Daniel Rodriguez Bio
Daniel Rodriguez is an American mixed martial artist competing in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Born on December 31, 1986, Rodriguez began his professional MMA career in 2015 and has fought in several major promotions including Bellator, King of the Cage, and Combate Americas. As of November 18, 2025, he is ranked #15 in the UFC welterweight division.
Early Life and Background
Daniel Rodriguez was born and raised in Alhambra, California. He grew up in Los Angeles within a gang-affiliated family, experiencing a challenging environment that included frequent altercations and encounters with the jail system. Without a formal sports background, Rodriguez began training in boxing and later transitioned to mixed martial arts in his mid-twenties, marking a significant change in his life trajectory.
Path to MMA
Rodriguez started his amateur MMA career competing as a welterweight from late 2013 to 2015, compiling an undefeated 7–0 record. He then turned professional in 2015, primarily fighting in Combate Americas and making a single appearance in Bellator. After building an 8–1 professional record, he participated in Dana White’s Contender Series 22, winning by unanimous decision but not securing a UFC contract immediately. He subsequently won the Smash Global Welterweight Championship, which helped him earn a contract with the UFC.
Daniel Rodriguez Career
Early Career (2015–2019)
Daniel Rodriguez began his professional MMA career in 2015, quickly establishing himself with a strong record in regional promotions. His early fights were mainly in Combate Americas, where he demonstrated his skills and resilience. He also fought once in Bellator 170, gaining valuable experience against higher-level competition. His performances earned him a spot on Dana White’s Contender Series, although he did not immediately join the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Breakthrough (2020–Present)
Rodriguez made his UFC debut on February 15, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 167 as a late replacement against Tim Means. He won the fight via second-round submission, earning the Performance of the Night award. Throughout 2020 and 2021, Rodriguez secured several notable victories, including wins over Gabriel Green, Dwight Grant, Mike Perry, Preston Parsons, and Kevin Lee. His aggressive southpaw style and strong grappling skills became evident during this period.
In 2022 and 2023, Rodriguez faced mixed results, including a split decision win over Li Jingliang and losses to Nicolas Dalby, Neil Magny, and Ian Garry. He also experienced a six-month suspension in 2023 after testing positive for a banned substance. Returning to competition, Rodriguez moved between weight divisions, fighting at welterweight and middleweight, and continued to demonstrate his competitive spirit with wins over Alex Morono and Santiago Ponzinibbio in 2024 and 2025.
BMF Ranch and Syndicate MMA Era (Present)
Currently, Daniel Rodriguez trains with BMF Ranch and Syndicate MMA, having previously been associated with TapouT LA and The Yard Muay Thai. His training camps focus on refining his striking and grappling, contributing to his well-rounded fighting style. Rodriguez continues to compete actively in the UFC welterweight division, aiming to climb higher in the rankings.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Daniel Rodriguez fights from a southpaw stance, utilizing his reach advantage of 188 cm and height of 183 cm effectively. He combines striking power with solid grappling, holding a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His aggressive approach and ability to adapt during fights have earned him notable victories by submission, knockout, and decision.
Notable Events and Milestones
Rodriguez’s UFC debut submission win earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. He has competed across multiple weight divisions, showcasing versatility. Despite setbacks including injuries and a suspension, Rodriguez has maintained a competitive presence in the UFC welterweight rankings.
Daniel Rodriguez Career Wins
Daniel Rodriguez has accumulated a professional MMA record of 20 wins and 5 losses. His victories include 1 knockout, 1 submission, and 3 decision wins, highlighting his ability to finish fights as well as outlast opponents.
UFC Highlights
Rodriguez’s UFC career features several key wins, including his debut submission victory over Tim Means and a technical knockout against Santiago Ponzinibbio in 2025. He has earned performance bonuses and consistently faced top contenders in the welterweight division.
Other Wins and Performances
Before joining the UFC, Rodriguez won the Smash Global Welterweight Championship and compiled an impressive record in Combate Americas and other regional promotions. His early success laid the foundation for his UFC opportunities.
Daniel Rodriguez Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Daniel Rodriguez’s family background are limited, but it is known that he grew up in a challenging environment in Los Angeles with gang affiliations influencing his early life.
Personal Life
Rodriguez resides in Alhambra, California. There is no publicly available information about his marital status or children.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Daniel Rodriguez continued to compete actively in the UFC, securing a technical knockout win against Santiago Ponzinibbio and a unanimous decision victory over Kevin Holland. Despite facing tough competition, Rodriguez demonstrated resilience and skill, maintaining his position within the welterweight rankings. His training with BMF Ranch and Syndicate MMA has contributed to his ongoing development as a fighter. Looking ahead, Rodriguez aims to build momentum and improve his standing in the division.