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Rodriguez to Face Garcia at UFC 335 in December

The bout takes place December 12 at T-Mobile Arena, with Rodriguez returning after roughly 20 months away.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts

Expressive editorial sports illustration of two gestural fighters trading strikes in a cage under warm amber and cool blue arena lights.
UFC featherweight Yair Rodriguez will face Steve Garcia at UFC 335 on December 12 at T-Mobile Arena, Rodriguez's first fight in roughly 20 months. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Las Vegas fight fans will get a marquee featherweight bout when Yair Rodriguez faces Steve Garcia at UFC 335 inside T-Mobile Arena on December 12, 2026.

Why it matters

For valley residents, UFC 335 means another big T-Mobile Arena weekend with the crowds, traffic and hotel demand that come with it, and it puts a former interim champion back in the cage after roughly 20 months away. Garcia, ranked No. 14 at featherweight, is coming off a loss in June, so a win would reshape his standing in the division.

Rodriguez enters with a 21-5, 1 NC record and about 20 months out of competition, while Garcia brings a 19-6 record and the No. 14 featherweight ranking, with four Performance of the Night bonuses. The stub does not address how either fighter's layoff or recent losses will affect the outcome.

The players

Yair Rodriguez

Former UFC interim featherweight champion from Mexico, returning to the cage after about 20 months out of competition.

Steve Garcia

UFC featherweight ranked No. 14, seeking to rebound from a June knockout loss to Diego Lopes.

The details

UFC 335 will take place at T-Mobile Arena on December 12, 2026, with Yair Rodriguez facing Steve Garcia in a featherweight matchup. Garcia confirmed the bout on Instagram. Rodriguez, a former UFC interim featherweight champion, was originally set to face Jean Silva at Noche UFC in September but withdrew with an injury; his last win came by unanimous decision over Patricio Pitbull at UFC 314 in April 2025.

Timeline

  1. April 2025: Rodriguez wins by unanimous decision over Patricio Pitbull at UFC 314.

  2. June: Diego Lopes knocks out Garcia in the second round at UFC Freedom 250, ending his seven-fight winning streak.

  3. September: Rodriguez's scheduled Noche UFC bout against Jean Silva is withdrawn due to injury.

  4. December 12, 2026: Rodriguez and Garcia meet at UFC 335 inside T-Mobile Arena.

Beyond the Strip

Rodriguez's last completed fight was his April 2025 decision win over Patricio Pitbull at UFC 314, and this matchup picks up that thread after an injury-related withdrawal. Garcia's June loss to Lopes followed a seven-fight winning streak, so a win here would put him back on a path toward the division's top ranks.

If you plan to attend or watch from a Strip-adjacent spot, expect heavier foot and road traffic around T-Mobile Arena on the night of December 12, so build in extra time. Fight-night parking and rideshare pickup areas near the arena are typically busier during major cards, so plan your arrival accordingly.

The takeaway

Rodriguez's return after about 20 months and Garcia's bid to recover from his June loss make this a bout worth tracking on the December 12 card. Watch the official UFC event listing for the final card and any updates on the matchup as the date approaches.

What happens next

UFC 335 takes place at T-Mobile Arena on December 12, 2026, and the matchup is 37 days away from the date this story was written.

Further reading

Explore more Mixed Martial Arts coverage from around the valley.