Nick Rodriguez
Nicholas "Nick" Rodriguez, commonly known as Nicky Rod (born August 30, 1996)[1] is an American professional submission grappler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) athlete.[a]
| Nick Rodriguez | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | Nicholas Pete Rodriguez August 30, 1996 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other names | Nicky Rod The Black Belt Slayer | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Residence | Austin, Texas, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | B Team Jiu-Jitsu | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu[a] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wrestling | NCAA Division III wrestling | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relatives | Jay Rodriguez (brother) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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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.[2] He won silver again at the 2022 ADCC World.[3]
Early life and education edit
Nicholas Pete Rodriguez was born on 30 August 1996 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,[4] raised in Clayton, New Jersey, and attended Clayton High School.[5]
Wrestling career edit
Rodriguez began wrestling in sixth grade.[6] He qualified for the NJSIAA championships as a senior but did not place.[7]
Collegiate career edit
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.[8] He decided to pursue modeling career with Wilhelmina Models.[9]
Post-collegiate career edit
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.[10] He lost the match by technical fall.[11]
Professional grappling career edit
2018 edit
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[6] and went on to win the advanced 230 pounds and absolute brackets.[12][13] 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.[14]
2019 edit
As a blue belt, Rodriguez qualified for the 2019 ADCC World Championships after winning the North American trials.[15] He defeated three notable jiu-jitsu black belts in Mahamed Aly, Orlando Sanchez, and Cyborg Abreu to make it to the finals,[16] where he lost to black belt IBJJF World Champion Kaynan Duarte on points, earning him 2nd place in the tournament.[17] He was promoted to purple belt on the ADCC podium by his coach Jay Regalbuto.[2] Rodriguez became known by the nickname "Black Belt Slayer".[18][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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
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, 2021, 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 edit
Rodriguez stepped in on two day's 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]
Professional wrestling edit
On April 24, 2023, Rodriguez revealed that he had attended a WWE tryout and had been accepted along with several other athletes.[52]
Personal life edit
Rodriguez's younger brother Jacob, known as Jay or J-rod, is a B Team jiu jitsu competitor.[53] A former two-time state and regional champion in wrestling, he's the winner of the 2022 ADCC North American West Coast Trials in the -88kg division.[54][55]
Championships and accomplishments edit
Main Achievements:[2]
- ADCC US West Coast Trials champion (2019)
- EBI 20: The Absolute Champion (2022[3])
- Grappling Industries: Wildwook (Advanced Absolute) (2018)
- Grappling Industries: Wildwook (Advanced 230 lbs) (2018)
- 2nd place ADCC World Championships (2019 / 2022)
- 3rd place Kasai 7 HW Grand Prix (2020)
- 3rd place ADCC US East Coast Trials (2018)
- 3rd place Third Coast Grappling 6 Grand Prix (2021[30])
- 3rd place KASAI Pro 7 (+99 kg) (2020)
