Marina Alcalde Rodriguez[1] (born April 29, 1987) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist (MMA). She currently competes in the Strawweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of January 23, 2024, she is #6 in the UFC women's strawweight rankings.[5]

Marina Rodriguez
BornMarina Alcalde Rodriguez[1]
(1987-04-29) April 29, 1987 (age 36)
Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil[2]
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight115 lb (52 kg; 8 st 3 lb)
DivisionStrawweight (2015–present)
Flyweight (2021)
Reach65 in (165 cm)[2]
Fighting out ofFlorianópolis, Brazil[1]
TeamThai Brasil
AS Team (Jiu-Jitsu)[1]
TrainerAlexandre de Souza (Jiu-Jitsu coach)
Marcio Malko (Muay Thai)[1]
RankPurple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[3] under Alexandre de Souza[4]
Dark blue with black tip belt in Muay Thai[3]
Years active2015–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total23
Wins17
By knockout7
By submission1
By decision9
Losses4
By knockout1
By decision3
Draws2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background edit

Rodriguez was born in Bagé, Brazil.[6] She has two brothers, Gabriel and Roberto, of whom the latter is a two-time Parapan American Games gold medalist in swimming.[6] In her youth, Rodriguez played football, volley, basketball, and handball.[1] Growing tired of the lack of physical exercise in her job as a graphic designer, she started looking for a way to lose some gained weight. Then, she found her now coach, Marcio Malko.[7] Eventually, she joined a muay Thai class in 2013 and soon thereafter started taking amateur bouts.[6]

Mixed martial arts career edit

Early career edit

Rodriguez started her professional MMA career in 2015 and fought primarily in Brazil and amassed a record of 9–0 before competing in Dana White's Contender Series Brazil.[8]

Dana White's Contender Series edit

Rodriguez appeared in Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) Dana White's Contender Series Brazil 2 web-series program on August 11, 2018, facing Maria de Oliveira Neta.[9] She won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[10]

Ultimate Fighting Championship edit

Rodriguez made her UFC debut on September 22, 2018, against Randa Markos at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders.[11] The back and forth contest was ultimately ruled a majority draw.[12]

Rodriguez next faced Jessica Aguilar on March 30, 2019, at UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje against.[13] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[14]

Rodriguez faced Tecia Torres on August 10, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 156.[15] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[16]

Rodriguez faced Cynthia Calvillo, replacing an injured Cláudia Gadelha, on December 7, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 7.[17] At the weigh-ins, Calvillo weighed in at 120.5 pounds, 4.5 pounds over the strawweight non-title fight limit. The bout was held at a catchweight and Calvillo was fined 30% her purse, which went to Rodriguez.[18] After three rounds of fighting, the bout ended with a majority draw.[19]

Rodriguez was expected to face former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza on July 15, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 172.[20] However the bout was cancelled after one of Rodriguez's cornermen tested positive for COVID-19.[21] The pair eventually fought at UFC on ESPN 14 on July 26, 2020.[22] Rodriguez lost the fight via split decision.[23]

Rodriguez faced Amanda Ribas, replacing Michelle Waterson, on January 24, 2021, at UFC 257.[24] Rodriguez won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[25] This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.[26]

As the first fight of her new, multi-fight contract, Rodriguez faced Michelle Waterson in a flyweight bout on May 8, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 24.[27][28] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[29]

Rodriguez faced Mackenzie Dern on October 9, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 194.[30] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[31] This fight earned her the Fight of the Night award.[32]

Rodriguez faced Yan Xiaonan on March 5, 2022, at UFC 272.[33] She won the fight via split decision.[34]

Rodriguez was expected to face Amanda Lemos at UFC 280,[35] but the bout was postponed to UFC Fight Night 214 for unknown reasons.[36] She lost the fight via technical knockout in the third round.[37]

Rodriguez was scheduled to face Virna Jandiroba on May 6, 2023, at UFC 288.[38] She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[39]

Rodriguez faced Michelle Waterson-Gomez in a rematch on September 23, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 228. [40] She won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[41] This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.[42]

Rodriguez faced former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Jéssica Andrade on April 13, 2024, at UFC 300.[43] She lost the bout by split decision.[44]

