

Rodriguez has a record of 13-3 and is currently ranked No. 3 in the featherweight division. His most notable wins comes against Jeremy Stephens, Korean Zombie and Dan Hooker. The Mexican striker is coming from a unanimous decision loss to Max Holloway in November last year.

Read more: Latest UFC rankings: Rafael Fiziev breaks into top 10 with massive KO-win

Brian Ortega: “I’m just a deadly opponent for him”

No. 2 ranked Brian Ortega fought and lost to Volkanovski in September last year. The champion dominated large parts of the bout but Ortega was very close to finish the fight in the third round, when he dropped Volkanovski and secured a deep guillotine choke. However, the Australian miraculously escaped the dangerous choke.

“I just put him in the most danger and people noticed that, people saw. I’m just a deadly opponent for him,” Ortega said to Inside Fighting. “Obviously I’m always gonna train to win, to fight this guy and beat this guy. I believe I have the tools and capabilities to do so if I play my cards right. So it’s all about seeing how I can play my cards right and going in there and finishing this man.”

“T-city” has has a record of 13-3 and is currently ranked No. 2 in the featherweight division. His most notable wins comes against top fighters like Frankie Edgar, Cub Swanson and Korean Zombie.

Read more: UFC champion Jiri Prochazka made up his made: This is the fight he wants next

Subscribe to Frontkick.online on YouTube for the best MMA videos in Scandinavia, and make sure to follow us on Twitter for the latest news and updates!