Nick Rodriguez Explained

Nick Rodriguez
Birth Name:Nicholas Pete Rodriguez
Other Names:Nicky Rod
The Black Belt Slayer
Birth Date:30 August 1996
Birth Place:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Residence:Austin, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in
Weight:220 lb
Relatives:Jay Rodriguez (brother)
Team:B Team Jiu Jitsu
Rank:[1]
Wrestling:NCAA Division III wrestling

Nicholas Pete Rodriguez (born August 30, 1996)[2] is an American professional submission grappler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) black belt, commonly known as Nicky Rod.

A former amateur wrestler, Rodriguez won in 2018 the ADCC West Coast Trials to qualify for the 2019 ADCC Submission Fighting World Championships, where he won silver, while still a BJJ blue belt.[3] He won silver again at the 2022 ADCC World.[4]

Early life and education

Nicholas Pete Rodriguez was born on August 30, 1996 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,[5] raised in Clayton, New Jersey, and attended Clayton High School.[6] Rodriguez began wrestling in sixth grade.[7]

Amateur wrestling career

High school career

Rodriguez was a wrestler in high school. He qualified for the NJSIAA championships as a senior but did not place.[8]

Collegiate career

After high school, Rodriguez attended Ferrum College, that has an NCAA Division III wrestling program. In between his last match as a high school wrestler and his first match as a collegiate wrestler, he gained 50 pounds, going from 170 to 220 pounds. Rodriguez attended college for one year, during which he placed fourth at the East Regionals and had a record of 23 wins and 4 losses.[9] After college, he decided to pursue a modeling career with Wilhelmina Models.[10]

Post-collegiate career

Rodriguez returned to wrestling on October 5, 2019, when he faced that year's USA Wrestling World Team Member Pat Downey in a super-fight under freestyle rules at Who's Number One.[11] He lost the match by technical fall.[12]

Professional grappling career

2018

In 2018, Rodriguez was persuaded by a friend to attend his first jiu-jitsu class to stay fit. After two weeks of training, he attended his first submission wrestling competition and went on to win the advanced 230 pounds and absolute brackets.[13] [14] A few months later, he moved to Renzo Gracie Academy with coach John Danaher, who awarded him his blue belt later on.

After a failed attempt to qualify for the ADCCs, Rodriguez competed at the IBJJF World Championship in the blue belt division. He defeated all three of his opponents to win the championship.[15]

2019

As a blue belt, Rodriguez qualified for the 2019 ADCC World Championships after winning the North American trials.[16] He defeated three notable jiu-jitsu black belts in Mahamed Aly, Orlando Sanchez, and Cyborg Abreu to make it to the finals,[17] where he lost to black belt IBJJF World Champion Kaynan Duarte on points, earning him 2nd place in the tournament.[18] He was promoted to purple belt on the ADCC podium by his coach Jay Regalbuto. Rodriguez became known by the nickname "Black Belt Slayer".[19]

He competed against Duarte in a rematch at Fight 2 Win, which he lost.[20] He also competed at the BJJ Fanatics Grand Prix.[21]

2020

After his bronze medal finish at the KASAI Pro 7,[22] Rodriguez was scheduled to face 2019 US World Team Member Pat Downey at Third Coast Grappling IV in a special ruleset match on March 14.[23] However, the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[24]

He then competed at Third Coast Grappling: Kumite IV on July 11. He was eliminated in the first round.[25]

In December, 2020, Rodriguez moved to Puerto Rico with the rest of his teammates to continue training under John Danaher.[26]

2021

Rodriguez competed against Yuri Simões in the co-main event of Who's Number One on March 26, 2021.[27] Rodriguez won the match by decision.[28] He was then invited to compete in an absolute grand prix at Third Coast Grappling 6 on April 3, 2021.[29] Rodriguez defeated Pedro Marinho by decision in the opening round before losing a decision to Victor Hugo in the semi-final.[30] In July, news broke that the Danaher Death Squad were splitting up.[31] Rodriguez elected to continue training with Craig Jones, Ethan Crelinsten, and Nicky Ryan.[32] The four grapplers opened up a new gym in Austin, Texas under the name B Team Jiu Jitsu in August, 2021.[33] Shortly afterward, Rodriguez was invited to compete at the 2022 ADCC World Championship.[34] On December 30, 2021, Rodriguez competed against UFC veteran Steve Mowry at Fury Pro Grappling 3 and submitted him with a rear-naked choke at 5:30.[35]

