Daniel Rodriguez
Record: 9-1
Age: 32
Weight class: Light heavyweight
Height: 6’3″
Birthplace: California
Next Fight: Dec. 19 vs. TBA at Smash Global 9 in Los Angeles
Background: This past summer, [autotag]Daniel Rodriguez[/autotag] was victorious on Season 2 of Dana White’s Contender Series. Despite handily winning a three-round unanimous decision against Rico Farrington, Rodriguez wasn’t offered a UFC contract.
A winner of his most recent five bouts, Rodriguez has competed for numerous promotions including Combate Americas, Bellator, and KOTC. Out of his nine career victories, eight have come inside the distance. Training out of Donald Cerrone’s Ranch, Rodriguez plans on serving as one of “Cowboy’s” training partners ahead of his UFC 246 bout against Conor McGregor.
The Skinny: Gritty. Seasoned. Well-rounded. Rodriguez is a talent and is ready for the big show right now. While his DWCS performance wasn’t his most flashy, it’s tough to paint all matchups with same brush – especially considering he went against such an awkward matchup: a lengthy counterpuncher.
Like so many other DWCS winners who don’t earn immediate deals, Rodriguez is presumably on the UFC’s radar. According to Rodriguez, he’s stayed in close contact with the promotion and believes another win or two will secure his spot on the UFC’s roster. It’s hard to argue against that, especially when UFC president Dana White specifically mentioned Rodriguez in his August sitdown interview with Laura Sanko.
In his own words: “(DWCS) was one of those things where I felt like I won, but at the same time, I felt like I lost. I had a feeling I wasn’t going to get signed… I knew once the bell rang and I didn’t finish him – I had a feeling I wasn’t going to get signed. But I know Contender Series that’s what they’re looking for. They’re looking for crazy finishes or extremely dominant performances.
“I bring excitement. I’ve got an in-your-face pace. I love striking. Going into the Contender Series, I had a 100 percent finish rate – TKOs, KOs, submissions. I think my fights are really exciting. I feel like I have a lot more to prove to myself.”
“Me and my coach, we’ve had talks with the (UFC) matchmakers. We told them that I want to stay busy. Asked if I would be able to have an opportunity. The matchmakers responded with ‘Yeah, go ahead and take fights. We’ll keep you in mind.’ As of now, they’re booked up until March or April. So I’m trying to fight at least two more times before that date comes – before I come knocking on the door again.