American BJJ Superstars Giancarlo Bodoni And Rafael Lovato Jr. Set For Submission Grappling Fight At ONE 173: Denver
Two of America’s most accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts are set to lock horns in a massive middleweight submission grappling tilt on August 1 at ONE 173: Denver.
That evening at Ball Arena, two-time ADCC World Champion Giancarlo Bodoni will face off against BJJ legend Rafael Lovato Jr., and the matchup is guaranteed to thrill submission grappling enthusiasts worldwide.
Both men will be making their hotly anticipated ONE debuts at the blockbuster event on United States soil.
The 29-year-old Bodoni has established himself as one of the sport’s premier talents by capturing ADCC World Title gold in 2022 and then again in 2024.
Training under the tutelage of renowned coach John Danaher at New Wave Jiu-Jitsu in Texas, he has spent the past several years amassing an impressive competitive record while racking up notable wins over a number of IBJJF and ADCC World Champions.
Known for his relentless pressure and methodical approach to submission hunting, Bodoni combines technical precision with show-stopping submission skills that make him a threat from any position.
On the other side, 41-year-old Lovato will bring unparalleled experience to the match.
The Oklahoma native established himself as BJJ royalty in 2007 when he became just the third American to win the IBJJF World Championship as a black belt in the gi.
He would later become an undefeated MMA World Champion before turning his focus back to the elite submission grappling circuit, where he’s continued to find plenty of success.
Lovato’s methodical, pressure-based approach features tried-and-true guard passing and technical submission chains that have made him one of the most respected and dangerous competitors throughout the past two decades.
What’s more, he’ll come into this contest loaded with momentum after claiming gold with a near-perfect submission rate at the 2024 IBJJF No-Gi European and Pan-American Championships.
The contest at ONE 173 marks a critical career juncture for both athletes, and each will certainly be hungry to make a statement on the global stage of martial arts.
For Bodoni, a victory over a legend like Lovato would represent a huge feather in his cap and further cement him as a torchbearer for the new generation of American grapplers.
As for Lovato, defeating the younger superstar would prove he remains at the pinnacle of the sport despite competing against athletes more than a decade his junior.
Keep checking onefc.com for more news about ONE 173: Denver on August 1.
