Rodriguez: I did not refuse to face Zabit, but I needed more money

Mexican MMA fighter Yair Rodriguez commented on the dismissal from the UFC. Earlier, the president of the organization, Dana White, announced that he was canceling the contract with the 25-year-old athlete after his refusal to fight Ricardo Lamas and Zabit Magomedsharipov.

"I wanted to fight Zabit. For me it was very meaningful to meet him because of the stylistic component. I wanted my contract to be revised. We negotiated and we insisted on getting a bigger purse for a fight with him in Los Angeles. Last year, I stated that I want to fight the fighters from the top ten, but this is only a wish - I am ready to meet with anyone.

“I felt that the fight with Zabit is a good option, but only if I get paid right. I understood how big this fight was, but they refused. Then I decided, if they do not want to pay, then let them organize a fight with Zabit in Russia. He called me to fight. I'm not someone who talks a lot, I'm used to acting," Rodriguez said.