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‘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

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‘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

Daniel Rodriguez has had a crazy year, and now he gets to return to doing what he loves most when he faces Uros Medic in the main event of UFC Belgrade this Saturday.

“Man, I'm super excited,†Rodriguez told MMA Fighting. “I'm feeling very grateful and fortunate to be here, man. It's been a long road and I'm excited to fight on Saturday.â€

In April, Rodriguez was released from a Mexican jail after being imprisoned for eight months due to an arrest at the border when he was caught in possession of marijuana. “D-Rod†gets a massive opportunity riding a three-fight win streak, including a decision win over Kevin Holland a year ago in a wild battle at UFC 318.

Rodriguez was asked if he had doubts he'd ever fight again while sitting behind bars.

“Yeah, man, 100 percent,†Rodriguez said. “There was a moment in time where I wasn't sure if I was going to get out and be able to continue my career. They wanted to actually give me a couple years, man, and if that was the case, I knew for sure my career was over.

“It was an emotional roller coaster in there, especially coming off a huge win, the biggest win of my life, and then to be thrown in a jail cell and not knowing, what was going to happen was definitely super stressful. But there was a small part of me that told me like, things were going to work out, and that's what kept me motivated to train, and to continue to work out and try to do anything possible to stay in shape. I just had faith that I'd be able to do this. And sure enough, and now I'm headlining the UFC event. It's a dream come true, man.â€

The 39-year-old got a late start in the game as he didn't step into his first MMA gym until he was 25. He parlayed that into a 10-4 record in 14 octagon appearances, which also includes wins over Mike Perry and Kevin Lee, while getting valuable experience along the way.

Rodriguez learned even more about himself while in prison, and now sees things in a much different way.

“I'm a survivor, man,†Rodriguez explained. “I can overcome any situation that you could throw at me. If I could take anything from that experience is just loving life and living a life to its utmost potential. I'm grateful to be here and I'm lucky. Man, I'm lucky.

“I was in there with people that are never getting out, and it made me appreciate my life so much more. And I'm here now, and days away from one of the biggest fights in my life and I come out with the victory this Saturday, and I'm going to start trying to pitch my story to Hollywood, man. They need to make a movie out of this, bro.â€

Medic gets the hometown headline spot as he attempts to play spoiler to Rodriguez's comeback story. “The Doctor†is also riding a three-fight win streak, finishing all of his opponents in the first round. In his most recent outing, Medic destroyed perennial welterweight contender Geoff Neal in just 79 seconds.

Rodriguez has been through much worse than being the away team in a UFC fight, which is why he believes getting his hand raised will be as memorable a moment as he's ever experienced.

“When I get my hand raised, I don't really know how I'm going to feel,†Rodriguez said. “I'm just going to know that I've been through a lot this past year, and it's been ups and downs. And to go out there and get my hand raised on Saturday, man, it's definitely going to be like my greatest victory ever. Just for the fact that I came back, and the feeling that I have right now, it's a great feeling.

“Because when I first got out of jail, I was struggling, man. It was so hard to get back into shape and I just trusted all the hard work that was ahead of me and I knew that I was going to be able to get back in shape. And sure enough, man, I just bit down on my mouthguard, man and just trusted the process and getting my hand raised on Saturday is going to make it all come together, man.

“This whole process, it's been a battle, man. And I'm grateful to be here and I can't wait to go out there on Saturday and just put my heart out on the line again, man.â€

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Jon Jones roasts Daniel Cormier's 'deep jealousy' after picking Khabib Nurmagomedov as UFC GOAT

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Jon Jones roasts Daniel Cormier's 'deep jealousy' after picking Khabib Nurmagomedov as UFC GOAT

Jon Jones plans to ‘pray' for Daniel Cormier after the UFC legend's recent GOAT take on longtime teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov.

UFC legends Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier will likely never improve, despite being years removed from their two fights inside the Octagon. Their historic rivalry reignited after Jones and Cormier spent time coaching against each other on a Russian spinoff of The Ultimate Fighter, via ALF Global.

The two former rivals recently traded barbs after Jones claimed that Cormier told him that their feud was ‘worth too much money to end'. Cormier vehemently denied the allegations in a lengthy YouTube upload.

But it's Cormier's latest comments, crowning Khabib Nurmagomedov as the UFC's greatest fighter, that have refueled the fire behind the Jones-Cormier rivalry.

Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier trade barbs over Khabib Nurmagomedov GOAT take

In a recent interview on behalf of ALF Global, Cormier raised eyebrows when asked about putting Nurmagomedov over Jones as the UFC GOAT.

“Jon Jones, for as good as he is, has one loss. Why? Because he made a mistake,†Cormier said of Jones.

