Everything You Need To Know About New ONE Submission Grappling Superstar Giancarlo Bodoni
American grappling great Giancarlo Bodoni will soon bring his immense talent and mountain of accolades to the world’s largest martial arts organization.
On August 1 at ONE 173: Denver, the 29-year-old BJJ black belt will make his much-anticipated promotional debut when he takes on legendary veteran Rafael Lovato Jr. in a middleweight submission grappling tilt at Ball Arena.
Bodoni is considered one of the planet’s best pound-for-pound ground fighters, so it’s no surprise that grappling fans around the world are celebrating his arrival on the global stage.
Before he locks horns with Lovato in Denver, these are five things to know about this exciting new addition to ONE’s stacked submission grappling ranks.
#1 He Made Waves At Brown Belt
Bodoni started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when he was a child, first training under the tutelage of respected coach Rillion Gracie. While the Florida native showed plenty of promise early on, it wasn’t until he was a brown belt that he burst onto the competition scene and established himself as one of the sport’s most talented rising stars.
In 2019, he claimed gold at the IBJJF No-Gi World Championships. That performance erased any doubt that Bodoni would soon be ready to face world-class competitors at the black belt level.
#2 He’s A Black Belt Under A BJJ Icon
Bodoni’s incredible brown belt run came in part thanks to his steady training under Lucas Lepri, a 10-time IBJJF World Champion and undeniable legend of the sport.
In 2020, Lepri promoted Bodoni to the rank of black belt. His influence on the American’s grappling game is still seen today, as Bodoni, like Lepri, ranks among the most effective guard-passers ever seen in BJJ.
#3 He Now Trains Under John Danaher
In 2021, the new black belt decided to pursue his dreams of BJJ greatness and go all-in on professional grappling. He made a career-defining decision to relocate to Austin, Texas, to train under famed instructor John Danaher at New Wave Jiu-Jitsu.
Now working alongside some of the planet’s best full-time grapplers, Bodoni’s career has taken off, and he’s evolved from an elite competitor to an athlete who is quickly becoming an all-time great.
#4 He’s A Two-Time ADCC World Champion
The two most prestigious medals in Bodoni’s trophy case are his pair of ADCC World Titles.
In 2022, he shocked the world by defeating four dangerous grapplers – including returning ADCC World Champion Matheus Diniz – to claim ADCC gold in the 88-kilogram division, all while not having a single point scored against him.
Two years later, he solidified his dominance by winning gold again with four untouchable performances.
#5 He’s A Master Technician
Beyond his prestigious black belt lineage and his impressive career accomplishments, what makes Bodoni so special is his seemingly unmatched technical prowess.
With his methodical, pressure-oriented guard passing, precise back takes, and innovative attacks from his guard, the American is regarded by many as submission grappling’s preeminent technician.
In short, fans should expect to see a true master at work every time Bodoni competes under ONE’s bright lights.
