JRE MMA Show #180 with Daniel Rodriguez
In a Nutshell
Daniel Rodriguez was arrested in Mexico for possessing 28g of weed, spent eight months in a Tijuana jail with cartel members, and trained daily despite severe malnutrition from a junk-food diet. He lost significant muscle mass but maintained his fighting mindset through prior street and jail experience, ultimately securing release through a large payment and dual citizenship. Now ranked #15 at welterweight and headlining UFC Serbia on August 1st, Rodriguez is focused on making a championship run in his remaining years, viewing his incarceration as a pivotal test he overcame.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
Daniel Rodriguez was a top contender in the UFC welterweight division when he was arrested in Mexico following his win against Kevin Holland. He had been celebrating in San Diego and decided to go to Tijuana for the night. He had an ounce of weed (approximately 28 grams) in his car, which he had carried across the border numerous times without issues.
Rodriguez believed marijuana laws in Mexico were lenient, but discovered that possession is strictly prohibited for tourists and visitors despite being decriminalized for Mexican residents with personal limits up to 5 grams and up to 28 grams being decriminalized. He was pulled over at the border inspection where the weed was found in his backpack. Despite previous experiences where he could bribe his way out of situations with around $500, this time the Mexican authorities took him to jail.
Initially expecting to be released after the weekend, Rodriguez was told he would see a court date in a month. He ultimately spent eight months in jail. The authorities initially tried to give him six years for the offense. His management reached out to Hunter at the UFC, but they couldn't do anything to help.
Rodriguez learned how corrupt the Mexican judicial system is, with everyone trying to get paid. At the time of his arrest, the judicial system was going through an election with new judges who were not taking bribes and were trying to play by the book. This contributed to him being held longer than expected.
Rodriguez already knew Spanish before his arrest but became fluent during his time in jail. When he first went to court, a guard recognized him and asked for a picture while he was in handcuffs, which the other inmates found surreal.
Rodriguez had been in and out of jail constantly from ages 15 to 23. He was a gang member from LA living in the hood. However, being in a foreign country jail was a completely different experience.
Upon arrival, Rodriguez was placed in a processing area approximately the size of a small room with about 20 dudes sleeping on the floor. There were two dudes per bunk on three-level bunks. He spent the first 10 days there dealing with bug bites, possibly bed bugs, all over his body.
An inmate who had seen guards taking pictures with Rodriguez offered to help get him out of the processing area. Guards initially tried to charge Rodriguez $7,000 to move him to a better cell. The inmate who had been released and rearrested came back and arranged for Rodriguez to meet a cartel leader who ran the third floor of the second building.
The cartel leader showed Rodriguez around and offered to make him his cellmate for $3,000. The guards were trying to overcharge, but the cartel leader negotiated it down. Rodriguez was given a brand new Nike tracksuit and moved to the better tier the next day.
Rodriguez ended up becoming the cartel leader's cellmate and got the impression he was serving as protection when they went to the yard. The cartel leader had been arrested with 13 of his crew for dressing up as government officials or military personnel to raid dope houses. The cell had TVs, a PlayStation, and other amenities.
Rodriguez worked out with the guards to obtain boxing gloves and mitts. The cartel leader had boxing experience and knew how to hold pads. Rodriguez spent his time in what felt like a boxing fight camp. He created a makeshift double-end bag using balled-up plastic bags in a sock with a bungee cord, and made a heavy bag using a gallon of water wrapped in a bed mat hung from a pull-up bar in the cell.
The food was all junk food - chips, noodles, soda, water, and condiments with no protein whatsoever, only soy occasionally. Rodriguez was working out two to three hard workouts per day and got shredded, but became malnourished. When released, he was skinny with diminished muscle mass. He lost some weight but mostly lost muscle definition.
The cartel leader could have guards leave his door open, allowing them to walk around the tier. Rodriguez kept to himself, minding his own business to avoid trouble, which he learned from his previous jail experiences.
Rodriguez witnessed firsthand how the cartel operates with their hands in everything. There were 37 assassinations of political people during the last Mexican election. One hitman in the facility claimed to have killed around 30 cops. Mexico holds the Guinness World Record for missing persons.
Rodriguez trained some inmates, including a former military guy who was described as a machine and improved quickly. Rodriguez suggested he train at Inim Gym in Tijuana upon release.
