Nicky Rodriguez recently explained why he’s never competed in the gi – and why he’s unlikely to ever return to IBJJF events.

In an interview with MMA legend Demetrious Johnson, Rodriguez shared how his career focus was clear from day one…
He wanted to get paid to do Jiu-Jitsu:

There’s no money in it (in competing in the gi).
I knew that early on.

I only did Jiu-Jitsu so I could get paid.
I mean I loved it, it was great fun and I think if I was doing anything then I’d want to be training Jiu-Jitsu.

That mindset shaped his path from the start.
His first coach, Jay Regalbuto, helped direct him toward the professional opportunities available in no-gi competition:

When I started Jiu-Jitsu I recognised, well Jay Regalbuto actually told me: “Look, these are the guys that are making money” and it’s all no gi guys.

I was like – well, let’s take this thing off.

Although he technically attended a few gi classes, Rodriguez said he never once competed in the gi:

I showed up, first Jiu-Jitsu session was on Wednesday and it was a no gi day and then I just started showing up to the gi class in no gi.
People would take their gi off to roll with me.

I did a couple of gi sessions but the second I started competing, like two weeks in I did a comp, and it was like yeah, no gi is the way.

As for IBJJF events, Rodriguez has done them before (he won No-Gi Worlds as a blue belt).
But he’s no longer interested in participating, largely because of how they operate:

The IBJJF stuff is confusing because there’s really talented guys that compete there, but they pay money to compete.

These guys are paying money to compete, that’s not a professional program.

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