Nick Rodriguez

Wrestling Background and Transition to Jiu-Jitsu

Nick Rodriguez began his athletic journey in Clayton, New Jersey, where he started wrestling at age 12. Competing for Clayton High School, Rodriguez qualified for the NJSIAA championships during his senior year. His wrestling prowess earned him a spot at Ferrum College in Virginia, competing for their Division III wrestling team. At Ferrum, Rodriguez compiled an impressive 34-7 record and secured fourth place at the East Regionals. Following his collegiate wrestling career, Rodriguez transitioned to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in June 2018 under the mentorship of Jay Regalbuto at South Jersey BJJ.

Rapid Rise in Competitive Jiu-Jitsu

Rodriguez's transition to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was marked by immediate competitive success. Within two months of beginning training, he captured victories at two professional-level tournaments, highlighting his natural aptitude for submission grappling. After only six months of dedicated practice, Rodriguez earned bronze at the 2018 ADCC USA East Coast Trials. His rapid ascent continued at the 2019 ADCC World Championships, where he secured a silver medal by defeating several elite black belts. This remarkable performance led coach Jay Regalbuto to award Rodriguez his purple belt promotion directly on the podium.

Founding B-Team and Independent Path

Following the highly publicized split of the Danaher Death Squad in 2021, Rodriguez co-founded B-Team Jiu-Jitsu in Austin, Texas, alongside teammates Craig Jones, Nicky Ryan, and Ethan Crelinsten. Opting for an independent path rather than joining John Danaher's New Wave team, Rodriguez prioritized a relaxed, creative training environment. At B-Team, Rodriguez leads the wrestling program, mentoring athletes in takedowns, positional control, and conditioning. His leadership has been instrumental in establishing the team's ethos of "train hard but have fun," attracting elite talent and generating significant viral attention within the grappling community.

Technical Evolution and Competition Style

Wrestling-Based Foundation

Initially recognized for his explosive double-leg takedowns and powerful slam passing, Rodriguez leveraged his wrestling background to dominate opponents with relentless pressure and athleticism.

Expansion into Submission Techniques

Rodriguez rapidly evolved his technical skillset by training extensively with leg lock specialists. He developed advanced submission skills, particularly heel hooks and back attacks, significantly broadening his offensive arsenal.

Notable Technical Performances

Rodriguez's technical progression was evident at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational 3 in late 2022, where he nearly submitted Gordon Ryan with a tight toe hold, significantly challenging the reigning champion. His refined jiu-jitsu was further demonstrated at the 2023 ADCC North American Trials, where he dominated all matches without conceding a single point, showcasing both tactical maturity and technical precision.

Rivalry with Gordon Ryan and Greasing Controversy

Rodriguez has been involved in a highly publicized rivalry with former teammate Gordon Ryan. Following their matches in 2022, Ryan accused Rodriguez of "greasing," alleging the use of lotion or oil to become excessively slippery and difficult to submit. Rodriguez vehemently denied these accusations, publicly taking a polygraph test to assert his innocence. In response, Rodriguez highlighted Ryan's known history with performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), openly challenging him to regular PED testing. This feud significantly elevated Rodriguez's public profile, positioning him as Ryan's primary rival and rallying many fans to his side due to his outspoken stance on ethics and integrity.

Advocacy for Clean Sport and 'Natural Athlete' Branding

Rodriguez consistently positions himself as a 100% natural athlete in a heavyweight division often associated with PED use. Embracing a humorous and outspoken approach, he frequently promotes the "natty" lifestyle through social media and B-Team content, even jokingly referring to professional jiu-jitsu as "the most anabolic sport in the world." His branding as the "#naturalgorilla" has attracted sponsorships aligned with clean sport, allowing him to advocate openly for proper diet, disciplined recovery routines, and legal supplementation. Rodriguez continues to push for regular PED testing in professional jiu-jitsu competitions, aiming to foster fairness, transparency, and integrity within the sport.