‘They need to make a movie out of this, bro’: Daniel Rodriguez grateful to get UFC Belgrade headline spot after 8 months in Mexican prison - MMA Fighting

What the report says

MMA Fighting reported that UFC welterweight Daniel Rodriguez will return to competition in a prominent spot Saturday, facing Uros Medic in the main event of UFC Belgrade. Rodriguez told the outlet he feels grateful to be back after what he described as a long and difficult period away from fighting.

According to the report, Rodriguez was released in April after spending eight months in a Mexican jail following a border arrest connected to possession of marijuana. He said he had feared his MMA career might be over, particularly because he believed authorities had sought a longer sentence. Rodriguez said he tried to stay active while incarcerated and leaned on the hope that he would eventually resume competing.

The bout comes with Rodriguez on a three-fight winning streak, including a decision over Kevin Holland at UFC 318. MMA Fighting noted that the 39-year-old began training in MMA relatively late, at 25, and has built a 10-4 record in UFC appearances, with past wins over Mike Perry and Kevin Lee.

Medic, who will have the local connection in Belgrade, is also on a three-fight streak and has finished each of those wins in the first round, most recently stopping Geoff Neal in 79 seconds, according to MMA Fighting. The matchup matters both as a competitive welterweight main event and as the next chapter in Rodriguez’s attempt to rebuild momentum after his imprisonment.