- George Chung
- Apr 12, 2024
- 2 min read
Recently, Marina Rodriguez assured her followers on social media that her increased online activity would not detract from her primary focus on training and competing at UFC 300. "My main focus remains on training and fighting."
Rodriguez, recognized for both her stoic demeanor and fighting skill, felt it necessary to confirm that her career priorities remain unchanged. While fans might see more personal content from her, Rodriguez humorously noted that this was no departure from her true self. She has even joked about her serious image, famously broken once by Michelle Waterson-Gomez during a promotional event, despite usually maintaining her composure until after her fights.
Her disciplined approach to fighting has been fruitful. Beginning her training just over a decade ago and turning professional after two years, Rodriguez quickly made a name for herself with ten straight victories. A notable win on the Brazilian edition of Dana White's Contender Series in 2018 earned her a UFC contract, and she has been a formidable competitor in the 115-pound category ever since.
Over the past six years, Rodriguez has consistently performed in main events, securing victories against prominent fighters like Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas. Despite a close split decision loss to Carla Esparza, she has proven her potential to vie for the championship, especially with a recent win over Yan Xiaonan.
Rodriguez is determined to keep pushing toward a title shot, energized by competing on the same card as Xiaonan. "It's extra motivation to showcase my skills and win," she shared with UFC.com.
Her next challenge is Jéssica Andrade, a seasoned opponent known for her dynamic fighting style and string of performance bonuses. Rodriguez, who has previously trained with Andrade and shares a manager with her, remarked on the intriguing aspects of facing someone so familiar. "We've analyzed each of her fights in detail," she noted, expressing excitement about deciphering the strategies of their upcoming bout.
As they prepare to face off on the undercard of the star-studded UFC 300 event, Rodriguez is confident of making an impact, recalling how she previously outshone Conor McGregor at UFC 257. "Great cards inspire me to perform at my best," she concluded, hinting at the possibility of earning another fight night bonus with her performance.
