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Nick Rodriguez
BornNicholas Pete Rodriguez
(1996-08-30) August 30, 1996 (age 28)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other namesNicky Rod
The Black Belt Slayer
ResidenceAustin, Texas, U.S.
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
TeamB Team Jiu-Jitsu
Rank     Black belt in BJJ[a][1]
WrestlingNCAA Division III wrestling
Notable relativesJay Rodriguez (brother)
Medal record
Representing  United States
Submission Grappling
ADCC World Championship
Silver medal – second place 2022 Las Vegas +99 kg
Silver medal – second place 2019 Anaheim +99 kg
ADCC North American Championship
Gold medal – first place 2019 Burbank +99 kg

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

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 30 August 1996 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,[5] raised in Clayton, New Jersey, and attended Clayton High School.[6]

Wrestling career

Rodriguez began wrestling in sixth grade.[7] 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] He decided to pursue 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[7] 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.[3] Rodriguez became known by the nickname "Black Belt Slayer".[19][20]

He competed against Duarte in a rematch at Fight 2 Win, which he lost.[21] He also competed at the BJJ Fanatics Grand Prix.[22]

2020

After his bronze medal finish at the KASAI Pro 7,[23] 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.[24] However, the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[25]

He then competed at Third Coast Grappling: Kumite IV on July 11. He was eliminated in the first round.[26]

In December, 2020, Rodriguez moved to Puerto Rico with the rest of his teammates to continue training under John Danaher.[27]

2021

Rodriguez competed against Yuri Simões in the co-main event of Who's Number One on March 26, 2021.[28] Rodriguez won the match by decision.[29] He was then invited to compete in an absolute grand prix at Third Coast Grappling 6 on April 3, 2021.[30] Rodriguez defeated Pedro Marinho by decision in the opening round before losing a decision to Victor Hugo in the semi-final.[31]

In July, news broke that the Danaher Death Squad were splitting up.[32] Rodriguez elected to continue training with Craig Jones, Ethan Crelinsten, and Nicky Ryan.[33] The four grapplers opened up a new gym in Austin, Texas under the name B-Team Jiu-Jitsu in August, 2021.[34] Shortly afterward, Rodriguez was invited to compete at the 2022 ADCC World Championship.[35]

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.[36]

2022

Rodriguez faced Elder Cruz at Who's Number One: Jones v Marinho on January 21, 2022, and lost the match by split decision.[37] Shortly after this, Rodriguez was promoted to brown belt in BJJ.[38] 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.[39]

He was then invited to compete at EBI 20: The Absolutes on October 23, 2021.[40] Rodriguez won the tournament by defeating Ezeqiual Zurita, Luke Griffith, Austin Baker, and Kyle Boehm in one night.[41] On December 15, 2022, Rodriguez was scheduled to compete in another absolute tournament at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 3.[42] However, Vinny Magalhães withdrew from the main event match against Gordon Ryan and Rodriguez agreed to step in to replace him instead.[43] Neither man could finish the fight in regulation time and the match went to EBI overtime, where Gordon Ryan won by fastest escape time.[44] 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.[45]

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.[46] He lost the match by unanimous decision.[47] Rodriguez was then invited to compete in an openweight tournament at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 on June 29, 2023.[48] He defeated Roberto Jimenez, Vagner Rocha, and Dan Manasoiu to win the tournament.[49]

Rodriguez then competed at Quintet 4 on September 10, 2023 as part of The B-Team Bulls.[50] Rodriguez drew both of his matches but his team won the tournament.[51] 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.[52] He won all three. Rodriguez then competed against Yuri Simões at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 5 on December 10, 2023.[53] He won the match on points.[54]

Professional wrestling

On April 24, 2023, Rodriguez revealed that he had attended a WWE tryout and had been accepted along with several other athletes.[55]

Personal life

Rodriguez's younger brother Jacob, known as Jay or J-rod, is a B Team jiu jitsu competitor.[56] 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.[57][58]

Championships and accomplishments

Main Achievements[3]

  • ADCC US West Coast Trials champion (2019)
  • EBI 20: The Absolute Champion (2022)[4]
  • 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)[31]
  • 3rd place KASAI Pro 7 (+99 kg) (2020)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts)[3]

  • IBJJF World Championships No-Gi champion (2018 blue belt)
  • High Rollerz Open: Pittsburgh (blue belt Absolute)

