Daniel Rodriguez Free After Spending Eight Months in Jail in Mexico

Daniel Rodriguez says he is ready to resume his UFC career after revealing that he spent the past eight months in jail in Tijuana, Mexico.

In a recent Instagram Reel, Rodriguez shared footage of himself training behind bars, including workouts inside his cell and pad work in a hallway with a partner. The UFC welterweight said he remained focused on staying prepared for a return to competition throughout his time in custody.

Specific details surrounding Rodriguez’s arrest have not yet been made public. However, his management team told MMA Junkie that a full statement is expected to be released next week.

“8 months in a cage in Tijuana Mexico never killed my spirit,” Rodriguez wrote. “I did everything possible to stay on point and ready for my return to the UFC octagon. Expect a hungrier, more focused version of myself. They tried to take it all away, now it’s time for me to come back and show you all the monster prison created. Thank you to my legal and management team, family and real friends for helping me be a free man today.”

Rodriguez, who is currently ranked No. 14 at welterweight, last fought at UFC 318 in July 2025, where he earned a unanimous decision win over Kevin Holland. The victory extended his winning streak to three fights, following a split-decision win over Alex Morono and a third-round stoppage of Santiago Ponzinibbio.