Marina Rodriguez will take on fellow Brazilian, Jessica Andrade at UFC 300! The number 6 ranked strawweight, Rodriguez, is aiming to make her way to the top of the division by claiming a win over the former champion who is ranked number 4 in the division.
Rodriguez last fought inside the Octagon in a rematch against Michelle Waterson-Gomez in September 2023. The two women had previously fought in 2021 where Rodriguez secured a unanimous decision win, and, the rematch saw her finish her opponent in a brutal fight that ended in the second round. Now, as she gears up to continue her journey toward UFC gold, let’s take a look and explore all we know about her relationship status and personal life outside the cage!
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Marina Rodriguez is single and not dating anyone
As per information available online, Marina Rodriguez is currently single and isn’t in a relationship. The 36-year-old Brazilian started her journey in martial arts after her job as a graphic designer forced her to make some lifestyle changes and attempt to lose weight.
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As such, in 2013, she took the first steps towards becoming a fighter when she started training in Muay Thai under Marcio Malko, her long-time coach, and started participating in amateur bouts thereafter. Her background as a youngster who played football, volleyball, handball, and basketball also provided her with an athletic foundation that has served her well in her MMA career.
She began her professional career as an MMA fighter in 2015 where she went undefeated in her home country with a record of 9-0 before appearing in Dana White’s Contender Series Brazil. Her UFC debut came in 2018 against Randa Markos and was a closely contested affair that ended in a majority draw.
After that, she went on a 2-fight win streak with wins over Jessica Aguilar and Tecia Torres before facing another majority draw in her fight against Cynthia Calvillo. She then lost to Carla Esparza before bouncing back and going on another 4-fight win streak against names like Amanda Ribas, Mackenzie Dern, Yan Xiaonan, and Michelle Waterson-Gomez.
Rodriguez’s brother was her inspiration to become a professional athlete
Marina Rodriguez, the UFC’s rising star in the strawweight division, has a remarkable journey that intertwines with her brother’s inspiring story. The Brazilian has two siblings, Gabriel and Roberto, the latter of which led to her finding her love for martial arts and motivation to overcome challenges in her life.
Born with spina bifida, Roberto Alcalde Rodriguez defied the odds to become a two-time Parapan American gold medalist, serving as an inspiration for Marina’s athletic pursuits.
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As such, in an interview with MMA Fighting in 2019, Marina stated, “He’s one of my biggest motivations when I decided on becoming an athlete, knowing how hard he worked, and to have him always rooting and helping me, is everything.”
Her brother, Roberto, played a pivotal role in her journey, providing support and guidance as she navigated the challenges of professional fighting. Roberto’s dedication to sports and his unwavering commitment to excellence instilled in Marina a similar drive and determination. In conclusion, their journey serves as a reminder that with dedication and perseverance, anything is possible!
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Edited by
Joyita Das