Championships and awards edit

Mixed martial arts edit

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
23 matches 17 wins 4 losses
By knockout 7 1
By submission 1 0
By decision 9 3
Draws 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 17–4–2 Jéssica Andrade Decision (split) UFC 300 April 13, 2024 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 17–3–2 Michelle Waterson-Gomez TKO (elbows and punches) UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Gamrot September 23, 2023 2 2:42 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Loss 16–3–2 Virna Jandiroba Decision (unanimous) UFC 288 May 6, 2023 3 5:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States
Loss 16–2–2 Amanda Lemos TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Lemos November 5, 2022 3 0:54 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 16–1–2 Yan Xiaonan Decision (split) UFC 272 March 5, 2022 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 15–1–2 Mackenzie Dern Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez October 9, 2021 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Strawweight. Fight of the Night.
Win 14–1–2 Michelle Waterson-Gomez Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Rodriguez vs. Waterson May 8, 2021 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Flyweight debut.
Win 13–1–2 Amanda Ribas TKO (elbow and punches) UFC 257 January 24, 2021 2 0:54 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Performance of the Night.
Loss 12–1–2 Carla Esparza Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till July 26, 2020 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Draw 12–0–2 Cynthia Calvillo Draw (majority) UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik December 7, 2019 3 5:00 Washington, D.C., United States Catchweight (120.5 lb) bout; Calvillo missed weight.
Win 12–0–1 Tecia Torres Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2 August 10, 2019 3 5:00 Montevideo, Uruguay
Win 11–0–1 Jessica Aguilar Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje March 30, 2019 3 5:00 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States
Draw 10–0–1 Randa Markos Draw (majority) UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders September 22, 2018 3 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 10–0 Maria de Oliveira Neta TKO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series Brazil 2 August 11, 2018 1 3:03 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–0 Natália Silva Decision (unanimous) Thunder Fight 14 December 16, 2017 3 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 8–0 Amanda Torres Sardinha Decision (unanimous) Shooto Brazil 79 December 10, 2017 3 5:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 7–0 Samara Santos Cunha Decision (unanimous) Fight 2 Night 2 April 28, 2017 3 5:00 Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
Win 6–0 Paula Vieira da Silva TKO (punches) Curitiba Top Fight 10 February 24, 2017 1 4:50 Curitiba, Brazil Catchweight (121 lb) bout.
Win 5–0 Vanessa Guimaraes Submission (triangle choke) Aspera FC 41 July 9, 2016 2 1:47 São José, Brazil
Win 4–0 Márcia Oliveira TKO (punches) Floripa Fight Championship: The Big Challenge June 4, 2016 1 1:42 Florianópolis, Brazil
Win 3–0 Caroline Silva TKO (knee and punches) Aspera FC 33 March 19, 2016 2 0:47 São José, Brazil
Win 2–0 Caroline Silva Decision (unanimous) Aspera FC 24 September 12, 2015 3 5:00 São José, Brazil
Win 1–0 Silvania Monteiro TKO (retirement) São José Super Fight 6 March 28, 2015 1 5:00 São José, Brazil Strawweight debut.

