Last fight
UFC FIGHT NIGHT
Win
Ponzinibbio vs Rodriguez
May. 3, 2025
UFC Spotlight
Stats & Records
9
Wins by Knockout
4
Wins by Submission
5
First Round Finishes
Significant Strikes include all strikes at distance, plus power strikes in the clinch and on the ground.
Striking accuracy
- Sig. Strikes Landed
- 1201
- Sig. Strikes Attempted
- 2453
A takedown is awarded when a fighter deliberately grapples an opponent to the ground and establishes an advantageous position for an appreciable amount of time.
Takedown Accuracy
- Takedowns Landed
- Takedowns Attempted
- 11
- Sig. Str. Defense is the percentage of significant strikes attempted against a fighter that do not land.
- Takedown defense is the percentage of takedowns attempted against a fighter that do not land.
- Knockdown Avg. is the average number of knockdowns per 15 Minutes window.
Sig. Str. by target
athlete record
Info
Status
Active
Place of Birth
Los Angeles, United States
Trains at
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu
Fighting style
Freestyle
Age
38
Height
73.00
Weight
170.50
Octagon Debut
Feb. 15, 2020
Reach
74.00
Leg reach
41.00
- Nine wins by KO, four by submission (Guillotine, armbar, arm triangle, RNC)
- Pro since 2015
- Has won 15 of his last 19 and six of his last nine
- Five first-round finishes
- Last pre-UFC bout was KO2 win over Quinton McCottrell on 12/19/19
UFC on ESPN (5/3/25) Rodriguez stopped Santiago Ponzinibbio via strikes at 1:12 of the third round
UFC Fight Night (10/12/24) Rodriguez won a three round split decision over Alex Morono
UFC on ABC (6/22/24) Rodriguez lost a three round unanimous decision to Kelvin Gastelum
UFC on ABC (5/13/23) Rodriguez was stopped by Ian Machado Garry via strikes at 2:57 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (11/5/22) Rodriguez was submitted by Neil Magny via D'Arce choke at 3:33 of the third round
UFC 279 (9/10/22) Rodriguez won a three round split decision over Li Jingliang
UFC on ESPN (8/28/21) Rodriguez won a three round unanimous decision over Kevin Lee
UFC on ESPN (7/17/21) Rodriguez stopped Preston Parsons via strikes at 3:47 of the first round
UFC on ABC (4/10/21) Rodriguez won a three round unanimous decision over Mike Perry
UFC 255 (11/21/20) Rodriguez lost a three round unanimous decision to Nicolas Dalby
UFC on ESPN (8/22/20) Rodriguez knocked out Dwight Grant at 2:24 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (5/30/20) Rodriguez won a three round unanimous decision over Gabe Green
UFC Fight Night (2/15/20) Rodriguez submitted Tim Means via guillotine choke at 3:37 of the second round
Dana White's Contender Series, Season 3
Episode six (7/30/19) Rodriguez won a three round unanimous decision over Rico Farrington
When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training as a mixed martial artist at the age of 25 with a bit of a boxing background. I’ve always loved combat sports and watched UFC fights. I decided I wanted to train and fell in love with the sport.
Training: On striking days, strength and conditioning in the morning and striking in the afternoon. Grappling days are jiu-jitsu and cardio.
What ranks and titles have you held? My rank is currently #2 in California with a jiu-jitsu purple belt under Eddie Bravo. I was also a two-time amateur champion
Do you have any heroes? My heroes are many UFC fighters: GSP, Chuck Liddell, Jon Jones, Dan Henderson, etc.
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? Fighting in the UFC means I’ve turned my dream to reality. It means a better life for my family and I’ve accomplished something every fighter dreams of.
What was your job before you started fighting? I’ve had many jobs, including union iron worker
Specific accomplishments in amateur competition? 7-0 with five first-round knockouts and two championships
Favorite grappling technique: Arm triangle
Favorite Striking technique: Left cross
