D-Rod Says He Sought Leon Edwards Fight, Plans Callout If He Beats Medic

Daniel Rodriguez revealed during International Fight Week that he had actively sought a bout against Leon Edwards, only to be turned down by Edwards' camp, which chose to pursue other options. The welterweight contender made clear that a victory over Uros Medic would prompt him to make that callout publicly.

Rodriguez, known as D-Rod, carries a 20-5 record and sits at number 14 in the welterweight rankings. The 39-year-old American trains out of 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu and brings a high-output striking game to the division, landing 7.2 significant strikes per minute — one of the higher rates among welterweights. Standing six-foot-one with a 74-inch reach, he fights out of a southpaw stance and also adds modest grappling pressure with 0.51 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Standing in his way is Uros Medic, nicknamed The Doctor, who holds a 13-3 record and represents Kings MMA. The 33-year-old American southpaw is six-foot-one with a 71-inch reach. Medic is notably efficient on the feet, posting a striking accuracy of 60 percent along with 5.59 significant strikes landed per minute, making him a legitimate threat in any standup exchange.

Edwards, meanwhile, sits at number 9 in the welterweight division with a 22-6 record. The 34-year-old from England trains with Team Renegade and fights out of the southpaw stance, standing six-foot-two with a 74-inch reach. His game blends striking with consistent wrestling, averaging 1.18 takedowns per 15 minutes at 54 percent striking accuracy.

Why it matters

• A win for Rodriguez over Medic would give him a credible platform to demand the Edwards fight in a loud, public way.
• Both Rodriguez and Edwards share the same stance, height, and reach, setting up a stylistically intriguing mirror matchup.
• Edwards at number 9 and Rodriguez at number 14 means a future meeting would carry real ranking implications in a crowded welterweight division.