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Daniel Rodriguez discusses time in Mexican prison on Joe Rogan's podcast

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 2, 2026, 10:46 PM

Last updated Jun 2, 2026

Daniel Rodriguez discusses time in Mexican prison on Joe Rogan's podcast

Summary

UFC welterweight contender Daniel Rodriguez shared details about his time in a Tijuana prison during a recent appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast. After being detained for possession while attempting to cross the border, Rodriguez spent eight months behind bars. He recounted receiving an 'upgrade' to a better cell after paying $3,000 to a cartel leader, for whom he served as a bodyguard. Rodriguez's release comes just in time for his main event fight against Uros Medic in Serbia, marking a significant turnaround since his incarceration.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Daniel Rodriguez was incarcerated in Tijuana for eight months.
•He paid $3,000 to a cartel leader for better prison conditions.
•Rodriguez served as a bodyguard for the cartel leader during his incarceration.
•He is set to fight Uros Medic in his first UFC main event in Serbia.

Latest Updates

10:46 PMYahoo Sports — Video: ‘Famous’ UFC fighter reveals he paid $3,000 to get Mexican prison ‘upgrade,’ served as drug Cartel bodyguard

What they're saying

"
“D-Rod” had a wild few months. Two months ago, No. 15-ranked Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight contender Daniel Rodriguez shocked mixed martial arts (MMA) fans when he revealed he had spent eight months incarcerated in a prison in Tijuana, Mexico — and now, he has given a little more insight into his time behind bars. […]
— Yahoo Sports

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