For the weightlifter, see Marina Rodríguez (weightlifter).
Marina Rodriguez
Birth nameMarina Alcalde Rodriguez[1]
Birth dateApril 29, 1987 (age 39)
Birth placeBagé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil[2]
Fighting out ofFlorianópolis, Brazil[1]
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight lb115
Weight classStrawweight (2015–2025)
Flyweight (2021)
Reach65 in[2]
RankPurple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[3] under Alexandre de Souza[4]
Dark blue with black tip belt in Muay Thai[3]
TeamThai Brasil
AS Team (Jiu-Jitsu)[1]
TrainerAlexandre de Souza (Jiu-Jitsu coach)
Marcio Malko (Muay Thai)[1]
Years active2015–2025
Mma kowin7
Mma subwin1
Mma decwin9
Mma koloss2
Mma decloss4
Mma draw2
Sherdog193977

Marina Alcalde Rodriguez[1] (born April 29, 1987) is a Brazilian former mixed martial artist. She competed in the women's Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), achieving a 7–6–2 record with the promotion.

Background

Rodriguez was born in Bagé, Brazil.[5] She has two brothers, Gabriel and Roberto, the latter a two-time Parapan American Games gold medalist in swimming.[5] In her youth, Rodriguez played football, volleyball, 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. She then found her current coach, Marcio Malko.[6] Eventually, she joined a muay Thai class in 2013 and soon thereafter started taking amateur bouts.[5]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

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.[7]

Dana White's Contender Series

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.[8] She won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[9]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Rodriguez made her UFC debut on September 22, 2018, against Randa Markos at UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders.[10] The back and forth contest was ultimately ruled a majority draw.[11]

Rodriguez next faced Jessica Aguilar on March 30, 2019, at UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje against.[12] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[13]

Rodriguez faced Tecia Torres on August 10, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 156.[14] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[15]

Rodriguez faced Cynthia Calvillo, replacing an injured Cláudia Gadelha, on December 7, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 7.[16] 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.[17] After three rounds of fighting, the bout ended with a majority draw.[18]

Rodriguez was expected to face former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza on July 15, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 172.[19] However the bout was cancelled after one of Rodriguez's cornermen tested positive for COVID-19.[20] The pair eventually fought at UFC on ESPN 14 on July 26, 2020.[21] Rodriguez lost the fight via split decision.[22] 9 out of 18 media outlets scored the bout for both Rodriguez and Esparza.[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]

Rodriguez faced Iasmin Lucindo on October 5, 2024 at UFC 307.[45] She lost the fight by split decision.[46] 8 out of 13 media outlets scored the bout for Rodriguez.[47]

Rodriguez faced Gillian Robertson on May 3, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 67.[48] She lost the fight by technical knockout in the second round and subsequently announced her retirement from mixed martial arts competition.[49]

Championships and awards

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

|- |Loss |align=center|17–6–2 |Gillian Robertson |TKO (punches) |UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo |May 3, 2025 |align=center|2 |align=center|2:07 |Des Moines, Iowa, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|17–5–2 |Iasmin Lucindo |Decision (split) |UFC 307 |October 5, 2024 |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|17–4–2 |Jéssica Andrade |Decision (split) |UFC 300 |April 13, 2024 |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Win |align=center|17–3–2 |Michelle Waterson-Gomez |TKO (elbows and punches) |UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Gamrot |September 23, 2023 |align=center|2 |align=center|2:42 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |Performance of the Night. |- |Loss |align=center|16–3–2 |Virna Jandiroba |Decision (unanimous) |UFC 288 |May 6, 2023 |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Newark, New Jersey, United States | |- |Loss |align=center|16–2–2 |Amanda Lemos |TKO (punches) |UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Lemos |November 5, 2022 |align=center|3 |align=center|0:54 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Win |align=center|16–1–2 |Yan Xiaonan |Decision (split) |UFC 272 |March 5, 2022 |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Win |align=center|15–1–2 |Mackenzie Dern |Decision (unanimous) |UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez |October 9, 2021 |align=center|5 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |Return to Strawweight. Fight of the Night. |- |Win |align=center|14–1–2 |Michelle Waterson-Gomez |Decision (unanimous) |UFC on ESPN: Rodriguez vs. Waterson |May 8, 2021 |align=center|5 |align=center|5:00 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |Flyweight debut. |- |Win |align=center|13–1–2 |Amanda Ribas |TKO (elbow and punches) |UFC 257 |January 24, 2021 |align=center|2 |align=center|0:54 |Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |Performance of the Night. |- |Loss |align=center|12–1–2 |Carla Esparza |Decision (split) |UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till |July 26, 2020 |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |- |Draw |align=center|12–0–2 |Cynthia Calvillo |Draw (majority) |UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik |December 7, 2019 |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Washington, D.C., United States |Catchweight (120.5 lb) bout; Calvillo missed weight. |- |Win |align=center|12–0–1 |Tecia Torres |Decision (unanimous) |UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2 |August 10, 2019 |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Montevideo, Uruguay | |- |Win |align=center|11–0–1 |Jessica Aguilar |Decision (unanimous) |UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje |March 30, 2019 |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |Rodriguez was deducted one point in round 1 due to repeated eye pokes. |- |Draw |align=center|10–0–1 |Randa Markos |Draw (majority) |UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders |September 22, 2018 |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |São Paulo, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center|10–0 |Maria de Oliveira Neta |TKO (punches) |Dana White's Contender Series Brazil 2 |August 11, 2018 |align=center|1 |align=center|3:03 |Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- |Win |align=center|9–0 |Natália Silva |Decision (unanimous) |Thunder Fight 14 |December 16, 2017 |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |São Paulo, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center|8–0 |Amanda Torres Sardinha |Decision (unanimous) |Shooto Brazil 79 |December 10, 2017 |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center|7–0 |Samara Santos Cunha |Decision (unanimous) |Fight 2 Night 2 |April 28, 2017 |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center|6–0 |Paula Vieira da Silva |TKO (punches) |Curitiba Top Fight 10 |February 24, 2017 |align=center|1 |align=center|4:50 |Curitiba, Brazil |Catchweight (121 lb) bout. |- |Win |align=center|5–0 |Vanessa Guimaraes |Submission (triangle choke) |Aspera FC 41 |July 9, 2016 |align=center|2 |align=center|1:47 |São José, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center|4–0 |Márcia Oliveira |TKO (punches) |Floripa FC: The Big Challenge |June 4, 2016 |align=center|1 |align=center|1:42 |Florianópolis, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center|3–0 |Caroline Silva |TKO (knee and punches) |Aspera FC 33 |March 19, 2016 |align=center|2 |align=center|0:47 |São José, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center|2–0 |Caroline Silva |Decision (unanimous) |Aspera FC 24 |September 12, 2015 |align=center|3 |align=center|5:00 |São José, Brazil | |- |Win |align=center|1–0 |Silvania Monteiro |TKO (retirement) |São José Super Fight 6 |March 28, 2015 |align=center|1 |align=center|5:00 |São José, Brazil |Strawweight debut. |-