Grappling record

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 Brazil Victor Hugo Referee Decision 2021 Third Coast Grappling VI Grand Prix +99 kg Nogi April 4, 2021 United States Houston, TX
Win 37–6–2 Brazil Pedro Marinho Referee Decision
Win 36–6–2 Brazil Yuri Simões Referee Decision 2021 Who's Number One +99 kg Nogi March 26, 2021 United States Austin, TX
Loss 35–6–2 Ecuador Roberto Jimenez Referee Decision 2020 Third Coast Grappling: Kumite IV +99 kg Nogi July 11, 2020 United States Houston, TX
2020 KASAI Pro 7 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) at +99 kg
Win 35–5–2 United States Kyle Boehm Points (5–0) 2020 KASAI Pro 7 +99 kg Nogi February 1, 2020 United States Dallas, TX
Win 34–5–2 Brazil Bruno Bastos Submission (heel hook)
Draw 33–5–2 Brazil Cyborg Abreu Draw
Draw 33–5–1 Brazil Vinny Magalhães Draw
Loss 33–5 Brazil Victor Hugo Referee Decision Fight 2 Win 135 +99 kg Nogi January 18, 2020 United States California, CA
Win 33–4 United States Luke Rockhold Referee Decision Polaris 12 104.3 kg Nogi November 30, 2019 Wales Newport, WA
2019 BJJ Fanatics Grand Prix at +99 kg
Loss 32–4 Brazil Lucas Barbosa Overtime (riding time) 2019 BJJ Fanatics Submission Only Grand Prix +99 kg Nogi November 15, 2019 United States Beverly, MA
Win 32–3 Brazil Victor Silverio Overtime (rear–naked choke)
Loss 31–3 Brazil Kaynan Duarte Submission (heel hook) Fight 2 Win 128 +99 kg Nogi October 19, 2019 United States Philadelphia, PA
2019 ADCC World Championship 2nd place, silver medalist(s) at +99 kg
Loss 31–2 Brazil Kaynan Duarte Points (0–3) 2019 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships +99 kg Nogi September 29, 2019 United States Anaheim, CA
Win 31–1 Brazil Cyborg Abreu Referee Decision
Win 30–1 United States Orlando Sanchez Referee Decision
Win 29–1 Brazil Mahamed Aly Referee Decision
Win 28–1 United States Jason Reyes Points (15–0) 2019 JitzKing Tampa +99 kg Nogi July 6, 2019 United States Tampa, FL
Win 27–1 United States Quentin Rosenzweig Submission (rear–naked choke) Sub Stars: Nicky Rod Challenge Absolute Nogi June 19, 2019 United States Miami, FL
Win 26–1 Wales Ashley Amos Submission (rear–naked choke) Polaris 10 +105 kg Nogi May 25, 2019 United Kingdom Poole, UK
Win 25–1 United States Walker Madden Referee Decision Fight 2 Win 108 240 lbs Nogi April 12, 2019 United States Philadelphia, PA
Win 24–1 United States Tyler King Referee Decision Fight 2 Win 107 240 lbs Nogi April 5, 2019 United States Tyngsborough, MA
2019 High Rollerz Open: Pittsburgh 1st place, gold medalist(s) at Absolute
Win 23–1 United States Caleb Crump Submission High Rollerz Open: Pittsburgh Absolute Nogi (blue) March 30, 2019 United States Cheswick, PA
Win 22–1 United States Jeric Fry Submission
Win 21–1 United States Brandon Moran Disqualification
Win 20–1 United States Joshua Lorton Submission
2019 ADCC North American Trials 1st place, gold medalist(s) at +99 kg
Win 19–1 United States John Hansen Submission (rear–naked choke) 2019 ADCC North American Trials +99 kg Nogi February 9, 2019 United States Burbank, CA
Win 18–1 United States Casey Hellenberg Points (6–0)
Win 17–1 United States James Friedrich Submission
Win 16–1 United States Fernando Iraheta Submission (kimura)
Win 15–1 United States Michael Egley Points (2–0)
2018 IBJJF World Nogi Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at +99 kg
Win 14–1 United States Jureall Simmons Submission (kimura) 2018 World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship +97 kg Nogi (blue) December 14, 2018 United States Anaheim, CA
Win 13–1 Brazil Erick Hastings Submission (armbar)
Win 12–1 Brazil William Matheus Submission (arm–triangle choke)
2018 ADCC North American Trials 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) at +99 kg
Win 11–1 United States Andrew Tevay Points (2–0) 2018 ADCC North American Trials +99 kg Nogi November 3, 2018 United States Bayville, NJ
Loss 10–1 United States Hudson Taylor Points (0–5)
Win 10–0 United States Billy Brown Submission (rear–naked choke)
Win 9–0 United States Dylan Rankin Submission (kimura)
Win 8–0 United States Dylan Rankin Submission (kimura) 2018 RISE Submission Invitational 5 215 lbs Nogi September 29, 2018 United States Long Island, NY
2018 Grappling Industries: Wildwook 1st place, gold medalist(s) at +99 kg & Absolute
Win 7–0 United States Joe Baik Points (12–0) Grappling Industries: Wildwood Absolute Nogi June 2, 2018 United States Wildwood, NJ
Win 6–0 United States Steven Tongur Points (9–0)
Win 5–0 Israel Gal Telem Goudsmit Submission
Win 4–0 United States Nick Van Wattingen Submission +99 kg
Win 3–0 United States Peter Mattoccia Points (16–0)
Win 2–0 United States Chris Baldino Submission
Win 1–0 United States Eric Silverman Points (2–0)

Notes

  1. ^ a b (under Craig Jones, Ethan Crelinsten and Nicky Ryan)

References

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