2022

Rodriguez faced Elder Cruz at Who's Number One: Jones v Marinho on January 21, 2022, and lost the match by split decision.[36] Shortly after this, Rodriguez was promoted to brown belt in BJJ.[37] Rodriguez competed in the over 99kg division of ADCC 2022, defeating Damon Ramos on points and submitting John Hansen with a rear-naked choke on the first day. On the second day he defeated Felipe Pena on points in the semi-final, but was submitted by Gordon Ryan in the final and came away with a silver medal.[38] He was then invited to compete at EBI 20: The Absolutes on October 23, 2021.[39] Rodriguez won the tournament by defeating Ezeqiual Zurita, Luke Griffith, Austin Baker, and Kyle Boehm in one night.[40] On December 15, 2022, Rodriguez was scheduled to compete in another absolute tournament at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 3.[41] However, Vinny Magalhães withdrew from the main event match against Gordon Ryan and Rodriguez agreed to step in to replace him instead.[42] Neither man could finish the fight in regulation time and the match went to EBI overtime, where Gordon Ryan won by fastest escape time.[43] Ryan would accuse Rodriguez of 'greasing' during their match. Rodriguez denied that accusation on an episode Mark Bell's Power Project Podcast in February 2023.[44]

2023

Rodriguez stepped in on two days' notice to replace Gordon Ryan against Felipe Pena in the main event of Who's Number One on February 25, 2023.[45] He lost the match by unanimous decision.[46] Rodriguez was then invited to compete in an openweight tournament at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 on June 29, 2023.[47] He defeated Roberto Jimenez, Vagner Rocha, and Dan Manasoiu to win the tournament.[48] Rodriguez then competed at Quintet 4 on September 10, 2023 as part of The B-Team Bulls.[49] Rodriguez drew both of his matches but his team won the tournament.[50] Rodriguez was scheduled to compete against 3 competitors: Jake Lowry, Cody Gamble, and Zack Humbertson, in a series of matches at Sprawl in the Burgh 2 on October 20, 2023.[51] He won all three. Rodriguez then competed against Yuri Simões at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 5 on December 10, 2023.[52] He won the match on points.[53]

2024

Rodriguez competed against Victor Hugo in the main event of Who's Number One 22 on February 9, 2024.[54] He lost the match by decision.[55] Rodriguez competed against Roberto Jimenez in the co-main event of UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6 on March 3, 2024.[56] He won the match on points.[57] Rodriguez competed against Mason Fowler in the main event of UFC Fight Pass Invitational 7 on May 15, 2024.[58] He won the match on points.[59] Rodriguez was invited to compete in the over 99kg division of the 2024 ADCC World Championship on August 17-18, 2024.[60] However, he later withdrew from the event in order to compete in the over 80kg division of the Craig Jones Invitational on August 16-17, 2024 instead.[61] Rodriguez submitted Max Gimenis, Owen Livesey, Adam Bradley, and Fellipe Andrew to win the tournament.[62]

Professional wrestling career

On April 24, 2023, Rodriguez revealed that he had attended a tryout for WWE, an American professional wrestling promotion. While it was initially reported that he been accepted to the promotion along with several other athletes who attended the tryout,[63] WWE ultimately passed on signing Rodriguez.

Personal life

Rodriguez's younger brother Jacob, known as Jay or J-Rod, is a B Team Jiu Jitsu competitor.[64] A former two-time state and regional champion in wrestling, he won the 2022 ADCC North American West Coast Trials in the -88kg division.[65] [66]

Championships and accomplishments

Main Achievements[3]

Main Achievements (Colored Belts)[3]

