Marina Rodriguez is a Brazilian mixed martial artist born April 29, 1987. At the time being, she competes in the Strawweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
As of August 9, 2021, she is #6 UFC women’s strawweight rankings.
Rodriguez was born in Bagé, Brazil to Luis and Diva Rodriguez.
She has two brothers, Gabriel and Roberto, of whom the latter is a two-time Parapan American Games gold medalist in swimming.
Rodriguez started her professional MMA career in 2015 and fought primarily in Brazil. After that, she amassed a record of 9–0 before competing in Dana White’s Contender Series Brazil.
Rodriguez appeared in the Dana White’s Contender Series Brazil 2 web-series program on August 11, 2018, facing Maria de Oliveira Neta, and she won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.
UFC Profile – Marina Rodriguez’s UFC Run
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Randa Markos
Rodriguez made her UFC debut on September 22, 2018, against Randa Markos at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders.
The back and forth contest was ultimately ruled a majority draw.
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Jessica Aguilar
Her next fight came on UFC on March 30, 2019, at UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje against Jessica Aguilar.
She won the fight via unanimous decision.
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Tecia Torres
Rodriguez faced Tecia Torres on August 10, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 14, where she won the fight via unanimous decision.
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Cynthia Calvillo
Rodriguez faced Cynthia Calvillo, replacing injured Cláudia Gadelha, on December 7, 2019 at UFC on ESPN 7.
At the weigh-ins, Calvillo weighed in at 120.5 pounds, 4.5 pounds over the strawweight non-title fight limit of 116.
The bout took place at a catchweight and Calvillo, fined 30% of her purse, gave it to Rodriguez.
After three rounds of fighting, the bout ended with a majority draw.
First loss and rebound:
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Carla Esparza
Rodriguez expected to face Carla Esparza on July 15, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 172.
The bout got canceled after one of Rodriguez’s cornermen tested positive for COVID-19.
The pair eventually fought at UFC on ESPN 14 on July 26, 2020. This time Rodriguez lost the fight via split decision.
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Amanda Ribas
Rodriguez faced Amanda Ribas, replacing Michelle Waterson, on January 24, 2021, at UFC 257.
Rodriguez won the fight via technical knockout in round two with this win earning her the Performance of the Night award.
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Michelle Waterson
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.
She won her most recent fight via unanimous decision.