Daniel Rodriguez
D-Rod
USA
Takes war from Kevin Holland
Rodriguez defeated Kevin Holland via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC 318 on Saturday in New Orleans.
ANALYSIS
Rodriguez has been short on notable wins throughout his UFC run, but this was possibly his most impressive to date. It didn't come easy, and in the end, he was fortunate to survive. D-Rod did enough to win a close Round 1 before opening up in Round 2. He became the first opponent to knock Holland down, doing it twice in the second frame. Then, he gassed out and everything changed. Rodriguez was on his last legs after getting dropped early in Round 3, only to somehow survive and actually end the fight in mount. It was a wild set of circumstances, and the late Rodriguez surge may have been the only reason the bout ended in a victory instead of a draw. Rodriguez will be 39 years old on New Year's Eve, is a one-dimensional boxer and lost three in a row as recently as November 2022 to June 2024, so expecting some sort of surge at this point is very unlikely, but this was an awesome win for D-Rod.
Rodriguez has been short on notable wins throughout his UFC run, but this was possibly his most impressive to date. It didn't come easy, and in the end, he was fortunate to survive. D-Rod did enough to win a close Round 1 before opening up in Round 2. He became the first opponent to knock Holland down, doing it twice in the second frame. Then, he gassed out and everything changed. Rodriguez was on his last legs after getting dropped early in Round 3, only to somehow survive and actually end the fight in mount. It was a wild set of circumstances, and the late Rodriguez surge may have been the only reason the bout ended in a victory instead of a draw. Rodriguez will be 39 years old on New Year's Eve, is a one-dimensional boxer and lost three in a row as recently as November 2022 to June 2024, so expecting some sort of surge at this point is very unlikely, but this was an awesome win for D-Rod.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
New fighter steps in
Rodriguez is set to face Kevin Holland in a middleweight fight at UFC 318 on July 19, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Rodriguez earned back-to-back victories after defeating Santiago Ponzibbio via TKO during UFC Fight Night in Iowa. The 39-year old will need to overcome Kevin Holland if he wants to extend his current winning streak. Holland is also coming off a fresh victory and aiming to earn his third consecutive win.
Rodriguez earned back-to-back victories after defeating Santiago Ponzibbio via TKO during UFC Fight Night in Iowa. The 39-year old will need to overcome Kevin Holland if he wants to extend his current winning streak. Holland is also coming off a fresh victory and aiming to earn his third consecutive win.
Puts away Santiago Ponzinibbio
Rodriguez defeated Santiago Ponzinibbio via TKO (punches) at 1:12 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa.
ANALYSIS
Rodriguez snapped a three-fight losing streak in a split decision win over Alex Morono in October and now picks up his second straight victory. This looked like a good matchup for D-Rod on paper, and it played out that way inside the Octagon. Ponzinibbio displays poor striking defense at this stage of his career and is willing to continuously push forward. That opened up the door for Rodriguez, who is a one-dimensional boxer with zero grappling. The outcome likely says more about the lack of durability for Ponzinibbio than anything else, but the end result is another much-needed win for Rodriguez. It was the first knockout win since July 2021 for the California native. D-Rod will turn 39 years of age on New Year's Eve.
Rodriguez snapped a three-fight losing streak in a split decision win over Alex Morono in October and now picks up his second straight victory. This looked like a good matchup for D-Rod on paper, and it played out that way inside the Octagon. Ponzinibbio displays poor striking defense at this stage of his career and is willing to continuously push forward. That opened up the door for Rodriguez, who is a one-dimensional boxer with zero grappling. The outcome likely says more about the lack of durability for Ponzinibbio than anything else, but the end result is another much-needed win for Rodriguez. It was the first knockout win since July 2021 for the California native. D-Rod will turn 39 years of age on New Year's Eve.
Booked versus Ponzinibbio
Rodriguez will fight Santiago Ponzinibbio at a UFC event on May 3, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Rodriguez, who is 1-3 in his last four fights following a split decision victory over Alex Morono in October, has found his next opponent. The pair were scheduled to fight in September 2023 before Rodriguez was forced to withdraw following a positive drug test. Rodriguez will have the advantage in terms of height and weight, but Ponzinibbio has significantly more fights under his belt despite the two being the same age.
Rodriguez, who is 1-3 in his last four fights following a split decision victory over Alex Morono in October, has found his next opponent. The pair were scheduled to fight in September 2023 before Rodriguez was forced to withdraw following a positive drug test. Rodriguez will have the advantage in terms of height and weight, but Ponzinibbio has significantly more fights under his belt despite the two being the same age.
Snaps three-fight losing streak
Rodriguez defeated Alex Morono via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Entering with three straight defeats on his ledger and certainly fighting for his job, Rodriguez did enough to emerge victorious. He deserves full marks for getting back on track after a lousy opening round. Aided by a tiring Morono, D-Rod upped the volume over the course of the final two minutes and even mixed in a successful takedown for good measure. Rodriguez -- a one-dimensional boxer with zero grappling game -- has a skill set that figures to age poorly, but this win should ensure he gets at least one more fight with the company. Rodriguez will be 38 years of age on New Year's Eve.
Entering with three straight defeats on his ledger and certainly fighting for his job, Rodriguez did enough to emerge victorious. He deserves full marks for getting back on track after a lousy opening round. Aided by a tiring Morono, D-Rod upped the volume over the course of the final two minutes and even mixed in a successful takedown for good measure. Rodriguez -- a one-dimensional boxer with zero grappling game -- has a skill set that figures to age poorly, but this win should ensure he gets at least one more fight with the company. Rodriguez will be 38 years of age on New Year's Eve.
Back to welterweight for Vegas 98
Rodriguez is scheduled to compete against Alex Morono in a welterweight fight at UFC Vegas 98 on Oct. 12, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Rodriguez's last fight was to Kelvin Gastelum at middleweight, continuing the former's losing streak to three. Following the third defeat, Rodriguez will move back to welterweight and fight Morono, who has alternated between winning and losing across his last six bouts.
Rodriguez's last fight was to Kelvin Gastelum at middleweight, continuing the former's losing streak to three. Following the third defeat, Rodriguez will move back to welterweight and fight Morono, who has alternated between winning and losing across his last six bouts.