Many fighters tried to help Rodriguez get released, including Yair Rodriguez and Brandon Moreno, who is from Tijuana. Eventually a hefty sum was paid to secure his release.
After his release, Rodriguez is headlining UFC Serbia on August 1st against Euros Medic - his first time fighting in Serbia.
Rodriguez started training MMA at age 25 specifically to be able to defend himself if he ever went to jail again. His previous jail experiences taught him to stay strong and in shape. He had no prior sports experience before starting MMA.
Rodriguez had been in approximately 200 street fights prior to starting MMA training, including his time in juvenile hall where he fought nearly every other day. He described this period as becoming enjoyable, often challenging larger individuals to fight simply because they appeared tough. This experience occurred with zero formal training.
Rodriguez discussed the extreme nature of fighting cellmates while incarcerated, noting the need to "sleep with one eye open" due to the constant threat. He shared that he stopped going to jail around age 23 after having children, which prompted him to leave gang life behind. Previously, he had viewed jail time as conferring respect and status within his community.
After having children, Rodriguez realized he needed to provide for human beings and actively sought any possible way to live a decent life. He held various jobs but lost several due to repeated incarcerations stemming from his knucklehead mentality. He described trying everything to change his circumstances.
Rodriguez's cousin invited him to watch fights at a barbecue after he got out of prison. The event featured Rampage Jackson defeating Forrest Griffin for the light heavyweight title. He immediately became obsessed with the sport, particularly drawn to Chuck Liddell because he saw similarities in their fighting styles. This was his first real exposure to MMA, though he had seen early UFC events with Tank Abbott without being captivated at the time.
Rodriguez grew up as a dedicated boxing fan, with most family functions centered around boxing events featuring fighters like Oscar De La Hoya, Mike Tyson, Manny Pacquiao, and Floyd Mayweather. He had some informal boxing experience in the hood, where he would organize fights among his friends using boxing gloves to toughen them up for potential street conflicts, emphasizing mutual protection and readiness.
Rodriguez's first gym was Tap Out in downtown LA, where he trained with Eddie Bravo. He was working construction on a high-rise in downtown LA at the time and would pass the gym daily, expressing interest to his mother but feeling nervous about entering. His girlfriend eventually gave him a gym membership as an anniversary gift, which prompted him to finally go in.
When Rodriguez first entered the gym, coaches noticed his raw talent and power from street fighting experience. Despite missing sessions due to his lingering knucklehead mentality of partying, coaches personally called him to ensure he showed up. Their recognition of his potential helped keep him engaged initially. He described falling in love with the training process.
A skinny, dorky-looking training partner convinced Rodriguez to try jiu-jitsu after Rodriguez had dismissed wrestling as "gay." The partner challenged him to a roll, and Rodriguez was quickly submitted via choke. This experience triggered his competitive nature, as he hated losing and returned daily determined to eventually beat his training partner. Rodriguez noted there are two types of people: those who quit after getting submitted and those who become obsessed with never experiencing it again.
Rodriguez emphasized that jiu-jitsu contains no lucky punches, making it particularly humbling when smaller practitioners dominate larger ones. He described his first competitive roll against a purple belt who was his size, only to be completely controlled, armbarred, and triangled. This experience made him realize how delusional he had been about his fighting knowledge.
Rodriguez acknowledged the disadvantage of beginning MMA training at age 25, noting that fighters like Jon Jones had already become UFC champions and defended titles multiple times by that age. Many competitors had been training in martial arts since childhood.
Rodriguez's extensive street fighting background provided a significant mental advantage. He appears notably calm and relaxed during fights, attributing this to having experienced far more dangerous situations where survival was uncertain. MMA fights feel relatively safe to him because referees can intervene, unlike street situations where death was a real possibility.
When stepping into the octagon, Rodriguez feels happy and grateful simply to be there with his freedom and life intact. Backstage before fights, he reflects on how far he has come from being fresh out of jail. He views his life story as cinematic and embraces the opportunity to live it fully.
Rodriguez is ranked number 15 while his upcoming opponent Euros Medic sits at number 13. He expressed surprise that rankings remained intact during his incarceration. The detention occurred in Mexico after weed possession, which is legal in California. He noted the irony of being detained for something decriminalized in his home state.
As part of his release process, Rodriguez obtained dual citizenship in Mexico, which provided legal advantages under Mexican law. He stated he has no intention of returning to Mexico anytime soon, particularly after releasing footage of his prison workouts, fearing potential retaliation.
Rodriguez confirmed that inmates had access to cell phones and used WhatsApp for encrypted communication with friends and lawyers. He sent workout footage to a trusted friend for safekeeping, planning to release it upon release. He noted that rumors circulated about his whereabouts, including claims he was backpacking in Peru, building wells in Rwanda, or that Kevin Holland had bailed him out.
The facility eventually installed Starlink, providing Wi-Fi access for a period. Guards periodically conducted inspections requiring inmates to hide contraband. By the fifth month, authorities cracked down significantly, removing extra food provisions. The standard prison diet consisted of five tortillas per meal, rice or beans, and a soup primarily containing potatoes and carrots with no meat.
Upon release, Rodriguez's first meal was a double western bacon cheeseburger from Carl's Jr., though he couldn't finish it due to his shrunken stomach capacity. He weighed approximately 180 pounds at release, down from his normal walking weight of 200 pounds, appearing malnourished with no muscle definition.
Rodriguez initially felt discouraged upon release, believing his career might be over due to being severely out of shape despite consistent jail workouts. The lack of proper nutrition had left him malnourished. He considered quitting but decided to trust the process and work his way back, viewing himself as a soldier capable of bouncing back.
It took nearly two months for Rodriguez to feel 100% recovered. His upcoming fight is scheduled for August 1st. He noted that his prior conditioning allowed for quicker recovery through muscle memory. Initially, he could only run one mile before exhaustion, but he tracked daily progress and embraced the improvement process.
Rodriguez expressed deep appreciation for his current opportunities, noting that incarceration made him value everything more. He recently signed a new six-fight contract with the UFC and is scheduled to main event. He views the situation as a blessing and is fully committed to the process.
Rodriguez believes that with a few spectacular results, he could realistically be fighting for the championship in four or five fights. He noted that anything can happen in MMA and questions why he couldn't be one of the inspirational comeback stories. He acknowledged the challenge of facing someone like Islam Makhachev, who has maintained discipline throughout his entire life without distractions.
At age 39, Rodriguez feels he has limited time remaining in his career. The eight months of incarceration represented valuable time stolen from him. He stated he is taking his training much more seriously now, recognizing he doesn't have much time left.
Rodriguez currently trains in Vegas at the PI at Extreme and Freestyle MMA. When in California, he trains at Classic Fight Team with Tanori and 10th Planet. He is currently based in Vegas.
Vegas is convenient because everything is close together. The city offers high-level training with many top gyms and facilities. The PI (Performance Institute) provides nutrition support, weight cutting assistance, meals, supplements, and ensures everything is safe for sport-approved use to avoid testing issues.
The PI has become hectic with power slap fighters and Zuffa boxing athletes also training there. Power slap fighters use the PI's power and strike gauge machine regularly. Boxing is considered a good crossover for MMA fighters and watching high-level boxers train improves technique and raises the overall gym level.
Vegas gyms mentioned include Extreme Couture, Syndicate, Robert Drysdale's facility, and 10th Planet for jiu-jitsu. One Kick Nick's gym and Floyd Mayweather's gyms are also located there along with high-level Muay Thai training. Nuani Gym run by Anthony and Cheeto was previously associated with One Kick Nick.
Rodriguez moved to Vegas after training at Cowboy's camp in 2020 and experiencing the PI amenities firsthand. He lived there for two years and continues going back and forth. The PI offers cold plunges, saunas, physical therapy, supplements, and prepared meals like steak and rice.
The UFC invested heavily in world-class facilities in Vegas to give fighters the best resources possible. Additional PI locations exist in Mexico and Singapore.
The White House lawn UFC event is viewed as a very American spectacle. Concerns include the outdoor setting for world title fights, with Ilia Topuria potentially defending his title in June in DC. Weather factors like heat, humidity, bugs, rain, and thunderstorms are major concerns for an outdoor card.
Rodriguez fought outdoors for Gata Americas in Arizona at night and also fought during the day at a fair in California where the mat became extremely hot and slippery.
Rodriguez's pro debut was for King of the Cage on an Indian reservation at Saboba Casino around 2017. Earlier events occurred when MMA was illegal in California but legal on reservations.
The "Wet and Wild" event took place in 2001 during a heavy rainstorm. Fighters slipped constantly on the wet canvas despite some wearing wrestling shoes. Officials wore ponchos and attempted to mop the cage between fights. Submissions were nearly impossible due to the soaked conditions.
