Credit: Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC

Former UFC interim featherweight champ Yair Rodriguez’s long hiatus continues after he withdrew from the Noche UFC 4 main event.

Yair Rodriguez hasn’t fought in almost two years since defeating former Bellator champion Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire at UFC 314. Rodriguez, a former UFC interim featherweight champion, has dealt with injury issues during his hiatus, which have postponed his return to the Octagon.

Amidst a crowded UFC featherweight title picture, Rodriguez is one of the oft-forgotten contenders in the mix. He was briefly linked to a title rematch against Alexander Volkanovski following UFC 314, before negotiations fizzled out.

Excited fight fans learned of Rodriguez’s scheduled return to the Octagon earlier this summer at the upcoming Noche UFC 4 event against Jean Silva. But weeks before the event, Rodriguez has reportedly withdrawn due to undisclosed reasons.

Yair Rodriguez vs. Jean Silva canceled; Silva set to face DWCS alum at Noche UFC

As first reported by MMA Fighting, Rodriguez and his team informed the UFC of his intention to withdraw from Noche UFC 4, and he will be replaced by Dana White’s Contender Series alum Jose Delgado in the new main event booking.

Delgado will fight in his first career UFC main event booking after recent wins over Austin Bashi, Andre Fili, and Hyder Amil. He’s won back-to-back fights since a unanimous decision loss to Nathaniel Wood in October.

Delgado’s recent success in the featherweight division catapulted the talented prospect into the Top 15 (#14). Meanwhile, Silva returns after defeating Arnold Allen at UFC 324 earlier this year.

As of this writing, a timeline for Rodriguez’s return to the Octagon remains uncertain. Noche UFC 4 includes the return of Alexa Grasso, Brandon Moreno, and other top Mexican-born talents.

Noche UFC 4 will take place at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

What is your prediction for Jean Silva vs. Jose Delgado? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM