Mike Rodríguez (fighter)

Michael Earl Rodríguez (born November 28, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the light heavyweight division. He has formerly competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Early career
Rodríguez started his professional MMA career in 2013 and fought under Classic Entertainment & Sports (CES MMA) and Cage Titans promoters in the northeast region of United States. He achieved a record of 8–2 in Dana White's Contender Series.

Dana White's Contender Series
Rodríguez appeared in Dana White's Contender Series 5 web-series program, facing Jamelle Jones on August 8, 2017. He won the fight via a flying-knee knockout and earned a UFC contract.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Rodríguez made his UFC debut on April 7, 2018, at UFC 223, facing Devin Clark. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Rodríguez's second UFC fight was on December 15, 2018, at UFC on Fox: Lee vs. Iaquinta 2 against Adam Milstead. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Rodríguez faced John Allan on July 13, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: de Randamie vs. Ladd. He originally lost the fight via unanimous decision, however, Allen tested positive for a banned hormone and metabolic modulator tamoxifen for which he received a one-year USADA suspension and was fined $4,800 by the California State Athletic Commission which overruled the original decision to a no contest.

Rodríguez faced Da Un Jung on December 21, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 165. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Rodríguez faced Marcin Prachnio on August 22, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 15. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Rodríguez faced Ed Herman on September 12, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 177. He lost the fight via a kimura in round three. Due to a controversial decision by the referee to pause the fight in the second round after mistaking a clean shot from Rodríguez for a low blow, the organization awarded Rodríguez his win bonus despite the loss. Subsequently, Rodríguez's team also appealed the loss with the NSAC. In turn, the request for an appeal was denied.

Rodríguez faced Danilo Marques on February 6, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 184. He lost the fight via rear-naked choke in round two.

Rodríguez faced Tafon Nchukwi on September 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 192. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

After the loss, Rodríguez was released by the UFC.