Main Achievements (Colored Belts):[2]
- IBJJF World Championships No-Gi champion (2018 blue belt)
- High Rollerz Open: Pittsburgh (blue belt Absolute)
Grappling record edit
| 42 Matches, 37 Wins (17 Submissions), 7 Losses (1 Submission), 2 Draws | ||||||||
| Result | Rec. | Opponent | Method | Event | Division | Type | Year | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 3CG Grand Prix DNP at +99 kg | ||||||||
| Loss | 37–7–2 | Victor Hugo | Referee Decision | 2021 Third Coast Grappling VI Grand Prix | +99 kg | Nogi | April 4, 2021 | Houston, TX |
| Win | 37–6–2 | Pedro Marinho | Referee Decision | |||||
| Win | 36–6–2 | Yuri Simões | Referee Decision | 2021 Who's Number One | +99 kg | Nogi | March 26, 2021 | Austin, TX |
| Loss | 35–6–2 | Roberto Jimenez | Referee Decision | 2020 Third Coast Grappling: Kumite IV | +99 kg | Nogi | July 11, 2020 | Houston, TX |
| 2020 KASAI Pro 7 at +99 kg | ||||||||
| Win | 35–5–2 | Kyle Boehm | Points (5–0) | 2020 KASAI Pro 7 | +99 kg | Nogi | February 1, 2020 | Dallas, TX |
| Win | 34–5–2 | Bruno Bastos | Submission (heel hook) | |||||
| Draw | 33–5–2 | Cyborg Abreu | Draw | |||||
| Draw | 33–5–1 | Vinny Magalhães | Draw | |||||
| Loss | 33–5 | Victor Hugo | Referee Decision | Fight 2 Win 135 | +99 kg | Nogi | January 18, 2020 | California, CA |
| Win | 33–4 | Luke Rockhold | Referee Decision | Polaris 12 | 104.3 kg | Nogi | November 30, 2019 | Newport, WA |
| 2019 BJJ Fanatics Grand Prix at +99 kg | ||||||||
| Loss | 32–4 | Lucas Barbosa | Overtime (riding time) | 2019 BJJ Fanatics Submission Only Grand Prix | +99 kg | Nogi | November 15, 2019 | Beverly, MA |
| Win | 32–3 | Victor Silverio | Overtime (rear–naked choke) | |||||
| Loss | 31–3 | Kaynan Duarte | Submission (heel hook) | Fight 2 Win 128 | +99 kg | Nogi | October 19, 2019 | Philadelphia, PA |
| 2019 ADCC World Championship at +99 kg | ||||||||
| Loss | 31–2 | Kaynan Duarte | Points (0–3) | 2019 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships | +99 kg | Nogi | September 29, 2019 | Anaheim, CA |
| Win | 31–1 | Cyborg Abreu | Referee Decision | |||||
| Win | 30–1 | Orlando Sanchez | Referee Decision | |||||
| Win | 29–1 | Mahamed Aly | Referee Decision | |||||
| Win | 28–1 | Jason Reyes | Points (15–0) | 2019 JitzKing Tampa | +99 kg | Nogi | July 6, 2019 | Tampa, FL |
| Win | 27–1 | Quentin Rosenzweig | Submission (rear–naked choke) | Sub Stars: Nicky Rod Challenge | Absolute | Nogi | June 19, 2019 | Miami, FL |
| Win | 26–1 | Ashley Amos | Submission (rear–naked choke) | Polaris 10 | +105 kg | Nogi | May 25, 2019 | Poole, UK |
| Win | 25–1 | Walker Madden | Referee Decision | Fight 2 Win 108 | 240 lbs | Nogi | April 12, 2019 | Philadelphia, PA |
| Win | 24–1 | Tyler King | Referee Decision | Fight 2 Win 107 | 240 lbs | Nogi | April 5, 2019 | Tyngsborough, MA |
| 2019 High Rollerz Open: Pittsburgh at Absolute | ||||||||
| Win | 23–1 | Caleb Crump | Submission | High Rollerz Open: Pittsburgh | Absolute | Nogi (blue) | March 30, 2019 | Cheswick, PA |
| Win | 22–1 | Jeric Fry | Submission | |||||
| Win | 21–1 | Brandon Moran | Disqualification | |||||
| Win | 20–1 | Joshua Lorton | Submission | |||||
| 2019 ADCC North American Trials at +99 kg | ||||||||
| Win | 19–1 | John Hansen | Submission (rear–naked choke) | 2019 ADCC North American Trials | +99 kg | Nogi | February 9, 2019 | Burbank, CA |
| Win | 18–1 | Casey Hellenberg | Points (6–0) | |||||
| Win | 17–1 | James Friedrich | Submission | |||||
| Win | 16–1 | Fernando Iraheta | Submission (kimura) | |||||
| Win | 15–1 | Michael Egley | Points (2–0) | |||||
| 2018 IBJJF World Nogi Championships at +99 kg | ||||||||