[45]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f "UFC Sao Paulo: Get to know unbeaten Brazilian newcomer Marina Rodriguez". MMA Junkie. 2018-09-22. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  2. ^ a b "Marina Rodriguez | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  3. ^ a b "Marina Rodriguez | UFC". UFC.com. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  4. ^ @marinarodriguezmma (December 2, 2018). ""(...) No domingo passado recebi a faixa roxa de Jiu jitsu das mãos do meu professor @alexandresouzateam (...)"". Retrieved July 26, 2020 – via Instagram.
  5. ^ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  6. ^ a b c Guilherme Cruz (December 7, 2019). "UFC strawweight Marina Rodriguez inspired by brother's para-swimming success". mmafighting.com.
  7. ^ Blaine Henry (October 23, 2021). "Marina Rodriguez: Hard Work Pays Off". Fight-Library.com.
  8. ^ Sherdog.com. "Marina Rodriguez MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  9. ^ Myers, Thomas (2018-08-22). "UFC's 'Contender Series' continues with three Brazilian-inspired episodes". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  10. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2018-08-31). "Dana White's Contender Series Brazil results: Season 1, Week 2 (spoilers)". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  11. ^ Marcel Dorff (2018-08-23). "Unbeaten UFC debutante Marina Rodriguez meets Randa Markos during UFC São Paulo" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  12. ^ "UFC Sao Paulo results: Randa Markos, Marina Rodriguez battle to hard-fought majority draw". MMAjunkie. 2018-09-22. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
  13. ^ DNA, MMA. "Jessica Aguilar vervangt Alexa Grasso tegen Marina Rodriguez tijdens UFC Philadelphia". Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  14. ^ "UFC Philadelphia: Marina Rodriguez bloodies Jessica Aguilar for dominant decision". MMA Junkie. 2019-03-30. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  15. ^ Jon Fuentes (2019-06-19). "Breaking: Valentina Shevchenko Will Defend Title Against Liz Carmouche In UFC Montevideo Main Event". lowKickmma.com. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  16. ^ Harshman, Heath (2019-08-10). "UFC Uruguay Results: Marina Rodriguez Stays Undefeated, Defeats Tecia Torres by Unanimous Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  17. ^ Redactie. "Marina Rodriguez replaces Claudia Gadelha against Cynthia Calvillo during UFC Washington". mmadan.nl. Retrieved 2019-10-24.(in Dutch)
  18. ^ Staff (2019-12-06). "UFC on ESPN 7 weigh-in results: Overeem-Rozenstruik official, but Calvillo misses by 4.5 pounds". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2019-12-06.
  19. ^ "UFC on ESPN 7 results: Cynthia Calvillo vs. Marina Rodriguez ends in majority draw". MMA Junkie. 2019-12-08. Retrieved 2020-01-29.
  20. ^ Martin, Damon (2020-06-03). "Carla Esparza faces Marina Rodriguez in July after inking new four-fight deal with UFC". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
  21. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2020-07-03). "Marina Rodriguez vs. Carla Esparza off of July 15 UFC event due to positive COVID-19 test". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-07-04.
  22. ^ "Carla Esparza vs. Marina Rodriguez reset for July 25 UFC show in Abu Dhabi". MMA Junkie. 2020-07-05. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  23. ^ Fuentes, Jon (2020-07-25). "UFC Fight Island 3 Results: Carla Esparza Edges Out Marina Rodriguez". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-07-26.
  24. ^ Diego Ribas (2020-12-08). "UFC books fight between Amanda Ribas and Marina Rodriguez for January". agfight.com. Retrieved 2020-12-09. (in Portuguese)
  25. ^ Evanoff, Josh (2021-01-23). "UFC 257 Results: Marina Rodriguez Upsets Amanda Ribas". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
  26. ^ a b Stephie Haynes (2021-01-24). "UFC 257 post-fight bonuses: Poirier stops McGregor in second round". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
  27. ^ Damon Martin and Guilherme Cruz (2021-04-27). "UFC targets Michelle Waterson vs. Marina Rodriguez to headline UFC Vegas 26". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  28. ^ Marcelo Alonso (May 5, 2021). "Marina Rodriguez Received New Contract After Helping Save UFC on ESPN 24 Main Event". Sherdog.
  29. ^ Doherty, Dan (2021-05-08). "UFC Vegas 26 Results: Marina Rodriguez Withstands Late Push from Michelle Waterson". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
  30. ^ "Marina Rodriguez vs. Mackenzie Dern headlines UFC Fight in October". MMA Junkie. 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  31. ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-10-09). "UFC Vegas 39 Results: Marina Rodriguez Fends Off Mackenzie Dern, Wins Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
  32. ^ a b "UFC Fight Night 194 bonuses: Women sweep extra $50,000 checks in Las Vegas". MMA Junkie. 2021-10-09. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  33. ^ DNA, MMA (2021-12-29). "Marina Rodriguez vs. Yan Xiaonan toegevoegd aan UFC 272 in Las Vegas". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  34. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-03-05). "UFC 272: Strong Second Half by Marina Rodriguez Secures Victory Against Yan Xiaonan". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  35. ^ Nolan King (2022-07-21). "UFC 280 continues to stack lineup with Amanda Lemos vs. Marina Rodriguez targeted". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-09-04.
  36. ^ Alexander K. Lee (2022-09-02). "Marina Rodriguez vs. Amanda Lemos moved from UFC 280 to Nov. 5 event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2022-09-04.
  37. ^ Matthew Wells (2022-11-05). "UFC Fight Night 214 results: Amanda Lemos stuns Marina Rodriguez, records standing TKO stoppage". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  38. ^ Calhoun, Curtis (2023-02-22). "Mackenzie Dern & Marina Rodriguez Have Next Fights Booked". MMA News. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  39. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-05-06). "UFC 288: Virna Jandiroba Smothers Marina Rodriguez with Wrestling". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  40. ^ Desk, ITN News (2023-08-18). "Rodriguez vs Waterson & Means vs Fialho Bouts Added to UFC Vegas 79". www.itnwwe.com. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
  41. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-09-23). "UFC Vegas 79: Marina Rodriguez Batters, Bloodies Tough-As-Nails Michelle Waterson-Gomez". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
  42. ^ a b "UFC Fight Night 228 bonuses: Marina Rodriguez's bloody beatdown takes $50K". MMA Junkie. 2023-09-24. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
  43. ^ Mike Heck (2024-01-26). "Jessica Andrade vs. Marina Rodriguez set for UFC 300". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  44. ^ Anderson, Jay (2024-04-13). "UFC 300: Jessica Andrade Picks Up Second Straight Win, Decisions Marina Rodriguez". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  45. ^ Sherdog.com. "Marina Rodriguez MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-10-10.

External links edit