{
  "id": 18456297,
  "title": "Yair Rodriguez to End Lengthy Layoff Against Steve Garcia at UFC 335",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/yair-rodriguez-to-end-lengthy-layoff-against-steve-garcia-at-ufc-335",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-06T06:47:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/yair-rodriguez-end-lengthy-layoff-064717642.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Yair Rodriguez, the former interim featherweight champion, is set to return to action at UFC 335 on December 12. He will face No. 14-ranked contender Steve Garcia in the T-Mobile Arena. Rodriguez, who was previously expected to headline UFC Noche on September 12, has been sidelined due to an injury. His lengthy layoff has now extended to over 20 months, as he has only fought three times since July 2023 and holds a 1-2 record during that period. Garcia, meanwhile, aims to rebound from his knockout loss to Diego Lopes at UFC Freedom 250. Lopes, who is set to headline the card, had been on a seven-fight winning streak before his setback in June. Rodriguez has the chance to make a significant impact, while Garcia seeks to secure his biggest victory yet.",
  "summary": "After last competing at UFC 314 in April 2025, Yair Rodriguez will look to return to the Octagon against Steve Garcia for the first time in 20 months.",
  "key_points": [
    "Yair Rodriguez returns to UFC 335 on December 12.",
    "Steve Garcia aims to rebound from knockout loss.",
    "Rodriguez's layoff exceeds 20 months."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Rodriguez faces a critical opportunity to stabilize a declining recent record while Garcia seeks to erase the momentum lost from his recent knockout defeat.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}