| Win | 14–1 | Jureall Simmons | Submission (kimura) | 2018 World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship | +97 kg | Nogi (blue) | December 14, 2018 | Anaheim, CA |
| Win | 13–1 | Erick Hastings | Submission (armbar) | |||||
| Win | 12–1 | William Matheus | Submission (arm–triangle choke) | |||||
| 2018 ADCC North American Trials at +99 kg | ||||||||
| Win | 11–1 | Andrew Tevay | Points (2–0) | 2018 ADCC North American Trials | +99 kg | Nogi | November 3, 2018 | Bayville, NJ |
| Loss | 10–1 | Hudson Taylor | Points (0–5) | |||||
| Win | 10–0 | Billy Brown | Submission (rear–naked choke) | |||||
| Win | 9–0 | Dylan Rankin | Submission (kimura) | |||||
| Win | 8–0 | Dylan Rankin | Submission (kimura) | 2018 RISE Submission Invitational 5 | 215 lbs | Nogi | September 29, 2018 | Long Island, NY |
| 2018 Grappling Industries: Wildwook at +99 kg & Absolute | ||||||||
| Win | 7–0 | Joe Baik | Points (12–0) | Grappling Industries: Wildwood | Absolute | Nogi | June 2, 2018 | Wildwood, NJ |
| Win | 6–0 | Steven Tongur | Points (9–0) | |||||
| Win | 5–0 | Gal Telem Goudsmit | Submission | |||||
| Win | 4–0 | Nick Van Wattingen | Submission | +99 kg | ||||
| Win | 3–0 | Peter Mattoccia | Points (16–0) | |||||
| Win | 2–0 | Chris Baldino | Submission | |||||
| Win | 1–0 | Eric Silverman | Points (2–0) | |||||
Notes edit
- ^ a b (under Craig Jones, Ethan Crelinsten and Nicky Ryan)
References edit
- ^ "Who is Nick Rodriguez?". BJJFanatics. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Says, Joe. "Nick Rodriguez | BJJ Heroes". Retrieved 2021-06-19.
- ^ a b Says, Joe. "Nick Rodriguez | BJJ Heroes". Retrieved 2021-06-19.
- ^ "NickyRod All Access Episode 18". Youtube. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ NJ.com, Bill Evans | NJ Advance Media for (2013-01-03). "Clayton High School's Nick Rodriguez takes positive out of close loss". nj. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
- ^ a b Presley, Richard (2019-10-31). "Nick Rodriguez - Jiu-Jitsu's new Superstar". Attack The Back. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
- ^ "2014 NJSIAA State Championships". www.trackwrestling.com. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
- ^ "Rodriguez Named First Team All-State". Ferrum College. 2015-04-28. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
- ^ Clements, Averi (2018-11-06). "The Rumors Are True: Meet The Guy Who Won 3rd At ADCC Trials After Just 6 Months Of Training". Jiu-Jitsu Times.
- ^ "ADCC Runner-up Nick Rodriguez vs World Teamer Pat Downey At Who's #1!". www.flograppling.com. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
- ^ Peters, Matt (2019-10-06). "ADCC Silver Medalist Nick Rodriguez Loses via Technical Fall in Wrestling Return". Grappling Insider. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
- ^ "NO GI ADULT / MALE / ADVANCED / ADULT / -230 LBS". Smoothcomp. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
- ^ "ABSOLUTE NO GI / MALE / ADULT". Smoothcomp. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
- ^ "International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation -". www.ibjjfdb.com. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
- ^ "BJJ and Grappling Phenom Nick Rodriguez Is Just Getting Started". BJJ Fanatics. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
- ^ Lindsey, Alex (2019-09-29). "ADCC 2019 Results: Nicky Rod Outlasts Cyborg". Grappling Insider. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
- ^ Billington, Roy (2019-09-30). "ADCC 2019 Results: Gordon Ryan wins double gold". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
- ^ "ADCC 2019 Results | BJJ Heroes". BJJ Heroes. September 30, 2019. Retrieved 2023-06-18.
