UFC FPI 8 results and post-fight analysis: Nick Rodriguez outwrestles Pixley, Dante Leon shines

UFC Battle Go Invitational 8 (UFC FPI 8) is within the books, and it noticed a enjoyable conflict of wrestlers as Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) million greenback winner Nick Rodriguez prevented an upset and dominated Abu Dhabi Fight Membership (ADCC) standout Michael Pixley in the primary occasion.

The occasion produced quite a lot of entertaining no gi Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) motion, and we run down the important thing matches on the UFC FPI 8 card beneath.

No upset! Nicky Rod outwrestles, submits Michael Pixley

Pixley needed one other large upset to observe up his spotlight reel win over Nicholas Meregali at ADCC 2024, however Nick Rod proved to be a bit an excessive amount of for him in all areas.

Whereas the NCAA Division II champion in Pixley was the extra credentialed wrestler on paper, it was Nicky Rod who bought a number of takedowns. Rodriguez received the wrestling exchanges, bought on high and labored his trademark physique lock passing to safe mount within the opening spherical. That smothering strain solely continued within the additional time interval, as he once more bought a takedown, earlier than finally transitioning to the again and ending with a rear bare choke.

Rodriguez outclassed Pixley, very similar to he has been doing to many credentialed grapplers lately. Aside from barely extra get up exchanges early, this gorgeous a lot appeared the identical as Nicky Rod’s dominant run at CJI the place his physique lock passing repeatedly led to wash again takes and rear bare choke finishes.

The winningest grappler in UFC FPI historical past improved to 7-1 within the promotion, and Rodriguez continued to show his case as one of the vital imposing and dominant forces in jiu-jitsu right this moment.

Renato Canuto heel hooks PJ Barch at UFC FPI 8 co-main occasion

The UFC Battle Go Invitational 8 co-main occasion between Renato Canuto and PJ Barch ended up with a spotlight reel end. Recognized for his flashy, flying submissions, Canuto lived as much as his fame as he pulled off one other slick sequence. After showcasing improved wrestling and even taking down a wrestler in Barch early, Canuto finally jumped on a scissor takedown and instantly transitioned to a heel hook that compelled a fast faucet.

The Canuto household ended up with an awesome night. Not solely did Renato win the night’s co-main occasion and settled the rubber match in opposition to Barch, his spouse Raquel Canuto additionally bought a submission end earlier within the card.

Dante Leon will get slapped, then simply chokes out Andy Varela

One other large standout from UFC FPI 8 was Dante Leon, who showcased why he’s among the many high pound-for-pound grapplers within the planet now. The latest ADCC absolute bronze medalist once more moved as much as face an even bigger, stronger foe in Andy Varela, however Leon nonetheless made it look straightforward. After a chippy begin, the place Varela was deducted some extent for slapping him within the face, Leon instantly returned the favor by swiftly locking in an arm-in guillotine off a takedown try.

Leon additionally known as for a title combat after.

“Right here’s the cool factor about me. I can type of combat at any weight class,” Leon stated. “I can go all the way down to 155, keep at 170, go up and combat somebody at 220 lbs. I kinda don’t give a f—okay. However I wish to win titles, so if UFC Battle Go ever desires to do 155 or 170 titles, I need first crack that and I deserve it!”

Gabriel Sousa and Josh Cisneros additionally placed on a present earlier on the cardboard, with fixed scrambles and continuous motion. After a scramble heavy opening spherical, Sousa managed to attain two factors early in additional time after a takedown that his Filipino-American opponent conceded. Cisneros then turned it up after, and had an armbar try and a number of near-back takes. Sousa in bother up till the final second, however he managed to defend simply sufficient to outlive, keep away from getting scored on and finally win because of the early takedown.

Additionally getting finishes on the occasion are Ronaldo Junior and Raquel Canuto. For full outcomes and highlights from UFC FPI 8, verify right here.

UFC FPI makes good modifications to ruleset, mat space

UFC Battle Go Invitational organizers made main modifications for this occasion, adjusting their core ruleset and their combating floor. Essentially the most noticeable change was eradicating the elevated stage and decreasing the mat to the ground to make it safer for the athletes.

The opposite change was to their ruleset. The opening eight-minute rounds (or 10 for foremost occasions or title bouts) are submission-only, aside from potential level deductions as a result of stalling. If there’s no end, they go to an additional time interval with factors just like ADCC that rewards takedowns, passes and dominant positions. The distinction from ADCC although, is that FPI solely deducts factors for stalling, not guard pulling.

Among the early matches went to additional time, however I do just like the modifications, and the occasion ended with 5 straight submissions. The brand new level system actually inspired motion, whereas additionally not favoring a sure model of grappling and preserving issues balanced for both guard or high gamers. Grapplers additionally didn’t fear about falling off a stage and simply continued scrambling close to the sting of the mat space. It’s not fairly like CJI’s alley partitions that just about eradicated resets fully, but it surely was nonetheless an enchancment from the earlier UFC Battle Go Invitational card.

For the most recent Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and grappling-related information click on right here.