Jacob Rodriguez

Jacob "J-Rod" Rodriguez was born in February 2002 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised in Clayton, New Jersey. From an early age, Rodriguez immersed himself in athletics, initially exploring football before gravitating toward wrestling. Training alongside his older brother, Nick Rodriguez, he began wrestling at six or seven, forging a strong connection to the mats.

During his middle school years, Rodriguez sought to sharpen his skills by joining club wrestling programs outside of school, demonstrating a commitment to technical growth and mat time. His dedication translated into notable high school achievements, including regional and district championships. Rodriguez concluded his high school wrestling career with a remarkable 136-19 record, establishing a foundation of grit and competitive experience.

Shift to Jiu-Jitsu

Motivated by the success of his brother Nick Rodriguez in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jacob Rodriguez transitioned to the sport after high school. In September 2020, he began training under coach Jay Regalbuto at Studio 84 in New Jersey, embracing the technical nuances of no-gi grappling.

Accelerated Development

Rodriguez entered his first no-gi competition in November 2020, quickly adapting his wrestling base to the demands of jiu-jitsu. Committing to an intensive training schedule—often two sessions per day—he demonstrated rapid technical progression, earning his blue belt in just seven months. By mid-2021, Rodriguez relocated to Austin, Texas, joining the newly formed B-Team Jiu-Jitsu to train full-time alongside his brother and other elite athletes.

Jacob Rodriguez captured international attention with his standout performances at the ADCC. Competing in the 87.9 kg / 193.7 lb division, he secured a silver medal at the 2024 ADCC World Championship, showcasing his ability to thrive on the sport's biggest stage. His competitive ascent included a victory at the 2022 ADCC West Coast Trials and a runner-up finish at the 2024 ADCC West Coast Trials.

Rodriguez's dynamic style and willingness to take calculated risks have made him one of the sport's most exciting grapplers. His matches are marked by relentless pace, creative transitions, and a clear intent to finish, earning him a reputation as a true submission hunter.

Technical Arsenal

Rodriguez is particularly renowned for his mastery of the Buggy Choke, a submission that has become synonymous with his name. He leverages his wrestling foundation to create scrambles and capitalize on unconventional submission entries, often catching opponents off-guard.

Tactical Approach

His grappling style emphasizes dynamic movement, aggressive positional exchanges, and a submission-oriented mindset. Rodriguez blends traditional wrestling pressure with innovative jiu-jitsu attacks, consistently seeking to impose his game rather than react to his opponent's strategy. He has also publicly committed to competing without performance-enhancing drugs, further distinguishing his approach and philosophy within the sport.

In May 2025, Jacob Rodriguez was banned from B-Team Jiu-Jitsu following misconduct allegations involving inappropriate content, including screenshots from his phone containing public Instagram material alongside adult content. This controversy led to his exclusion from elite gyms across the United States, forcing him into a period of grappling nomadism and disrupting his access to consistent high-level training.

Rodriguez faced significant public scrutiny and later acknowledged mishandling his initial response to the situation. During this period of exile, he focused on overcoming personal challenges, prioritizing family, and pursuing personal development. He also used this time to increase his physical size, addressing previous size disadvantages in competition. Although his competitive future remains uncertain, Rodriguez emphasizes his commitment to personal growth and expresses hope that this challenging chapter is temporary.