Donchenko calls out Rodriguez, targets UFC 335 matchup before year's end

Daniil Donchenko is making his ambitions clear, publicly calling out ranked welterweight Daniel "D-Rod" Rodriguez and naming UFC 335 in December as his preferred target for the matchup.

Donchenko, who stands five-foot-eleven with a 71-inch reach, has gone 4-0 inside the UFC and carries an overall professional record of 16-2. The 25-year-old orthodox striker has been one of the more efficient finishers in the welterweight division, landing 7.14 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 61 percent — a number that stands out at any level of the sport. He issued the callout directly through his own social media, making clear he wants Rodriguez before the year is out.

Rodriguez, for his part, has already responded online, suggesting he is not opposed to the idea. The 39-year-old southpaw from the United States trains out of 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu and holds a record of 20-6. Currently ranked 14th in the welterweight division, D-Rod is a six-foot-one fighter with a 74-inch reach who produces an impressive 7.2 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy, making him one of the higher-volume strikers in the division.

Why it matters

• Donchenko's perfect UFC run gives him leverage to demand a ranked opponent, and landing Rodriguez would instantly elevate his profile in the welterweight picture.
• A win over a top-15 fighter could push Donchenko into the rankings for the first time and set up bigger opportunities in 2027.
• The style matchup is intriguing — both men are high-output strikers, with Donchenko's accuracy advantage potentially countering Rodriguez's volume and southpaw angles.
• UFC 335 in December provides a natural timeline, though no bout agreement has been reported and nothing is official at this stage.