[51]

See also

References

  1. ^ "UFC Sao Paulo: Get to know unbeaten Brazilian newcomer Marina Rodriguez". MMA Junkie. 2018-09-22. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  2. ^ "Marina Rodriguez | UFC". www.ufc.com. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  3. ^ "Marina Rodriguez | UFC". UFC.com. 14 September 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  4. ^ ""(...) No domingo passado recebi a faixa roxa de Jiu jitsu das mãos do meu professor @alexandresouzateam (...)"". December 2, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  5. ^ Guilherme Cruz (December 7, 2019). "UFC strawweight Marina Rodriguez inspired by brother's para-swimming success". mmafighting.com.
  6. ^ Blaine Henry (October 23, 2021). "Marina Rodriguez: Hard Work Pays Off". Fight-Library.com.
  7. ^ Sherdog.com. "Marina Rodriguez MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  8. ^ Myers, Thomas (2018-08-22). "UFC's 'Contender Series' continues with three Brazilian-inspired episodes". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  9. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2018-08-31). "Dana White's Contender Series Brazil results: Season 1, Week 2 (spoilers)". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "UFC Sao Paulo results: Randa Markos, Marina Rodriguez battle to hard-fought majority draw". MMAjunkie. 2018-09-22. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
  12. ^ DNA, MMA (22 March 2019). "Jessica Aguilar vervangt Alexa Grasso tegen Marina Rodriguez tijdens UFC Philadelphia". Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  13. ^ "UFC Philadelphia: Marina Rodriguez bloodies Jessica Aguilar for dominant decision". MMA Junkie. 2019-03-30. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Harshman, Heath (2019-08-10). "UFC Uruguay Results: Marina Rodriguez Stays Undefeated, Defeats Tecia Torres by Unanimous Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  16. ^ Redactie (23 October 2019). "Marina Rodriguez replaces Claudia Gadelha against Cynthia Calvillo during UFC Washington". mmadan.nl. Retrieved 2019-10-24.(in Dutch)
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ "UFC on ESPN 7 results: Cynthia Calvillo vs. Marina Rodriguez ends in majority draw". MMA Junkie. 2019-12-08. Retrieved 2020-01-29.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ "Carla Esparza vs. Marina Rodriguez reset for July 25 UFC show in Abu Dhabi". MMA Junkie. 2020-07-05. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  22. ^ Fuentes, Jon (2020-07-25). "UFC Fight Island 3 Results: Carla Esparza Edges Out Marina Rodriguez". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-07-26.
  23. ^ MMA Decisions (2020-07-27). "MMA Decisions - Carla Esparza defeats Marina Rodriguez". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  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. ^ 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.
  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. ^ "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. Archived from the original on 2023-02-22. 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. ^ "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. ^ Guilherme Cruz (2024-07-23). "Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo booked for UFC 307". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  46. ^ Jay Anderson (2024-10-05). "UFC 307: Iasmin Lucindo Gets Step Up, Moves Past Marina Rodriguez". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  47. ^ MMA Decisions (2024-10-06). "MMA Decisions - Iasmin Lucindo defeats Marina Rodriguez". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  48. ^ Jay Anderson (2025-02-02). "UFC: Marina Rodriguez to Face Gillian Robertson on May 3". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  49. ^ Staff (2025-05-03). "UFC Des Moines: Gillian Robertson Dominates Marina Rodriguez, Rodriquez Retires". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  50. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (December 23, 2021). "The 10 Best Fighters Of 2021". Ultimate Fighting Championship. Archived January 6, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  51. ^ Sherdog.com. "Marina Rodriguez MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-10-10.