SportsRecap
No. 13 Minnesota Eliminates No. 4 UCLA To Join Oklahoma In Final Four
Minnesota takes down UCLA to join Oklahoma in NCAA Gymnastics Final Four!
Yahoo Sports1 min read
Sports
Daniel Rodriguez goes from Mexican jail to top ten opponent at UFC 329
TL;DR
UFC welterweight Daniel Rodriguez was recently released from a Mexican jail after an eight-month ordeal stemming from an accidental border crossing with marijuana. He had previously been on a three-fight win streak before his disappearance.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 19: Daniel Rodriguez of the United States strikes Kevin Holland of the United States on the mat during their welterweight bout during UFC 318: Holloway vs Poirier 3 at the Smoothie King Center on July 19, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s been a tough time for UFC welterweight Daniel Rodriguez, who went from an impressive three fight win streak over 2024-2025 to … an eight month stint in a Mexican jail?!
“D-Rod” dropped off the face of the earth after beating Kevin Holland at UFC 318 in July 2025. Rumors and even jokes were made that he’d been arrested and was cooling his heels in a Mexican jail. Then months went by and the jokes stopped being funny. Something serious was going on with Rodriguez, who finally managed to secure his release and cross back over into the United States last week.
According to Rodriguez, he accidentally crossed the border into Mexico with an ounce of weed in his car. He and a passenger were both arrested and charged with serious crimes.
“They tried to throw the book at me,” Rodriguez told TMZ Sports in a new interview. “They were trying to get me with a smuggling charge. That’s a felony. Luckily I had a great legal team. I essentially ended up doing eight months, I wish it hadn’t been so long … but I’m here now.”
Rodriguez won’t wait too long before getting back in the cage. According to the No. 14 ranked welterweight, the UFC has already offered him Leon Edwards at UFC 329 in July.
“I’m probably looking at International Fight Week, and I got an offer, an amazing offer,” Rodriguez said. “So you guys will probably see me in there with Leon Edwards at International Fight Week, sometime around July. [The offer came] just today, man.”
“Thinking about it, I’m making the decision right now. I’m accepting the offer for Leon Edwards at International Fight Week.”
That’s three months Rodriguez is taking to go from prison shape to Octagon shape to fight the No. 8 ranked former welterweight champion. It’s a big fight but also a tricky one. Leon Edwards didn’t manage to go on a 12 fight win streak because he couldn’t handle tough brawlers like “D-Rod.” On the other hand, “Rocky” is currently on a three fight losing slump, and many question whether he’s still got his head in the game.
We’re sure after his near career and life altering experience in the Mexican slammer, Rodriguez isn’t taking anything for granted.
Q&A
What led to Daniel Rodriguez's arrest in Mexico?
Daniel Rodriguez was arrested after accidentally crossing the border into Mexico with an ounce of marijuana in his car.
How long was Daniel Rodriguez in a Mexican jail?
Daniel Rodriguez spent eight months in a Mexican jail before securing his release.
What was Daniel Rodriguez's status in the UFC before his arrest?
Before his arrest, Daniel Rodriguez was on a three-fight win streak and had recently defeated Kevin Holland at UFC 318.