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As we leave Louisville, Ky. in the rear view, the signs of the city slowly melt away into lush green woods and open pastures. The long, uninterrupted road winds around bends and alongside streams until we see the white house on the hill that was described to us.
Greeting us outside his home is ADCC Trials Champion, Nathan Haddad. There are only two months until the ADCC World Championship and he is going to show us how he prepares for the biggest tournament of his life.
We walk the grounds of his family’s land and take in the warm morning as Nathan explains the story of how he and his brother both came to build houses on the family plot. It’s a large, serene space with hills and a winding road that stretches around a bend and past a still pond. Walking quietly across the grounds with a cup of coffee, it’s clear that Nathan is in his element.
We haven’t gotten to the gym yet but one thing is already clear: this is not the standard pro-grappling operation I’ve come to recognize on the road to ADCC. Nathan built a unique vision of the jiu-jitsu lifestyle and leads a homegrown team that took years to blossom. He shows us around the vegetable garden, chicken coop, and introduces us to his curious Cane Corso, Frankie.
Nathan’s father, Rolando, meets us at the gate. He shares some thoughts on what they have built and maintains a humble angle on the topic of the farm.
Nevertheless, it’s quite the set up they’ve built for themselves so far. The sun is starting to come out when Rolando suggests we hit the shooting range. We hop in the Polaris and take a speedy tour of the pasture on our way to the range.
It’s a small clearing for practice, but it lacks nothing when it comes to targets and ammunition. Rolando clearly takes his training seriously and yet the two still have plenty of fun while they practice their pistol work.
The same philosophy that carried Nathan to excellence in jiu-jitsu is on display here. Mastering the fundamentals and practicing them under stress is the basis of everything.
Acquiring skill in shooting is not unlike the process of improving at jiu-jitsu.
After a brief and entertaining discussion of gi versus no-gi jiu-jitsu they pack up and head to the house for a quick lunch before training.
We hit the road back towards town and make our way to the gym. Core Combat Sports began as a side project for the Haddads, but overtime it grew into a full-fledged family business. Nathan and his brother Max grew up on the mats and now as black belt professors teach classes full-time.
It’s an ideal mix of modern amenities and tough simplicity without too much flair. The MMA roots of the gym are made clear by the multiple rooms of heavy bags and the smell of hard work still floating in the air. These striking rooms have that old-school energy that many modern gyms replace with shiny mats and perfect lighting.
But when we see the jiu-jitsu room it’s clear that this is the crown jewel of the facility. A large new space with wall to wall spring board mats welcomes a packed Friday night class.
Nathan teaches a class based on fundamental and effective jiu-jitsu escapes, building the technique with additional complexity as the class progresses. Eventually they move onto situational sparring and then open rounds. Nathan puts his creativity on display, showing his wrestling prowess as well as a very submission-oriented game.
Rolando and Nathan share a tough but flowing round peppered with big exhales and laughter. The energy is high and the vibe is good, but these people are here to train hard before the weekend sets in - Nathan and Rolando are no exception.
Nathan’s path at the 2026 ADCC World Championships is not an easy one. The -88kg division is a stacked bracket of grapplers all eager to take their shot at the number one spot recently left vacant by 2x Champion Giancarlo Bodoni.
But Nathan has been counted out before, and he’s no stranger to being the underdog. He spent years grinding in his home town to prove that he deserves to be on the mats with the best in the world, and he’s got a strong family behind him as he packs his bags for Poland.
You can watch Nathan Haddad at the 2026 ADCC World Championships on Sept. 12th and 13th live from Krakow Poland - Streaming exclusively on FloGrappling.
Continue reading...
Greeting us outside his home is ADCC Trials Champion, Nathan Haddad. There are only two months until the ADCC World Championship and he is going to show us how he prepares for the biggest tournament of his life.
You must be registered for see images attach
Nathan Haddad greets us outside his home.
You must be registered for see images attach
We walk the grounds of his family’s land and take in the warm morning as Nathan explains the story of how he and his brother both came to build houses on the family plot. It’s a large, serene space with hills and a winding road that stretches around a bend and past a still pond. Walking quietly across the grounds with a cup of coffee, it’s clear that Nathan is in his element.
You must be registered for see images attach
We haven’t gotten to the gym yet but one thing is already clear: this is not the standard pro-grappling operation I’ve come to recognize on the road to ADCC. Nathan built a unique vision of the jiu-jitsu lifestyle and leads a homegrown team that took years to blossom. He shows us around the vegetable garden, chicken coop, and introduces us to his curious Cane Corso, Frankie.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
Nathan’s father, Rolando, meets us at the gate. He shares some thoughts on what they have built and maintains a humble angle on the topic of the farm.
Nevertheless, it’s quite the set up they’ve built for themselves so far. The sun is starting to come out when Rolando suggests we hit the shooting range. We hop in the Polaris and take a speedy tour of the pasture on our way to the range.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
Rolando places targets for shooting practice.
It’s a small clearing for practice, but it lacks nothing when it comes to targets and ammunition. Rolando clearly takes his training seriously and yet the two still have plenty of fun while they practice their pistol work.
The same philosophy that carried Nathan to excellence in jiu-jitsu is on display here. Mastering the fundamentals and practicing them under stress is the basis of everything.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
Acquiring skill in shooting is not unlike the process of improving at jiu-jitsu.
You must be registered for see images attach
After a brief and entertaining discussion of gi versus no-gi jiu-jitsu they pack up and head to the house for a quick lunch before training.
You must be registered for see images attach
We hit the road back towards town and make our way to the gym. Core Combat Sports began as a side project for the Haddads, but overtime it grew into a full-fledged family business. Nathan and his brother Max grew up on the mats and now as black belt professors teach classes full-time.
You must be registered for see images attach
Rolando and his son Max share laughs on the mats.
You must be registered for see images attach
It’s an ideal mix of modern amenities and tough simplicity without too much flair. The MMA roots of the gym are made clear by the multiple rooms of heavy bags and the smell of hard work still floating in the air. These striking rooms have that old-school energy that many modern gyms replace with shiny mats and perfect lighting.
But when we see the jiu-jitsu room it’s clear that this is the crown jewel of the facility. A large new space with wall to wall spring board mats welcomes a packed Friday night class.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
Nathan teaches a class based on fundamental and effective jiu-jitsu escapes, building the technique with additional complexity as the class progresses. Eventually they move onto situational sparring and then open rounds. Nathan puts his creativity on display, showing his wrestling prowess as well as a very submission-oriented game.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
Rolando and Nathan share a tough but flowing round peppered with big exhales and laughter. The energy is high and the vibe is good, but these people are here to train hard before the weekend sets in - Nathan and Rolando are no exception.
You must be registered for see images attach
Nathan and Rolando spar during open rounds.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
Nathan’s path at the 2026 ADCC World Championships is not an easy one. The -88kg division is a stacked bracket of grapplers all eager to take their shot at the number one spot recently left vacant by 2x Champion Giancarlo Bodoni.
But Nathan has been counted out before, and he’s no stranger to being the underdog. He spent years grinding in his home town to prove that he deserves to be on the mats with the best in the world, and he’s got a strong family behind him as he packs his bags for Poland.
You must be registered for see images attach
You can watch Nathan Haddad at the 2026 ADCC World Championships on Sept. 12th and 13th live from Krakow Poland - Streaming exclusively on FloGrappling.
All Photography by Slack Barrett.
Continue reading...