Grappling record

-- width:100%; -->
42 Matches, 37 Wins (17 Submissions), 7 Losses (1 Submission), 2 Draws
ResultRec.OpponentMethodEventDivisionTypeYearLocation
style=background:white colspan=7
Loss37–7–2 Victor Hugo Referee Decision 2021 Third Coast Grappling VI Grand Prix +99 kgNogiApril 4, 2021 Houston, TX
Win37–6–2 Pedro Marinho Referee Decision
Win36–6–2Referee Decision 2021 Who's Number One +99 kgNogi March 26, 2021 Austin, TX
Loss35–6–2Referee Decision2020 Third Coast Grappling: Kumite IV +99 kgNogiJuly 11, 2020 Houston, TX
style=background:white colspan=7
Win35–5–2 Kyle Boehm Points (5–0)2020 KASAI Pro 7 +99 kgNogiFebruary 1, 2020 Dallas, TX
Win34–5–2 Bruno Bastos Submission (heel hook)
Draw33–5–2Draw
Draw33–5–1Draw
Loss33–5 Victor Hugo Referee DecisionFight 2 Win 135 +99 kgNogiJanuary 18, 2020 California, CA
Win33–4Referee DecisionPolaris 12104.3 kgNogiNovember 30, 2019 Newport, WA
style=background:white colspan=7
Loss32–4Overtime (riding time)2019 BJJ Fanatics Submission Only Grand Prix+99 kgNogiNovember 15, 2019 Beverly, MA
Win32–3 Victor Silverio Overtime (rear–naked choke)
Loss31–3 Kaynan Duarte Submission (heel hook)Fight 2 Win 128 +99 kg NogiOctober 19, 2019 Philadelphia, PA
style=background:white colspan=7
Loss31–2 Kaynan Duarte Points (0–3)2019 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships+99 kgNogiSeptember 29, 2019 Anaheim, CA
Win31–1Referee Decision
Win30–1Referee Decision
Win29–1 Mahamed Aly Referee Decision
Win28–1 Jason Reyes Points (15–0)2019 JitzKing Tampa +99 kgNogiJuly 6, 2019 Tampa, FL
Win27–1 Quentin Rosenzweig Submission (rear–naked choke)Sub Stars: Nicky Rod Challenge AbsoluteNogiJune 19, 2019 Miami, FL
Win26–1 Ashley Amos Submission (rear–naked choke)+105 kgNogiMay 25, 2019 Poole, UK
Win25–1 Walker Madden Referee DecisionFight 2 Win 108 240 lbsNogiApril 12, 2019 Philadelphia, PA
Win24–1 Tyler King Referee DecisionFight 2 Win 107 240 lbsNogiApril 5, 2019 Tyngsborough, MA
style=background:white colspan=7
Win23–1 Caleb Crump SubmissionHigh Rollerz Open: Pittsburgh AbsoluteNogi (blue)March 30, 2019 Cheswick, PA
Win22–1 Jeric Fry Submission
Win21–1 Brandon Moran Disqualification
Win20–1 Joshua Lorton Submission
style=background:white colspan=7
Win19–1 John Hansen Submission (rear–naked choke)2019 ADCC North American Trials+99 kgNogiFebruary 9, 2019 Burbank, CA
Win18–1 Casey Hellenberg Points (6–0)
Win17–1 James Friedrich Submission
Win16–1 Fernando Iraheta Submission (kimura)
Win15–1 Michael Egley Points (2–0)
style=background:white colspan=7
Win14–1 Jureall Simmons Submission (kimura)2018 World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship+97 kgNogi (blue)December 14, 2018 Anaheim, CA
Win13–1 Erick Hastings Submission (armbar)
Win12–1 William Matheus Submission (arm–triangle choke)
style=background:white colspan=7
Win11–1 Andrew Tevay Points (2–0)2018 ADCC North American Trials+99 kgNogiNovember 3, 2018 Bayville, NJ
Loss10–1 Hudson TaylorPoints (0–5)
Win10–0 Billy Brown Submission (rear–naked choke)
Win9–0 Dylan Rankin Submission (kimura)
Win8–0 Dylan Rankin Submission (kimura)2018 RISE Submission Invitational 5 215 lbsNogiSeptember 29, 2018 Long Island, NY
style=background:white colspan=7
Win7–0 Joe Baik Points (12–0) Grappling Industries: WildwoodAbsoluteNogiJune 2, 2018 Wildwood, NJ
Win6–0 Steven Tongur Points (9–0)
Win5–0 Gal Telem Goudsmit Submission
Win4–0 Nick Van Wattingen Submission +99 kg
Win3–0 Peter Mattoccia Points (16–0)
Win2–0 Chris Baldino Submission
Win1–0 Eric Silverman Points (2–0)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Phillips . Sabrina . Nicky Rodriguez Promoted To BJJ Black Belt . Jitsmagazine . 23 December 2023.
