Nick Rodriguez, the two time Craig Jones Invitational champion, sat down with the UFC ahead of his grappling debut in their new organization to talk about his mindset, the innovative bowl format and his opponent.
Nick Rodriguez described a controlled emotional state.
“I’m a mix between emotionless and excited. I think you always have nerves. I think if you’re not nervous, you’re probably doing the wrong thing. For me, I just have the ability to control them and use them more as a weapon to benefit me as opposed to just kind of shut me down.”
He made clear that high stakes situations are where he thrives.
“I think pressure is a privilege and I enjoy the pressure. In fact, I lean in towards the pressure. The bigger the match, the more adversity comes my way, I’ll take it and I’ll conquer it.”
Nick Rodriguez framed his approach to this event around development rather than results alone.
“For me, the last year has been constant progress. I think more than even just competing well, I look to just kind of constantly get better, and to this coming event, I’m looking forward to displaying the best version of myself.”
On the bowl format specifically, Nick Rodriguez was candid about why the enclosed structure works in his favor.
“I’m quite excited for the bowl itself. In the past, my opponents have really looked to run away from me, like kind of backpedal and work the edge.”
“It’s going to be really difficult for my opponent to run from me when we are in the bowl. We got some walls up. So I’m really excited for that.”
Sounds an awful lot like Nick Rodriguez prefers circles to squares if you ask us. It’s especially funny seeing UFC BJJ keep trying to replicate the UFC MO in BJJ and basically try to hog credit for the changes they’re piggybacking on. It’s definitely interesting to hear Rodriguez play ball with UFC’s attempt at minimizing Rodriguez’ biggest achiements in the sport of BJJ.
He also welcomed the ‘UFC’s scoring’ criteria.
“I think the scoring system that UFC is implementing is really interesting. They’re valuing submission attempts, control, positional control, and just utter dominance when it comes to scoring. And then in addition to that, you obviously have the walls on the bowl, which entices more jiu-jitsu. And when it comes to competing, the more jiu-jitsu that happens, the better it is for me.”
Regarding weight classes and titles, Nick Rodriguez kept things straightforward.
“I can compete in either weight class, really. I can make 205 lbs like tomorrow if I needed to, or I’ll compete against big guys at 160, 180, or 260, 280 pounds. It doesn’t really matter. I’m relatively small for light heavyweight. But I take on all challenges of all sizes.”
The weight ranges referenced translate to 205 lbs (93 kg), 160 lbs (73 kg), 180 lbs (82 kg), 260 lbs (118 kg) and 280 lbs (127 kg).
On belts, he added:
“I’ll take the belt because it means more money. But I’m the kind of guy, I just chase progress. I just want to see myself get absolutely as good as possible. And whatever happens from that happens.”
