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A bizarre story is unfolding in the MMA world.
UFC fighter Daniel Rodriguez, who had been mysteriously missing for some time, was apparently locked up in Mexico and is ready to make his return to MMA.
On Friday, Rodriguez revealed that he had been in prison in Tijuana for the last 8 months and was just released last week.
“Eight months in a cage in Tijuana, Mexico never killed my spirit. I did everything possible to stay on point and ready for my return to the UFC octagon,” said Rodriguez.
“Expect a hungrier, more focused version of myself. They tried to take it all away, now it’s time for me to come back and show you all the monster that prison created.
“Thank you to my legal and management team, family and real friends to help me be a free man.”
Top 15 UFC welterweight Daniel Rodriguez confirms he was released from prison today in Tijuana after being locked up for 8 months.
He showed some footage of him training in the prison on his social media. pic.twitter.com/SDLWFmvVRN
— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) April 9, 2026
Kevin Holland, who lost to Rodriguez last year, apparently bailed out his rival so that they could rematch in the UFC.
Via Full Send MMA
“I bailed him out. I need to get this dub this weekend then he needs to get through this probation period and when I’m ready to fight again, he will be read.y”
Kevin Holland says he bailed out Daniel Rodriguez so he could get his UFC rematch with him
“I bailed him out. I need to get this dub this weekend then he needs to get through this probation period and when I’m ready to fight again he will be ready” pic.twitter.com/EzPsMJl5YD
— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) April 8, 2026
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It’s still unclear why Rodriguez was in prison in Tijuana for the past eight months.
Holland fights on Saturday night at UFC 327 in Miami, and it will be interesting to see how soon he could face off against Rodriguez.