Bug mitigation options include machines that attract and zap insects within a mile radius. DC's humid summer environment brings many gnats. Current forecast shows a high of 85 and low of 69 with isolated thunderstorms predicted for June 12th and 13th before the June 14th event.
Trump posted images of a drone army on the roof of the ballroom controlled by AI. Drone warfare footage from Ukraine shows drones dropping explosives on soldiers. Algorithms on social media platforms repeatedly recommend similar content once engagement begins.
Instagram algorithms have pushed content featuring schizophrenic individuals making conspiracy claims. One account features a woman claiming everyone including Rosa Parks and Kim Kardashian is secretly a man based on physical features like collarbones. Another account claims to be the legitimate president of the United States.
Algorithm behavior extends to product recommendations. Discussing sardines resulted in a sudden flood of sardine-related content. Kim Dotcom posted about a Palantir hack from February 16th allegedly revealing mass surveillance of world leaders including Trump, JD Vance, and Elon Musk.
The alleged hack claims revealed backdoor access to devices, cars, and jets of world leaders along with the largest archive of blackmail material. Additional claims include Palantir creating nuclear and bioweapon capabilities for Ukraine with CIA involvement, developing AI targeting systems for Israel responsible for Palestinian deaths in Gaza, and copying all international client data into a central system.
Kim Dotcom is a wealthy New Zealand resident who ran MegaUpload, which was targeted for copyright infringement issues. He denies wrongdoing and claims US authorities pursued a vendetta on behalf of Hollywood studios. New Zealand courts upheld extradition rulings, and his extradition order was signed in August 2024. He launched Mega cloud storage and funded the Internet Party in New Zealand. He created early internet cartoon videos featuring dictators.
The Seth Rich case remains puzzling because the circumstances surrounding his death don't align with a simple robbery. After allegedly providing Wikileaks with inside information about the Democratic Party's election practices, he was killed at 3:00 AM while his watch, wallet, phone, and other valuables were left untouched.
Kim Dotcom is an interesting character who gained significant wealth and maintained a high-profile lifestyle. He faced persecution connected to his online activities and platforms. While his claims about Palantir surveillance remain unverified, the broader concern about corporate surveillance capabilities is legitimate.
Modern Wi-Fi technology enables precise tracking of individuals within buildings. Systems can determine exact locations and even generate literal images of people moving through spaces. This capability raises serious concerns about targeted surveillance, where knowing someone's precise location could enable targeted actions.
Kim Dotcom created crude flash videos in the late 1990s and early 2000s featuring himself in action sequences. One video shows him as "Kim Kimble Special Agent" in scenarios including helicopter landings and an assassination attempt on Bill Gates that concludes with "Linux" written around the target instead of killing him. These were considered silly at the time rather than causing significant trouble.
Megaupload operated differently from Napster by hosting copyrighted material that users uploaded rather than facilitating direct peer-to-peer sharing. The service allowed users to upload digital files of movies like Avatar and download them for home viewing. Kim Dotcom's defense centered on the fact that he wasn't uploading content himself but merely hosting the service. The platform was seized on January 20, 2012, with $300 million in Hong Kong funds and $40 million in American funds confiscated. The site was hosted in Hong Kong while Kim Dotcom was in New Zealand.
Smartphone advertising based on conversations demonstrates that devices are listening to users. While Palantir's specific involvement remains unverified, the capability for corporations to conduct mass surveillance exists and is likely already being utilized by various entities.
China employs long-term infiltration strategies including funding universities, research programs, and selling discounted cell phone towers near military installations. Chinese entities have purchased farmland surrounding American military bases. A mayor in Arcadia, California was discovered working as a Chinese spy.
Current laws allow anyone with sufficient funds to purchase property adjacent to military installations without meaningful restrictions. Proper security protocols should require American citizenship and legitimate verifiable purposes for land ownership near sensitive military locations rather than simple financial capability.
China's drone technology surpasses American capabilities, demonstrated by massive coordinated drone displays forming enormous dragons in the sky using thousands of autonomous units. Chinese electric vehicles feature advanced technology including 0-60 acceleration in 1.5 seconds and sophisticated suspension systems. These vehicles include luxury features like Huawei sound systems, wireless charging pads with cooling fans, built-in fragrances, heated/ventilated/massaging seats, and dashboard cameras.
