This week saw an Austin-based grappler win a prestigious tournament and take home $30,000 in prize money. The grappler, named Nick Rodriguez is one of the world’s elite and won an eight-man tournament to take home the cash. Here, he competed in the prestigious UFC Fight pass event which was hosted by the UFC’s Dana White.

On his road to glory, Rodriguez managed to defeat other elite athletes via submission holds and put his skills on display. Despite originally hailing from New Jersey, Rodriguez has lived in Austin for several years now, and trains locally at a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym, named ‘The B-Team’. However, his performance was more akin to an ‘A-Team’ result which saw him victorious.

After the event, Rodriguez said that he planned to spend the $30,000 as a downpayment on a property in Austin. This is a smart decision for the 26 year old and former collegiate wrestler, who has helped put Austin grappling on the map.

According to a spokesperson, the gym he trains at (B-Team) is one of the best in the world and is home to various champions. Furthermore, Austin has become a hub in recent years for the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – which has grown rapidly in the area.

As always, it’s nice to see a local champion in any sport – which shows the talent in the area. With this in mind, keep an eye out for the name Nick Rodriguez who looks set for further greatness in the future.