Daniel Rodriguez, a 39-year-old welterweight fighter, is set to face Uros Medic in the main event of UFC Belgrade this Saturday. Rodriguez's journey to this point is nothing short of remarkable, having spent eight months in a Tijuana jail cell on a marijuana possession charge before being released in April.
Rodriguez has been training hard since his release, splitting time between Las Vegas and Los Angeles to get his body in shape for the fight. Despite his age, he's never felt freer, and he's determined to make the most of his opportunity.
"It's been a roller-coaster, and I think me being here is a true testament of being able to come back from some of the toughest situations or showing it's never too late to come back," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez's latest offense wasn't nearly as severe as some of the cases that have come before him, but it didn't take the sting out of spending eight months behind bars. Not that he expects a late title push, but that there's even a remote possibility he could make that run late is a quiet motivator.
Rodriguez grew up not too far from Hollywood, where stranger things have happened. He's a "young 39" in the fight game, having started his journey into MMA at 25 years old. His first pro fight came at 29, and he didn't arrive into the UFC until he was 33.
"I mean, I win this fight and then hopefully that Leon Edwards fight happens, I win that fight … next thing you know, I'm fighting a top-five guy," Rodriguez said. "I'm really that close. I believe in myself and my abilities. And I just tell myself, you know what? Why not, bro? Why not me?"
Rodriguez's story is a classic underdog tale, one that the UFC has traditionally been a willing platform for. He's a fighter who's overcome adversity and is now looking to make the most of his opportunity.
Uros Medic, the opponent Rodriguez will face in Belgrade, is a formidable foe. The Serbian fighter has never lost a fight in the UFC, and he's looking to make a big statement in front of his countrymen.
The crowd in Serbia is known for being wild, and Rodriguez is expecting a crazy atmosphere. "I looked into the atmosphere and the crowd in Serbia, and they're definitely crazy," he said. "I'm expecting this crazy energy."
Rodriguez's fight against Medic is set to take place this Saturday at UFC Belgrade.
Source: Yahoo Sports