Chinese manufacturers produce vehicles with capabilities beyond current American offerings. During the pandemic, China maintained production while Western markets shut down. American automobile executives who visited China reported being shocked by the technological advancement, with some concluding their companies were significantly behind.
The Bodies Exhibit sources many specimens from China through unclaimed bodies. The plastination process requires bodies to be processed within 48 hours of death, which contradicts the 30-day waiting period for unclaimed bodies. The process strips fat and creates plasticized displays of muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Several concerning cases have emerged from the exhibit. One involved a pregnant woman who disappeared after an affair with a mayor. A pregnant body matching her description appeared in the exhibit with an eight-month fetus visible. The mayor's wife managed the plastination facility. Later, this woman was arrested for poisoning an English businessman, though a different person stood trial in her place.
Investigative reporting revealed bodies at plastination facilities with arms tied behind their backs and bloody sheets over their heads, suggesting execution prior to processing. A 2024 scandal involved over 4,000 bodies sold in a corpse scheme where families believed cremation was occurring.
Some cosmetic procedures utilize fat harvested from cadavers for Brazilian butt lifts and other augmentations. The process involves screening, sterilizing, and processing donor fat to remove DNA and cellular material, leaving a collagen and protein matrix. One injection can cost $20,000. Critics note this "zombie filler" approach could be avoided through exercise.
Cadaver grafts are used in medical procedures including ACL reconstruction using Achilles tendons from donors. These transplants have proven effective and functional.
Buttock enhancement procedures can involve massive scarring and fat grafting from various body locations including elderly cadavers. The visual results sometimes appear disproportionate to the patient's natural body structure.
Discussion covers temporal augmentation through intermediate fat pad filler injections, with examples of people receiving fat grafting procedures to their faces. Before and after photos demonstrate how aging causes loss of collagen and fat in the face, and how adding fat back can restore appearance. Some results shown are described as looking poor, with advice given to go to the gym instead of pursuing surgical interventions.
BBL (Brazilian Butt Lift) procedures are discussed, where dead people's tissue is pumped into patients' bodies. One example shows a patient who received fat grafting resulting in a "bubble butt" but poor overall body composition. The recommendation is to work out naturally rather than seek quick surgical fixes. Natural physiques achieved through consistent gym work are highlighted as making a comeback, with multiple examples of women who transformed flat butts through dedicated training and effort.
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic are examined for their effects beyond weight loss. These drugs kill desire, reducing ambition, addiction to cigarettes, alcohol, and gambling by suppressing cravings. Side effects include significant facial fat loss, which can make people look unhealthy, especially older women who benefit from facial fat for youthful appearance. Bone mass loss and muscle mass loss are also reported, similar to effects from starvation or crash diets.
Retatrutide is discussed as a newer compound that purportedly provides weight loss benefits without the muscle and bone density loss associated with other GLP-1 drugs. Employers are reportedly concerned about these medications affecting employee ambition and productivity, though evidence remains largely anecdotal rather than backed by large workplace studies.
Some discussion covers potential benefits of microdosing GLP-1 medications for women after a certain age, claiming reduced inflammation and other benefits. When people discontinue these medications, weight regain is likely if the underlying psychological issues around eating aren't addressed. The stomach shrinks from reduced eating, similar to effects experienced after periods of limited food intake.
Crash dieting by simply not eating causes the body to consume its own tissues for survival, eating fat, muscle tissue, and bone tissue. The side effects of bone loss and muscle loss from GLP-1 drugs mirror what happens during starvation. When incarcerated, limited protein intake prevents muscle growth, and the body shrinks without adequate nutrients.
Fat shaming, though not nice, can serve as motivation for some people to recognize their situation and take action. The process of getting in shape builds internal strength and self-respect that quick fixes cannot provide. Going through difficult processes and achieving results leads to greater appreciation of the outcome and builds mental resilience for future challenges.
NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) is taken as a precursor to NAD, with reported effects including faster fingernail growth as a sign of increased cellular regeneration. This supplement is taken before bed. Thorne supplements are noted as the main company used by UFC because they're third-party tested and safe for sport. Regenerate brand products are also mentioned as UFC-approved.
Hyperbaric chamber therapy lengthens telomeres, with one Israeli university study showing 60-90 minute sessions over 90 days produced telomere increases equivalent to a 20-year difference in biological age. PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) therapy is used on a bed that delivers electric pulses for recovery purposes.