  2. Web site: Who is Nick Rodriguez?. January 20, 2022. BJJFanatics. en.
  3. Web site: Says . Joe . Nick Rodriguez BJJ Heroes . 2021-06-19.
  4. Web site: Says . Joe . Nick Rodriguez BJJ Heroes . 2021-06-19.
  5. Web site: NickyRod All Access Episode 18. August 24, 2021. Youtube. en.
  6. Web site: Clayton High School's Nick Rodriguez takes positive out of close loss. NJ.com. Bill Evans NJ Advance Media for. 2013-01-03. nj. en. 2020-05-21.
  7. Web site: Nick Rodriguez - Jiu-Jitsu's new Superstar. Presley. Richard. 2019-10-31. Attack The Back. en-US. 2020-05-21.
  8. Web site: 2014 NJSIAA State Championships. www.trackwrestling.com. 2020-05-21.
  9. Web site: Rodriguez Named First Team All-State. 2015-04-28. Ferrum College. en. 2020-05-21.
  10. Web site: Clements . Averi . The Rumors Are True: Meet The Guy Who Won 3rd At ADCC Trials After Just 6 Months Of Training . Jiu-Jitsu Times . 2018-11-06 .
  11. Web site: ADCC Runner-up Nick Rodriguez vs World Teamer Pat Downey At Who's #1!. www.flograppling.com. en. 2020-05-21.
  12. Web site: ADCC Silver Medalist Nick Rodriguez Loses via Technical Fall in Wrestling Return. Peters. Matt. 2019-10-06. Grappling Insider. en-US. 2020-05-21.
  13. Web site: NO GI ADULT / MALE / ADVANCED / ADULT / -230 LBS. Smoothcomp. en. 2020-05-21.
  14. Web site: ABSOLUTE NO GI / MALE / ADULT. Smoothcomp. en. 2020-05-21.
  15. Web site: International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation -. www.ibjjfdb.com. 2020-05-21.
  16. Web site: BJJ and Grappling Phenom Nick Rodriguez Is Just Getting Started. BJJ Fanatics. en. 2020-05-21.
  17. Web site: ADCC 2019 Results: Nicky Rod Outlasts Cyborg. Lindsey. Alex. 2019-09-29. Grappling Insider. en-US. 2020-05-21.
  18. Web site: ADCC 2019 Results: Gordon Ryan wins double gold. Billington. Roy. 2019-09-30. Bloody Elbow. en. 2020-05-21.
  19. Web site: September 30, 2019 . ADCC 2019 Results BJJ Heroes . 2023-06-18 . BJJ Heroes.
  20. Web site: Fight 2 Win 128 Results BJJ Heroes. 2020-05-21.
  21. Web site: BJJ Fanatics Grand Prix Results. Lindsey. Alex. 2019-11-16. Grappling Insider. en-US. 2020-05-21.
  22. Web site: Kasai Pro 7 Results BJJ Heroes. 2020-05-21.
  23. Web site: Nick Rodriguez v Pat Downey 2 Set For Third Coast Grappling 4. Lindsey. Alex. 2019-12-07. Grappling Insider. en-US. 2020-05-21.
  24. Web site: Breaking: Third Coast Grappling IV Main Event is Cancelled.. admin. 2020-03-05. Grappling Insider. en-US. 2020-05-21.
  25. Web site: See the results for the 2020 Third Coast Grappling: KUMITE IV grappling event on FloGrappling.com. 2020-07-12. www.flograppling.com. en.
  26. Web site: Nicky Rodriguez is Moving to Puerto Rico in the Hunt for ADCC Double Gold . 29 December 2020 .
  27. Web site: Gordon Ryan and Nicky Rodriguez Get Matches for Next WNO Event . 3 March 2021 .
  28. Web site: Who's Number One: Gordon Ryan v Vagner Rocha Full Results and Review . 27 March 2021 .
  29. Web site: Third Coast Grappling 6 Grand Prix Lineup Fully Confirmed . 14 March 2021 .
  30. Web site: Third Coast Grappling 6 Full Results and Review . 5 April 2021 .
  31. Web site: John Danaher Announces the Death of the Danaher Death Squad . 26 July 2021 .
  32. Web site: Craig Jones Reveals He Will Continue Training with Nicky Ryan, Nicky Rodriguez, and Ethan Crelinsten . 27 July 2021 .
  33. Web site: Craig Jones Gives First Tour of New Academy, B-Team Jiu-Jitsu . 21 August 2021 .
  34. Web site: Five More Invites to ADCC 2022 Announced . 22 December 2021 .
  35. Web site: Fury Pro Grappling 3 Full Results and Review . 31 December 2021 .
  36. Web site: Who's Number One: Craig Jones v Pedro Marinho Full Results and Review . 22 January 2022 .
  37. Web site: Nicky Rodriguez Promoted to Brown Belt in BJJ . 3 June 2022 .
