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EBI 20: The Absolutes results and highlights – Nick Rodriguez impresses

Ben Coate

View results and highlights from EBI 20. The B-Team’s Nick Rodriguez walked away with four submissions and tournament gold.

On Sunday, the Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI) returned to action with EBI 20: The Absolutes. In one of the most talent-rich EBI brackets in recent memory, The B-Team’s Nick Rodriguez came out on top, defeating ADCC veteran Kyle Boehm in the final.

A two-time ADCC silver medalist, Rodriguez showed off a variety of submissions throughout his tournament run, proving he is much more than just a wrestler and top control artist.

In the opening round, Rodriguez scored a reverse (or “side”) triangle on Ezequiel Zurita in just under three minutes into regulation. He followed that up with an overtime armbar victory over ADCC veteran Luke Griffith.

In the semifinals, Rodriguez took out Austin Baker in regulation with a triangle choke. Baker had lost to ADCC champion Giancarlo Bodoni in the opening round, but was slotted back into the bracket when Bodoni withdrew due to a rib injury.

And in the final, Rodriguez snagged his fourth submission – this time a rear-naked choke in overtime against 10th Planet standout Kyle Boehm.

In all, this was undeniably one of the best career performances from Rodriguez, who is still relatively young in his jiu-jitsu journey. Known for his explosive takedowns and brutally effective body lock passing, Rodriguez appeared to be much more of a submission hunter in this tournament, confidently chasing leg locks and triangle chokes.

Full EBI 20 results:

Round of 16

  • Nick Rodriguez def. Ezequiel Zurita via submission (side triangle)
  • Luke Griffith def. Franco Pana via submission (smother)
  • Andrew Kimler def. Maxim Cote via submission (heel hook)
  • Giancarlo Bodoni def. Austin Baker via escape time
  • Kyle Boehm def. Travis Moore via submission (heel hook)
  • Roosevelt Sousa def. Angel Lugo via submission (heel hook)
  • Pat Shahgholi def. David Viera via submission (heel hook)
  • Andre Porfirio def. Dan Martinez via submission (straight ankle lock)

Quarterfinals

  • Nick Rodriguez def. Luke Griffith via submission (armbar in OT)
  • Austin Baker def. Andrew Kimler via submission (armbar)
  • Kyle Boehm def. Roosevelt Sousa via submission (heel hook)
  • Andre Porfirio def. Pat Shahgholi via escape time

Semifinals

  • Nick Rodriguez def. Austin Baker via submission (triangle choke)
  • Kyle Boehm def. Andre Porfirio via submission (rear-naked choke)

Final

  • Nick Rodriguez def. Kyle Boehm via submission (rear-naked choke in OT)

Ben Coate

Ben has been involved with grappling, whether through wrestling or Brazilian jiu-jitsu, essentially his entire life. After wrestling throughout his childhood, Ben found Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a young adult and quickly fell in love. He has been training for over ten years and currently holds the rank of brown belt, and remains involved in both the MMA and BJJ scene. Ben has been writing about combat sports since 2017. He has interviewed and profiled some of MMA's biggest stars, including multiple UFC champions.

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