Early career Rodriguez compiled a 7–0 amateur record as a Welterweight from late 2013 to 2015. Rodriguez later began his professional career in 2015, competing mainly in
Combate Americas, with a one off fight at
Bellator 170. Eventually racking up an 8–1 record, he competed on
Dana White's Contender Series 22, however he did not earn a UFC contract through his unanimous decision win against Rico Farrington. Afterwards, he won the Smash Global Welterweight Championship, before he was given a UFC contract.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Rodriguez made his promotional debut on February 15, 2020, at
UFC Fight Night 167 as a late replacement for
Ramazan Emeev against
Tim Means. Rodriguez won the fight via submission in the second round. This win earned him the
Performance of the Night award. Rodriguez was expected to face
Kevin Holland on May 30, 2020, at
UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Burns. However, on May 26, Holland was forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout with Daniel Rodriguez due to an injury and he was replaced by promotional newcomer
Gabriel Green. Rodriguez won the fight via unanimous decision. Rodriguez was expected to face
Takashi Sato on August 22, 2020, at
UFC on ESPN 15. Despite making the required weight, Sato was not cleared to fight by
Nevada State Athletic Commission medical personnel and he was replaced by
Dwight Grant whose opponent, Calen Born, was pulled from the same event for undisclosed reason. After being knocked down in the beginning of the fight, Rodriguez knocked Grant down multiple times en route to a first-round knockout win. Rodriguez was expected to face
Bryan Barberena on November 14, 2020, at
UFC Fight Night 183. However, Barberena underwent an emergency
laparotomy a week before the event, resulting in the fight being cancelled. Rodriguez instead faced
Nicolas Dalby, replacing Orion Cosce, on November 21, 2020, at
UFC 255. He lost the close fight via unanimous decision. 9 out of 20 media outlets scored the fight for Rodriguez. Rodriguez faced
Mike Perry on April 10, 2021, at
UFC on ABC 2. He won the bout via unanimous decision. Rodriguez was scheduled to face
Abubakar Nurmagomedov on July 17, 2021, at
UFC on ESPN 26. However, Nurmagomedov was forced to withdraw from the event, citing injury. He was replaced by promotional newcomer Preston Parsons. Rodriguez won the fight via technical knockout in round one. Rodriguez faced
Kevin Lee on August 28, 2021, at
UFC on ESPN 30. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Rodriguez was scheduled to face
Kevin Holland on September 10, 2022, at
UFC 279 in a 180-pound catchweight bout. However, the day of the weigh-ins,
Khamzat Chimaev missed weight for his welterweight main event bout with
Nate Diaz by seven-and-a-half pounds. As a result, the UFC was forced to change the card around. Rodriguez instead faced
Li Jingliang, who was originally scheduled to face
Tony Ferguson in the co-main event in a welterweight bout. Rodriguez's bout with Jingliang remained at a 180-pound catchweight. He won the back-and-forth fight via split decision. 21 out of 23 media scores gave it to Jingliang. Rodriguez was scheduled to face
Neil Magny on October 15, 2022, at
UFC Fight Night 212. However, Rodriguez withdrew from the bout due to elbow infection. The bout was rescheduled for
UFC Fight Night 214 on November 5. He lost the fight via D'Arce choke submission in the third round. Rodriguez was scheduled to face
Gunnar Nelson on March 18, 2023, at
UFC 286. However, Rodriguez withdrew from the event for undisclosed reasons and he was replaced by
Bryan Barberena. Rodriguez faced
Ian Garry on May 13, 2023, at
UFC on ABC 4. He lost the bout via technical knockout in the first round. Rodriguez was scheduled to face
Santiago Ponzinibbio on September 16, 2023, at
UFC Fight Night 227. However, Rodriguez was pulled from the bout by
USADA after testing positive for the banned substance
ostarine. He was given a 6-month suspension and will be eligible to fight again on January 28, 2024. Rodriguez faced
Kelvin Gastelum on June 22, 2024, at
UFC on ABC 6. The bout was changed to a middleweight bout due to Gastelum having issues cutting weight. He lost the fight by unanimous decision. Rodriguez faced
Alex Morono on October 12, 2024, at
UFC Fight Night 244. He won the fight by split decision. Rodriguez faced
Santiago Ponzinibbio on May 3, 2025, at
UFC on ESPN 67. He won the fight by technical knockout in the third round. Rodriguez faced
Kevin Holland on July 19, 2025, at
UFC 318. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Rodriguez is scheduled to face former
UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards on July 11, 2026 at
UFC 329. ==Championships and accomplishments==