Daniel Rodriguez talks scrapped Leon Edwards fight, Uros Medic main event at UFC Belgrade

Daniel Rodriguez had been linked to a potential fight against former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards.

The MMA community was abuzz with speculation that Rodriguez and Edwards could clash at the UFC 329 event on July 11.

Nevertheless, that fight didn't materialize. Also, Rodriguez has instead been booked to face Serbia's Uros Medic in the headlining match of UFC Belgrade, aka UFC Serbia, on August 1. 

Rodriguez recently provided fight fans with some clarity on why his much-discussed clash against Edwards failed to come to fruition. 

Daniel Rodriguez expounds upon why the Leon Edwards fight didn't pan out; talks his post-fight call-out plans for after UFC Belgrade

During a recent conversation with Jake Noecker on Home of Fight, Daniel Rodriguez was asked about whom he sees as possible next opponents for himself. 

The 39-year-old, who asserted that he's signed a new six-fight contract with the UFC, noted that he'd like to fight Leon Edwards and is also open to a rematch against Kevin Holland. 

Affirming that he's willing to face anyone at 170 pounds, Rodriguez stated, "Yeah, man. Fights like Edwards, or a rematch between (me and) Holland, or any guys in the division, man." 

Additionally, upon being questioned about why his rumored UFC 329 matchup against Edwards didn't come to be, Rodriguez said: 

"Yeah, bro. I mean, we wanted the fight. We asked for the fight. You know, I guess on his end, they were leaning towards another direction." 

"D-Rod" indicated that it would've been great if he'd have fought at the UFC 329 event that's set to take place during the UFC's annual International Fight Week. 

Nevertheless, Rodriguez continued, "I got a better opportunity. Another tough matchup as well, you know. And we'll see. We'll definitely be calling him (Leon Edwards) out after." 

Watch Daniel Rodriguez discuss the Leon Edwards matchup and his post-fight call-out plans for after UFC Belgrade below (*comments at the 11:15-minute mark of the video): 

Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez headlines UFC Belgrade -- "D-Rod" competes in first MMA fight after prison stint in Mexico

Daniel Rodriguez's most recent octagon appearance witnessed him defeat fellow striking savant Kevin Holland via unanimous decision in a grueling back-and-forth welterweight war back in July of 2025.

The American fighter is on a three-fight win streak, and many expected him to be featured in another marquee matchup next. That, however, included a brief detour for him.

Back in April of this year, he appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show and opened up about the challenging eight-month period in which he found himself imprisoned in Mexico. 

Additionally, during an appearance on episode No. 180 of the JRE MMA Show, on the Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) podcast a few weeks back, Rodriguez again recounted that the terrifying prison stint is what had kept him away from the octagon. 

Apparently, Rodriguez was imprisoned in Mexico soon after the Holland fight until his release this April. The American athlete explained that he traveled from San Diego to Tijuana, going from the U.S. to the Mexican side in the border region, to celebrate his win over Holland. 

Furthermore, he recalled being stopped by the police, who discovered an ounce of marijuana he had in his backpack. Well, JRE host Joe Rogan and Rodriguez both underlined that the UFC welterweight was unaware that the country's marijuana-related laws were extremely strict, particularly for foreigners. 

The California-born MMA fighter -- who'd self-admittedly been in and out of jail from the age of 15 to 23 -- emphasized that his marijuana arrest in Mexico last year turned out to be a harrowing experience.

The processing area in jail that he was initially moved to was overpopulated and extremely unhygienic, rife with bugs, he recounted. Underlining the "corrupt" system in Mexico, he affirmed that the guards attempted to charge him "seven grand" to shift him to a better place as he navigated through his legal battle. 

Rodriguez said that he'd initially believed he'd be released soon, probably even bribing the authorities as previous experiences in Mexico had taught him. That said, the judicial system was undergoing an election, and the new judges didn't want to risk accepting bribes during that vulnerable period. 

In a nutshell, Rodriguez's incarceration in Mexico extended to several months despite his receiving assistance after his management contacted UFC CBO Hunter Campbell. 

Moreover, Rodriguez was recognized by a guard who realized he's a professional fighter. Also, the UFC staple alluded to a rather eerie happening, wherein he was introduced to a cartel boss whom he paid and befriended, which got him access to several amenities and a protective umbrella in the dangerous prison.

He also worked out with boxing gloves, makeshift boxing bags, mitts, and by running in the yard in prison -- but the junk food and lack of protein left him malnourished by the time he got out. 

Expounding upon his stay behind bars, Rodriguez highlighted he even came across professional h*tmen/contract k*llers as well as a few people who he feel were quite tough and could become fighters. 

Thankfully, Rodriguez's legal battle on foreign soil eventually ended after a supposed settlement at a "hefty" price, and he was able to return to the U.S.A. Claiming that it could've been much worse, he said, "Dude, they were trying to give me six years, bro." 

Currently, Rodriguez is set to compete in his first mixed martial arts matchup since his Mexican prison stint, as he looks to extend his win streak to four by beating Uros Medic in the latter's native Serbia this August. 

Watch Daniel Rodriguez narrate his Mexican prison ordeal to Joe Rogan below: