Nick Rodriguez Says Money Is His Real Motivation Ahead Of UFC BJJ Belt Match
Nick Rodriguez has already built a strong championship resume in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – but heading into his rematch with Mason Fowler for the UFC BJJ title, he made clear that the financial upside of the belt matters more to him than the title itself.
He explained his thinking in a pre-fight press conference:
I think the UFC BJJ belt is great, but I am looking forward to the substantial checks I’ll be cashing. That is what’s really on my mind.
Rodriguez enters the rematch with confidence after beating Fowler in their first meeting, but he was clear that the earlier result won’t shape his approach this time.
Instead, he’s planning a higher pace and constant pressure from the start:
The last time we competed, I was just trying to win. And that is a different strategy than just trying to compete my absolute hardest, my absolute best.
He also described a shift in mentality compared to their first fight:
I am just going to kind of keep my foot on the gas, keep pushing pressure and compete to the best of my ability.
And that is a high pace, that is aggressive, that is offensive and that is difficult for anyone to deal with.
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