Daniel Rodriguez has broken his silence after spending the past eight months in a Mexican prison, describing the ordeal as “the most horrible situation you can think of.” The UFC welterweight said a routine vacation trip to Mexico after his win over Kevin Holland turned into an extended detention after border officials found a small bag of weed in his car.
Rodriguez, 39, said he expected to spend only a short time in custody, but the case escalated under Mexico’s stricter laws and kept him behind bars far longer than he imagined. He told The Ariel Helwani Show that the experience left him shocked, frustrated, and forced to spend months trying to work out a deal for his release.
How a vacation turned into detention
Rodriguez said he crossed into Mexico with a friend for what was supposed to be a brief trip soon after his win at UFC 318. He explained that he had forgotten about “a little bag of weed” in his possession and was searched at the border after officials noticed issues with the vehicle.
According to Rodriguez, the car lacked a front license plate tag, which drew attention from border patrol and the National Guard. He said the situation quickly became serious, and what he assumed would be a weekend in jail turned into eight months in custody.
What Rodriguez said happened at the border
Rodriguez gave a blunt account of the arrest and what followed at the checkpoint. He said the officials did not treat the case lightly and that attempts to resolve the matter on the spot did not work.
- Border officials searched the vehicle after stopping him.
- A small amount of marijuana was found.
- Rodriguez said he tried to offer money to get released immediately.
- He and his friend were both detained.
- The case stretched into a long prison stay before a deal was reached.
Rodriguez also said he believed the authorities wanted to make an example of him. He added that he tried to keep a low profile but was unable to avoid the consequences once the marijuana was discovered.
Life inside the prison
Rodriguez said conditions in the facility were extremely difficult, especially for a professional athlete used to strict training and nutrition. He described the daily food as minimal, with low-protein soups alongside tortillas, rice, beans, carrots, and potatoes.
Exercise was limited as well. Rodriguez said inmates only went to the yard twice a week, and those were the only times he could run. He said he spent those sessions running laps as often as possible to stay active, while a cellmate with boxing experience helped him sharpen his technique when there was time.
The fighter said the hardest part was the lack of proper nutrition. He explained that he had entered the situation in peak shape after a major UFC win, then had to adjust to being confined with almost no control over food or training.
Support from the UFC world
Rodriguez said he was not completely alone during the ordeal. He claimed fellow UFC fighter Yair Rodriguez and the UFC tried to help by “pulling some strings,” but he said the Mexican government would not budge.
He also said his family and close friends were able to stay in contact with him, which helped him endure the time inside. Rodriguez described having certain privileges in prison, though he did not go into detail about them.
What comes next for Rodriguez
Rodriguez said he is now focused on returning to the octagon and extending his winning streak. He said Kevin Holland has already reached out about a rematch, but he is looking for a bigger opportunity.
The welterweight veteran said a fight with former champion Leon Edwards is the type of matchup he wants. Rodriguez added that, if things go according to plan, he expects to be ready in about three months and wants to move quickly back into title-level contention.
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