“Khabib dominated and never made a mistake. Never got himself disqualified…never made mistakes. I don't know why more people share this opinion.â€

In a recent Instagram comment, Jones responded to Cormier's recent interview.

“I started in the UFC so early that I didn't even know what the rules were. The night I fought Matt was the first night I had ever even heard the term “12-to-6.†Literally, my entire career has been in the main event, fighting for a world title,†Jones responded to Cormier.

“My brother, Daniel Cormier, your jealousy runs so deep through your blood. I honestly pray that the good Lord heals you from your envy and that, one day, you won't feel the need to do interviews like this. Until then, it's flattering to see the passion you have when it comes to me.â€

Nurmagomedov and Cormier entered the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022 in the same induction class. Meanwhile, Jones is expected to join them in the coming years, after retiring from Mixed Martial Arts in 2025.

Is Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier the greatest rivalry in UFC history? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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Josh Hokit hits back at Glover Teixeira's call for Alex Pereira fight: 'Pure violence'

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Josh Hokit hits back at Glover Teixeira's call for Alex Pereira fight: 'Pure violence'

A matchup between star heavyweights Josh Hokit and Alex Pereira might be the fight to make, according to Pereira's coach Glover Teixeira.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira's heavyweight debut ended in disaster as he lost to Ciryl Gane in the UFC Freedom 250 co-main event earlier this summer. After a back-and-forth opening round, Gane defeated Pereira by second-round TKO, albeit not without some controversy.

Despite initially hinting at retirement due to his opposition to referee Herb Dean, Pereira aims to return to the heavyweight division for another title chase. A potential opponent is Josh Hokit, who earned a stoppage win over Derrick Lewis earlier on the UFC Freedom 250 card.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira, Pereira's longtime mentor and coach, believes there's one fight that makes the most sense for the UFC superstar's next assignment.

Josh Hokit gives caveat for accepting potential Alex Pereira heavyweight fight

In a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Teixeira was asked about Pereira's next move and didn't hesitate to call out Hokit.

“I know for sure he's going to get that belt, so he's going to stay at heavyweight,†Teixeira said of Pereira's plans.

“Hokit is talking a lot of s—, let's go over there and knock his a– out and get back to the top. And then get the rematch.â€

In a recent tweet, Hokit responded to Teixeira's endorsement of a showdown with Pereira.

“Either give me Ciryl for the title or Alex for the BMF,†Hokit posted.

“Tired of watching these little crotch sniffers lay & pray & people call them the BMF/P4P. You can't have those titles & just hold guys down without doing damage. Whoever I fight, the fans will get pure violence with a show.â€

What's your prediction for a potential Alex Pereira vs. Josh Hokit fight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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Khabib Nurmagomedov praises 'legend' Edson Barboza after former rival's retirement

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Khabib Nurmagomedov praises 'legend' Edson Barboza after former rival's retirement

UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov applauded his former rival Edson Barboza following his UFC 330 retirement.

Khabib Nurmagomedov stood cageside as his longtime friend and pupil, Islam Makhachev, successfully defended his UFC welterweight title at UFC 330 last weekend. Makhachev, the UFC's pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter, defeated Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision in a grueling battle.

Before making the full-time transition to coaching, Nurmagomedov wrapped up his legendary career as the UFC's pound-for-pound king with a win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Despite being in the middle of his prime, Nurmagomedov retired to fulfill a promise to his mother following the tragic death of his father, Abdulmanap.

On his way to highlight-reel wins over Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Gaethje, Nurmagomedov went through a gauntlet in the UFC's lightweight division. His win over Edson Barboza at UFC 219 clinched his long-awaited lightweight title shot, defeating Barboza by unanimous decision.

Following a loss at UFC 330, Barboza dropped the gloves and announced his retirement from Mixed Martial Arts at 40 years old. Nurmagomedov, who was backstage preparing Makhachev for his fight at the time of Barboza's announcement, had a classy message for his former rival.

Khabib Nurmagomedov's live reaction to Edson Barboza's UFC 330 retirement

During a recent episode of Anatomy of a Fighter, Nurmagomedov shared his live reaction to Barboza's retirement at UFC 330.

“Long time ago, the sport left him. But today, he leaves the sport, too,†Nurmagomedov said of Barboza.

“This happens. When you're 40 years old, you have to think about your family. Family is better than being beat up like this. Just my opinion. But he's a legend!â€

Barboza earned wins over the likes of Paul Felder, Beneil Dariush, and Anthony Pettis during his illustrious UFC career. He made his promotional debut at UFC 123.

What is your favorite memory from Edson Barboza's UFC career? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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