Craig Jones will tackle Rafael Lovato Jr. in the primary occasion of UFC FPI 6, set to go down on Sunday, March 3.
The UFC Battle Cross Invitational (UFC FPI) is about for its first occasion of 2024, and a pair of top-tier matchups have already been introduced for the cardboard.
On Sunday, March 3, in the primary occasion of UFC FPI 6, two-time ADCC silver medalist Craig Jones will sq. off with former gi and no-gi world champion Rafael Lovato Jr. Earlier than that, present IBJJF no-gi absolute champion Roberto Jimenez will tackle UFC FPI absolute event winner Nick Rodriguez.
The promotion introduced the matches on social media.
The chief of the B-Staff, Jones has firmly established himself as among the finest no-gi opponents on the earth. Along with his pair of silver medals on the ADCC World Championships, the Australian holds latest notable victories over the likes of Richie Martinez, Nicholas Meregali, and – at UFC FPI 4 – Felipe Pena.
Lovato, in the meantime, is without doubt one of the sport’s most seasoned opponents. The Oklahoma native gained his gold on the 2007 IBJJF Worlds, in addition to the 2010 IBJJF No-Gi Worlds. After a formidable, undefeated run in MMA that noticed him declare the Bellator middleweight title, Lovato has returned to common BJJ competitors lately, selecting up key wins over Elder Cruz, Vinicius “Trator” Ferreira, and Ricardo Evangelista.
In 2023, Lovato spoke to Grappling Insider about his renewed, late-career motivations.
The match presents an intriguing stylistic conflict. On one aspect, Jones is a feared submission hunter recognized for his leg locks, able to ending the match at any level from seemingly any place.
Lovato, in the meantime, possesses a easy but extremely efficient meat-and-potatoes type that emphasizes guard passing, positional dominance, and ending from the again.
Roberto Jimenez vs. Nick Rodriguez
The co-main occasion will see a 3rd match between Jimenez and Rodriguez. The pair first clashed at a Third Coast Grappling occasion in 2020, with Jimenez successful by way of resolution. Three years later, at UFC FPI 4, Rodriguez avenged that defeat with an EBI time beyond regulation victory.
A two-time ADCC silver medalist and Eddie Bravo Invitational champion, Rodriguez is arguably the game’s prime energetic heavyweight. He’s a prodigious athlete with highly effective wrestling, world-class guard passing, and an ever-evolving submission recreation. Rodriguez is slated to face fellow heavyweight standout Victor Hugo this Friday in the primary occasion of Who’s Number One 22.
For his half, Jimenez is probably probably the most entertaining competitor in grappling, recognized for his ultra-aggressive submission looking and seemingly unstoppable back-takes. He’ll come into the match loaded with confidence after successful gold within the absolute division on the 2023 IBJJF No-Gi Worlds final December – a feat he completed with a one hundred pc ending fee.
Jimenez spoke to Grappling Insider about his unbelievable run at No-Gi Worlds.
Find out how to watch: UFC FPI 6: Craig Jones vs. Rafael Lovato Jr. takes place on Sunday, March 3, and can air stay on UFC Fight Pass (subscription required).
