In a candid discussion that has sent ripples through the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community, grappling standout Nick Rodriguez, commonly known as “Nicky Rod,” has voiced strong opinions on the need for PED testing in the sport.
Rodriguez, who has become one of the most prominent competitors in modern grappling, revealed his perspective on the prevalence of PEDs in BJJ and why he believes testing should be implemented.
“I thought everybody was natty until my first ADCC,”
Rodriguez said, referring to the prestigious Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championship. His naivety was quickly challenged when he encountered competitors whose physiques defied natural limits.
“My buddy’s like ‘nah dog, dude 260 with abs’ – I’m like this don’t make any sense. I’ll lift weights for a long time.”
When asked if PEDs should be permitted in jiu-jitsu, Rodriguez took a firm stance:
“I think we should all be dr*g tested. It should be absolutely illegal just because it is a combat sport.”
The grappling star explained the dangerous implications of PED use in a submission-based martial art.
“Let’s talk leg locks in position where this guy goes to a straight ankle, maybe it’s too high up on the calf and you shouldn’t be able to do it. Maybe he breaks your leg now because he’s got an extra 40 pounds of muscle that he didn’t get from lifting weights. He got from injecting, doing tren and sitting on the couch.”
Rodriguez highlighted a concerning reality that some competitors bypass the hard work of strength training:
“Some guys for sure you lift weights and you get bigger, but some guys will just take ster*ids and get bigger by not lifting.”
In the conversation, former UFC champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, known for his clean record and technical prowess, acknowledged the more severe consequences of PED use in mixed martial arts.
“I think it’s much scarier in the mixed martial arts world because you’re obviously doing much striking and stuff,”
Johnson remarked.
Johnson also referenced former bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw‘s openness about PED use following his suspension.
“The last person I was sh ocked when they came out that they’re d*ping was Dillashaw, and he was open about it. ”
Rod added: “He looks fantastic nowadays. I see his Instagram videos, I’m like ‘dude, you look great.'”
The call for PED testing in BJJ comes at a time when the sport continues to grow in popularity and professionalism. Many major grappling organizations currently lack comprehensive drug testing protocols, unlike regulated combat sports such as boxing and MMA.
Whether Rodriguez’s comments will spark meaningful change in BJJ’s approach to performance enhancement remains to be seen, but his stance has certainly initiated an important conversation about competitive integrity and athlete safety in the grappling world.
