Rodriguez celebrates his UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/DanielRodriguez
After a long period without news or public appearances, veteran Daniel Rodriguez has finally reappeared, reassuring his fans. The reason for the UFC veteran's absence was due to a legal issue that led to his arrest shortly after his important victory against Kevin Holland in July in New Orleans (USA). The American was caught in possession of marijuana and spent eight months in a Mexican prison.
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Recently, Rodriguez secured his release after paying bail and, in an interview with the YouTube channel 'The Ariel Helwani Show', he detailed his routine in a Mexican prison. It's true that this wasn't the first time the American had been arrested, but being detained outside his country, he had no doubt in describing the experience as the most difficult and traumatic he had ever lived through.
Unfortunately for the veteran, the arrest came at a terrible time, as it took him out of the game when he was riding a three-fight winning streak. Nevertheless, Rodriguez, even in terrible conditions and facing adverse circumstances, fearing recognition and attack, continued training as best he could. Therefore, 'D-Rod', after going through desperate moments, assured that he learned from his mistake and can't wait to return to the octagon to make up for lost time.
“That was my first time in a Mexican prison and I can say one thing for sure: it’s the worst possible situation. Luckily, I managed to make the best of it. I was able to use my influence to get some training equipment and I was able to exercise and try to stay in shape, but it’s not the same. We only went to the yard twice a week and those were the only days I could run. I spent all my time running, probably looking like an insane guy, just going around in circles,” said the fighter.
“I think the worst part of it all was the food. I felt kind of unwell, malnourished. I think the hardest part was the food. I came out of a big fight, my body was healthy and in top shape, and then to be thrown in and locked in a cell, with nowhere to go, receiving only the bare minimum of food, was terrible. At my first hearing, one of the guards recognized me and started asking for photos. I was like, 'What the hell?' Then all the guards were there taking pictures. Some of the prisoners saw this and one of them asked, 'What's wrong with you?', this and that.”
“I didn’t want to say anything because, in a situation like that, you want to keep as low profile as possible because, being who I am, it’s like I have a target on my back. People are going to want to test you, you never know. So, I just wanted to keep a low profile. As soon as this happened, as soon as I arrived at the prison, it’s not like it is outside. I’ve been in a jail before, which isn’t a real ‘prison.’ But there, they throw you straight into prison, and for my first 12 days I was in a cell meant for six people with about 25 others inside. The guys were sleeping on the floor, two men per bunk, and I couldn’t even sleep. It was disgusting, horrible. The most horrible situation you can imagine.”
“Fortunately, the news that I was there spread and they transferred me to the VIP area, so I was lucky enough to receive some attention. Yes, they treated me very well, but deep down I had the feeling that this guy was using me as protection. That I was like his bodyguard or something, but I moved on,” he concluded.
Rodriguez's fighters in MMA
Daniel Rodriguez , 39, is a veteran MMA fighter who competes in the welterweight division. The American began his career in the sport in 2015 and made his UFC debut in 2020. Currently, he is ranked 14th in the division.
In this discipline, 'D-Rod' built a record of 20 wins and five losses. Six of his main victories were over Kevin Holland , Kevin Lee , Li Jingliang , Mike Perry , and Santiago Ponzinibbio.
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Read More about: chain, Daniel Rodriguez, fight, MMA, Prisoner, Prison, UFC
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