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MMA·ANALYSIS·July 29, 2026 09:38 PM ET

Daniel Rodriguez recounts prison ordeal before UFC Belgrade

Saturday marks his first fight in more than a year.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jul 301 min read
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Daniel Rodriguez Daniel Rodriguez reflects on learning lessons from spending 8 months in Mexican prison ahead of #UFCBel Via @MMAFighting on X

What happened: Rodriguez spent eight months in a Mexican prison following an arrest at the border for marijuana possession. He was released in April and returned to training for his first UFC main event.

Why it matters: The bout headlines the UFC's first event in Serbia. It also tests whether Rodriguez can resume his climb after an absence that interrupted a three-fight winning streak.

By the numbers: Rodriguez carries a 20-5 record into his first appearance since a unanimous-decision win in July 2025.

What to watch: Friday's weigh-in is the final checkpoint before Rodriguez returns Saturday.

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