Marina Alcalde Rodriguez[1] (born April 29, 1987) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist. She currently competes in the women's Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of October 8, 2024, she is #9 in the UFC women's strawweight rankings.[5]

Marina Rodriguez
BornMarina Alcalde Rodriguez[1]
(1987-04-29) April 29, 1987 (age 37)
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
Total24
Wins17
By knockout7
By submission1
By decision9
Losses5
By knockout1
By decision4
Draws2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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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

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Early career

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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

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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

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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] 9 out of 18 media outlets scored the bout for both Rodriguez and Esparza.[24]

Rodriguez faced Amanda Ribas, replacing Michelle Waterson, on January 24, 2021, at UFC 257.[25] Rodriguez won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[26] This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.[27]

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.[28][29] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[30]

Rodriguez faced Mackenzie Dern on October 9, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 194.[31] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[32] This fight earned her the Fight of the Night award.[33]

Rodriguez faced Yan Xiaonan on March 5, 2022, at UFC 272.[34] She won the fight via split decision.[35]

Rodriguez was expected to face Amanda Lemos at UFC 280,[36] but the bout was postponed to UFC Fight Night 214 for unknown reasons.[37] She lost the fight via technical knockout in the third round.[38]

Rodriguez was scheduled to face Virna Jandiroba on May 6, 2023, at UFC 288.[39] She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[40]

Rodriguez faced Michelle Waterson-Gomez in a rematch on September 23, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 228.[41] She won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[42] This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.[43]

Rodriguez faced former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Jéssica Andrade on April 13, 2024, at UFC 300.[44] She lost the bout by split decision.[45]

Rodriguez faced Iasmin Lucindo on October 5, 2024 at UFC 307.[46] She lost the fight by split decision.[47] 8 out of 13 media outlets scored the bout for Rodriguez.[48]

Championships and awards

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Mixed martial arts

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
24 matches 17 wins 5 losses
By knockout 7 1
By submission 1 0
By decision 9 4
Draws 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 17–5–2 Iasmin Lucindo Decision (split) UFC 307 October 5, 2024 3 5:00 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
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 Rodriguez was deducted one point in round 1 due to repeated eye pokes.
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.

[49]

See also

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References

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  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. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  3. ^ a b "Marina Rodriguez | UFC". UFC.com. 14 September 2018. 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. ^ "Rankings | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  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 (22 March 2019). "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 (23 October 2019). "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. ^ MMA Decisions (2020-07-27). "MMA Decisions - Carla Esparza defeats Marina Rodriguez". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  25. ^ Diego Ribas (2020-12-08). "UFC books fight between Amanda Ribas and Marina Rodriguez for January". agfight.com. Retrieved 2020-12-09. (in Portuguese)
  26. ^ Evanoff, Josh (2021-01-23). "UFC 257 Results: Marina Rodriguez Upsets Amanda Ribas". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
  27. ^ a b Stephie Haynes (2021-01-24). "UFC 257 post-fight bonuses: Poirier stops McGregor in second round". bloodyelbow.com. Archived from the original on 2021-01-29. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
  28. ^ 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.
  29. ^ Marcelo Alonso (May 5, 2021). "Marina Rodriguez Received New Contract After Helping Save UFC on ESPN 24 Main Event". Sherdog.
  30. ^ Doherty, Dan (2021-05-08). "UFC Vegas 26 Results: Marina Rodriguez Withstands Late Push from Michelle Waterson". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
  31. ^ "Marina Rodriguez vs. Mackenzie Dern headlines UFC Fight in October". MMA Junkie. 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  32. ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-10-09). "UFC Vegas 39 Results: Marina Rodriguez Fends Off Mackenzie Dern, Wins Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
  33. ^ 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.
  34. ^ DNA, MMA (2021-12-29). "Marina Rodriguez vs. Yan Xiaonan toegevoegd aan UFC 272 in Las Vegas". MMA DNA. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  35. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-03-05). "UFC 272: Strong Second Half by Marina Rodriguez Secures Victory Against Yan Xiaonan". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  36. ^ 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.
  37. ^ 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.
  38. ^ 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.
  39. ^ Calhoun, Curtis (2023-02-22). "Mackenzie Dern & Marina Rodriguez Have Next Fights Booked". MMA News. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
  40. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-05-06). "UFC 288: Virna Jandiroba Smothers Marina Rodriguez with Wrestling". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  41. ^ 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. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  42. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-09-23). "UFC Vegas 79: Marina Rodriguez Batters, Bloodies Tough-As-Nails Michelle Waterson-Gomez". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
  43. ^ a b "UFC Fight Night 228 bonuses: Marina Rodriguez's bloody beatdown takes $50K". MMA Junkie. 2023-09-24. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
  44. ^ Mike Heck (2024-01-26). "Jessica Andrade vs. Marina Rodriguez set for UFC 300". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  45. ^ Anderson, Jay (2024-04-13). "UFC 300: Jessica Andrade Picks Up Second Straight Win, Decisions Marina Rodriguez". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  46. ^ Guilherme Cruz (2024-07-23). "Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo booked for UFC 307". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  47. ^ Jay Anderson (2024-10-05). "UFC 307: Iasmin Lucindo Gets Step Up, Moves Past Marina Rodriguez". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  48. ^ MMA Decisions (2024-10-06). "MMA Decisions - Iasmin Lucindo defeats Marina Rodriguez". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  49. ^ Sherdog.com. "Marina Rodriguez MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
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