  38. Web site: ADCC 2022 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More . 18 September 2022 .
  39. Web site: Full Lineup Announced for EBI 20: The Absolutes . 15 October 2022 .
  40. Web site: EBI 20: The Absolutes Full Results and Review . 24 October 2022 .
  41. Web site: Lineup Confirmed for UFC Fight Pass Invitational 3 Absolute Tournament . 6 December 2022 .
  42. Web site: Nicky Rodriguez Steps in to Face Gordon Ryan on Short Notice . 15 December 2022 .
  43. Web site: UFC Fight Pass Invitational 3 Full Results and Review . 16 December 2022 .
  44. Web site: Bradley . Kevin . 2023-02-14 . Nick Rodriguez denies greasing, as allegations with ex-teammate Gordon Ryan get ugly . 2023-02-14 . Bloody Elbow . en.
  45. Web site: Jones . Phil . Gordon Ryan Pulls Out Of Felipe Pena Match, Replaced By Nicky Rodriguez . JitsMagazine . 24 February 2023 . 24 February 2023.
  46. Web site: Who's Number One: Nicky Rodriguez v Felipe Pena Full Results And Review . JitsMagazine . 26 February 2023.
  47. Web site: Blackett . Todd . Incredible Lineup Confirmed For UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 Absolute Tournament . Jitsmagazine . 9 June 2023.
  48. Web site: UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 Full Results And Review . Jitsmagazine . 30 June 2023.
  49. Web site: Quintet 4 Full Preview . Jitsmagazine . 10 September 2023.
  50. Web site: Quintet 4 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More . Jitsmagazine . 10 September 2023.
  51. Web site: Blackett . Todd . Nicky Rodriguez Takes On 3 Grapplers In A Row At Sprawl In The Burgh 2 . Jitsmagazine . 5 October 2023.
  52. Web site: Jones . Phil . Nicky Rodriguez Booked Against Yuri Simoes At UFC Fight Pass Invitational 5 . Jitsmagazine . 23 November 2023.
  53. Web site: UFC Fight Pass Invitational 5 Full Results And Review . Jitsmagazine . 11 December 2023.
  54. Web site: Burne . Kathrine . Nicky Rodriguez And Victor Hugo Set To Headline WNO 22 . Jitsmagazine . 15 January 2024.
  55. Web site: Who’s Number One 22: Nicky Rodriguez vs Victor Hugo Full Results And Review . Jitsmagazine . 10 February 2024.
  56. Web site: de Souza . Diogo . B-Team Jiu-Jitsu Star In Main And Co-Main Event Of UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6 . Jitsmagazine . 5 February 2024.
  57. Web site: UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6 Full Results And Review . Jitsmagazine . 4 March 2024.
  58. Web site: Jones . Phil . Nicky Rodriguez vs Mason Fowler Set For UFC Fight Pass Invitational 7 Main Event . Jitsmagazine . 12 April 2024.
  59. Web site: UFC Fight Pass Invitational 7 Full Results And Review . Jitsmagazine . 16 May 2024.
  60. Web site: Burne . Kathrine . Four Medalists Invited To Return For ADCC 2024 . Jitsmagazine . 29 May 2024.
  61. Web site: Jones . Phil . Nicky Rodriguez Leaves ADCC 2024 To Enter Craig Jones Invitational . Jitsmagazine . 29 May 2024.
  62. Web site: Craig Jones Invitational 2024 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More . Jitsmagazine . 17 August 2024.
  63. Web site: Burne . Kathrine . Nicky Rodriguez Gets Accepted After WWE Tryouts . JitsMagazine . 24 April 2023.
  64. Web site: Jones . Phil . Nicky Rodriguez Has A Younger Brother, And Jacob Is Just As Talented . Jitsmagazine . 10 September 2023.
  65. Web site: ADCC North American West Coast Trials 2022 Full Results And Review . Jitsmagazine.com . 2022-04-04 .
  66. Web site: ADCC West Coast Trials Results, Blue Belt Wins Qualifier, Krikorian, Tackett, And Brianna Dominate . BJJ Heroes - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Team History, Fighter Stats, Biographies and News . 2022-04-04 .