- ^ "The Black Belt Slayer: Nicky Rodriguez" on YouTube
- ^ "Fight 2 Win 128 Results | BJJ Heroes". Retrieved 2020-05-21.
- ^ Lindsey, Alex (2019-11-16). "BJJ Fanatics Grand Prix Results". Grappling Insider. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
- ^ "Kasai Pro 7 Results | BJJ Heroes". Retrieved 2020-05-21.
- ^ Lindsey, Alex (2019-12-07). "Nick Rodriguez v Pat Downey 2 Set For Third Coast Grappling 4". Grappling Insider. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
- ^ admin (2020-03-05). "Breaking: Third Coast Grappling IV Main Event is Cancelled". Grappling Insider. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
- ^ "See the results for the 2020 Third Coast Grappling: KUMITE IV grappling event on FloGrappling.com". www.flograppling.com. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
- ^ "Nicky Rodriguez is Moving to Puerto Rico in the Hunt for ADCC Double Gold". 29 December 2020.
- ^ "Gordon Ryan and Nicky Rodriguez Get Matches for Next WNO Event". 3 March 2021.
- ^ "Who's Number One: Gordon Ryan v Vagner Rocha Full Results and Review". 27 March 2021.
- ^ "Third Coast Grappling 6 Grand Prix Lineup Fully Confirmed". 14 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Third Coast Grappling 6 Full Results and Review". 5 April 2021.
- ^ "John Danaher Announces the Death of the Danaher Death Squad". 26 July 2021.
- ^ "Craig Jones Reveals He Will Continue Training with Nicky Ryan, Nicky Rodriguez, and Ethan Crelinsten". 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Craig Jones Gives First Tour of New Academy, B-Team Jiu-Jitsu". 21 August 2021.
- ^ "Five More Invites to ADCC 2022 Announced". 22 December 2021.
- ^ "Fury Pro Grappling 3 Full Results and Review". 31 December 2021.
- ^ "Who's Number One: Craig Jones v Pedro Marinho Full Results and Review". 22 January 2022.
- ^ "Nicky Rodriguez Promoted to Brown Belt in BJJ". 3 June 2022.
- ^ "ADCC 2022 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". 18 September 2022.
- ^ "Full Lineup Announced for EBI 20: The Absolutes". 15 October 2022.
- ^ "EBI 20: The Absolutes Full Results and Review". 24 October 2022.
- ^ "Lineup Confirmed for UFC Fight Pass Invitational 3 Absolute Tournament". 6 December 2022.
- ^ "Nicky Rodriguez Steps in to Face Gordon Ryan on Short Notice". 15 December 2022.
- ^ "UFC Fight Pass Invitational 3 Full Results and Review". 16 December 2022.
- ^ Bradley, Kevin (2023-02-14). "Nick Rodriguez denies greasing, as allegations with ex-teammate Gordon Ryan get ugly". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
- ^ Jones, Phil (24 February 2023). "Gordon Ryan Pulls Out Of Felipe Pena Match, Replaced By Nicky Rodriguez". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
- ^ "Who's Number One: Nicky Rodriguez v Felipe Pena Full Results And Review". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ Blackett, Todd. "Incredible Lineup Confirmed For UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 Absolute Tournament". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ^ "UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
- ^ "Quintet 4 Full Preview". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ "Quintet 4 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Blackett, Todd. "Nicky Rodriguez Takes On 3 Grapplers In A Row At Sprawl In The Burgh 2". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ Burne, Kathrine. "Nicky Rodriguez Gets Accepted After WWE Tryouts". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ^ Jones, Phil. "Nicky Rodriguez Has A Younger Brother, And Jacob Is Just As Talented". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ "ADCC North American West Coast Trials 2022 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine.com. 2022-04-04.
- ^ "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.