VERACRUZ, MEXICO – Ronaldo “Lazy Boy” Rodriguez has become one of the UFC’s most exciting rising stars, but his path to the octagon was not typical. His journey from the streets of Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, to the world stage of the Mixed Martial Arts was inspired by something unexpected: a movie. Rodriguez’s passion for fighting was ignited after watching Never Back Down, a film that profoundly influenced the fighter he would become.
During an interview on the popular“Creativo” podcast hosted by Roberto Martinez, Rodriguez talked about his background, the obstacles he’s overcome and how a Hollywood movie became a key source of motivation on his path to success in UFC. It wasn’t the first time he shared parts of his story, but this interview shed new light on how pivotal Never Back Down was in shaping his career.
The Humble Beginnings Of A Fighter
Born in the rural town of Jiquipilas, Chiapas, one of Mexico’s poorest states, Rodriguez’s early life was a constant struggle. Raised by a single mother, Rodriguez lived in a community with little access to electricity or infrastructure. His family, like many in the region, were agricultural workers who grew corn and squash. By the time Rodríguez was seven years old, it was clear that his future in Chiapas was limited.
In search of better opportunities, Rodriguez and his mother moved to Veracruz. It was there that Rodríguez’s life began to change, although not without difficulties. His mother found work as a housekeeper and Rodriguez himself began to take on more responsibility than most children his age. By the age of eight, Rodriguez realized that if anything was going to change for him and his mother, it was up to him to make it happen.
“My mom gave me the opportunity to get out of town,” Rodriguez explained.. “She was both a mother and a father to me. She took the risk to step out of her comfort zone and leave town so she could give her son a better life.”
- Photo courtesy of mmajunkie.com/Danny Segura
Introduction to Mixed Martial Arts
Initially, Rodriguez was drawn to boxing, just like his idol Julio Cesar Chavez. However, there were no boxing gyms in his area and, instead, he found himself training at a Mixed Martial Arts gym. At the age of 14 , Rodriguez participated in his first amateur fight, which would become the first step in a long and grueling journey to professional success.
“Four months into training, I had my first amateur fight,” Rodriguez recalled. “I had about 22 of those fights before I turned pro.”
Despite his dedication, life in Veracruz was not easy. Rodriguez soon felt the limitations of the local fight scene and knew that if he wanted to pursue his dream seriously, he had to move to Mexico City. At 17, he left home and found himself living in a gym, training several times a day while working part-time as a waiter and selling gelatinas (traditional Mexican desserts) to support himself.
“I would sell them in the gym to my training partners, to the kids, and I would also sell them in the parks or on the trucks,” Rodriguez said. “I got that from my mom. She was always a hard worker and I had a good example to follow.”
The movie that changed everything
When Rodriguez first saw Never Back Down as a kid, his focus was on the action. “At the time, I was just looking at the muscles and the girls,” he admitted, laughing at his younger self. But the movie stayed with him, and when he revisited it as an adult, it took on a whole new meaning.
“Watching Never Back Down again as an adult really opened my eyes. I saw it differently: it was about never giving up. Respect doesn’t come from beating people up; it comes from showing heart and determination,” Rodriguez explained.
For Rodriguez, the message of the film was simple but profound: true strength in the fight comes not only from physical power, but from discipline, perseverance and heart. This realization was a turning point. He decided to shift his focus from boxing to mixed martial arts, fully embracing the values portrayed in the film.
The character’s resilience and determination mirrored Rodriguez’s own struggles growing up. Like the film’s protagonist, Rodriguez had faced adversity throughout his childhood and early career. Raised by a single mother in a difficult environment, he knew from an early age that if he wanted to make something of himself, it would be through his own hard work.
Living In The Gym And Selling Desserts
Rodriguez’s gym in Veracruz was affiliated with ADAM, a gym in Mexico City run by the brothers René y Daniel Diosdado. They welcomed the young fighter and allowed him to live at the gym. For the next four years, Rodriguez trained several times a day, living and breathing MMA.
“I was training all day because that was all I had,” he said.
Money was tight and Rodriguez supported himself by working as a waiter and selling gelatinas, a popular Mexican dessert. He sold them to his training partners, in parks and to truck drivers. “I got that from my mom,” Rodriguez explained. “She was always a hard worker and I admire her a lot for that. She is the person who has shaped me the most.”
Early Success And A Setback
From 2017 to 2020, Rodriguez fought 11 times, amassing a 10-1 record. His only loss was by split decision and he even won a local championship belt. His impressive record caught the attention of Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS), a program where top regional fighters compete for a UFC contract. In 2020, Rodriguez got the call to compete on the program and it looked like his big break had arrived.
However, things did not go as planned. Rodriguez lost a unanimous decision to Jerome Rivera, a devastating blow to the young fighter.
“That camp was crazy because it was during the pandemic,” he recalled. “I only had one coach and one training partner. I did the best I could, but I didn’t get the result I wanted.”
Recover
After the loss, Rodriguez returned to the regional scene in Mexico. But instead of letting the setback define him, he put together a five-fight winning streak. His perseverance did not go unnoticed and UFC CEO Dana White eventually offered him a second chance. Rodriguez made his UFC debut against Denys Bondar, winning with a rear-naked choke and solidifying his place in the promotion.
The Origin Of The ‘Lazy Boy’
Despite his ferocious fighting style, Rodriguez is known by the playful nickname of “Lazy Boy“. The name originated from a ground control technique he frequently uses to finish his opponents. “It sounds great in Spanish.” he explained. “In English it’s funny, but in Spanish it makes sense.” With a completion rate of 75%, Rodriguez’s nickname may be ironic, but it speaks to his unique fighting approach.
A promising future
With each fight, Rodriguez continues to impress fans and pundits alike. His recent victory at UFC Night has further cemented his reputation as a rising star in the flyweight division. As Lazy Boy eyes future fights and bigger challenges, his story will inspire countless aspiring fighters to pursue their dreams, no matter where they start.
