Imanol Rodriguez
Mexico
25-years-old
5-0
100% finish rate (4 KO/TKOs, 1 Submission)
Combined opponents’ record: 20-9
Pros
-Fast hands
-Heavy hands
-Explosive
-Thrives in chaos
-Good bodywork
-Throws in combinations
-Excellent finishing ability
Cons
-Too willing to exchange
-Leads with his head at times
Rodriguez’s rapid rise has sparked debate—has this opportunity come too soon? At just 25 years old, with only five professional fights and a little over two years in MMA, he’s still young in the sport. However, his résumé is undeniably impressive: a flawless 5-0 record, a 100% finish rate, and a recent victory over a durable veteran. Beyond MMA, he brings a wealth of combat experience—an undefeated pro boxing record (2-0), three Sambo world championships, and three Pan-American titles.
At his core, Rodriguez is a striker. While he occasionally throws opponents to the mat, it’s more about resetting the pace than controlling position. His style is chaotic yet calculated—he thrives in wild exchanges, launching power shots with both hands, attacking the body, and mixing up angles. He’s relentless, with legitimate finishing ability, and when he hurts an opponent, he knows how to close the show. His durability and knockout power allow him to take risks, and he is willing to absorb damage in pursuit of the finish.
Rodriguez’s game is straightforward—about 60% chaos, 40% technique. He’s the type of fighter you’d bet on because he puts everything on the line. However, there are still unanswered questions. How will he fare in deep waters? How will he handle an elite wrestler? What does his ground game truly look like? This fight may have come sooner than ideal, but regardless of the outcome, it’s a crucial learning experience for Rodriguez.
“It’s a dream. I’m ready. I’m paying the price, and very happy to be here. Very, very excited,” Rodriguez said about appearing on The Ultimate Fighter 33. As far as keeping the hype from going to his head, “I think I’ve been doing a good job of this. I don’t let that get to me, it’s just another day of work. You continue to do the work that you’ve put in before. You do what you’ve been doing, it’s been working. Right now, I don’t see this as more than a day at the job, a job you need to do to get there. To me, this is paperwork that I need to do to get that contract. This is my moment, my dream, and my story, and that’s what it is. I came here to sign those papers and get that contract.”
