UFC's Ricco Rodriguez -- DUI Tap-Out

Ex-UFC champ Ricco Rodriguez has just dodged the strong arm of the law in his drunk driving arrest ... TMZ has learned.

The "Celebrity Rehab" Season 1 alum was arrested in March on suspicion of DUI.

Rico copped a deal, and pled no contest to "wet reckless" -- reckless driving involving alcohol. It's not as serious as DUI, but gets the point across. The DUI charges were dropped.

The former champ won't spend any time in the pokey, but he will be on probation for 3 years. And he was socked with the obligatory $300 fine and a 12-hour alcohol ed program.