Sparring resumed approximately 3 weeks prior to the conversation, after focusing first on getting into adequate shape to avoid demoralizing sessions. Initial return involved strength and conditioning work, technical training, and weightlifting. The first post-incarceration wrestling session with the oldest son resulted in getting taken down and dominated after an initial takedown, demonstrating how far conditioning had declined.
The upcoming fight in Serbia will be the first UFC event held there. Serbian basketball crowds are known for intense, war-like atmospheres with chanting, war drums, and passionate support. Videos of these crowds show fires and extreme energy levels. Concerns exist about potential unscrupulous gamblers given the historic nature of the event and the opponent being Serbian.
The Kevin Holland fight at welterweight is described as one of the best career fights, featuring back-and-forth action with a second-round knockdown attempt that gassed the gas tank, a third-round reversal where Holland dropped Rodriguez and nearly finished, followed by a comeback to end on top. This was the third scheduled fight between them before it finally happened. The fight exemplified the chaotic, high-stakes exchanges fighters train for.
Daniel Rodriguez described his upcoming fight against Euros Medic as an absolute war. He noted that Medic is a very skillful guy with a couple of knockouts who looks pretty good. Rodriguez confirmed that Medic is no joke and very good, and stated he is going to bring it to the fight.
Joe Rogan mentioned that Rodriguez always comes well prepared. He noted the emotional significance of the fight as a moment of realizing Rodriguez is fully back.
Rodriguez shared details about his time in a Tijuana jail. He explained that the area he was in was like the VIP section because they paid to be there. The section was not heavily protected and was somewhat dangerous, with cell doors open at night.
He confirmed that nobody got killed in his section, but people got killed in other sections of the jail. Rodriguez estimated that two or three people died during his time there.
Rodriguez revealed that he bought an ounce of weed in jail for about $300. The guards brought it in and sold it to him. He noted that you could pay for girls to come in, and there was a menu for this service.
He explained that for around $1,000 to $1,500, inmates could order a woman and spend three to four hours with her in the conjugal area.
Rodriguez described having a barbecue in jail using hot plates. The tier leader would occasionally order pizzas for everyone once or twice every couple of weeks. He mentioned that you could not get a steak, jokingly saying he would have preferred a ribeye over the women.
He confirmed that with money and influence, you could do almost anything in the jail.
Rodriguez stated that inmates only received two days of yard time per week for one and a half hours each session. He spent the entire yard time running to maintain his cardio.
He was the only person working out initially, but by the time he left, he had influenced others to start running and working out. Rodriguez conducted workouts with other inmates on the tier.
Rodriguez remains in contact with some of the inmates he met. He hopes to help them if they get out. He shared a picture showing how thin he looked after his time in jail, appearing malnourished.
Rodriguez mentioned that several people overdosed in the jail, estimating about three or four deaths from overdoses. Many inmates were using heroin. He attempted to get protein powder but was unable to obtain it, noting the irony that heroin was accessible while protein powder was not.
Rodriguez turned his cell area into a small gym and focused on staying busy. He told himself there had to be some way the situation would work out for him. He ended up paying a significant amount of money to secure his release.
Joe Rogan mentioned hearing about Rodriguez's situation three to four months ago when someone asked where he was. Rogan noted that hearing someone is locked up in a Mexican jail creates fear they might never be heard from again.
Rodriguez expressed being happy to be out and reflected on how people take things for granted until experiencing hardship.
Rodriguez went from being in and out of jail to becoming a top 15 UFC welterweight contender. Rogan described the welterweight division as one of the toughest in the sport, naming fighters like Carlos Prates, Sean Brady, and Morales.
Rodriguez revealed that before his arrest, he was scheduled to fight Prates in Brazil. He noted how much the division has changed since his arrest, with the current top five including Ian Garry, Prates, Morales, and Islam Makhachev as champion.
Rodriguez did not see the JDM vs. Prates fight. Rogan described Prates as a clever, tricky striker who is very long for the weight class.
After his release, Rodriguez was planning to fight Leon Edwards on July 11th, but that date was considered too soon. August was viewed as more realistic given his recovery needs.
Rodriguez emphasized appreciating everything after his release, noting that previously when he got out of jail, nobody cared. Now he has major opportunities and is preparing for what he called the biggest fight of his life.
Joe Rogan congratulated Rodriguez on his release and expressed excitement for his upcoming fight, noting the difficulty of wondering if he would ever get out.
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