A matchup between current CJI winner Nick Rodriguez and ADCC standout Michael Pixley is ready for the UFC Battle Move Invitational 8.
Two of grappling’s high wrestlers are set to collide on the subsequent UFC Battle Move Invitational (UFC FPI).
On October 10, in the principle occasion of UFC FPI 8, B-Group consultant Nick Rodriguez will collide with Pedigo Submission Preventing’s Michael Pixley in an absolute matchup.
A two-time ADCC silver medalist, EBI absolute champion, and UFC FPI absolute match winner, Rodriguez will come into the competition following the most important and finest efficiency of his profession, as he defeated 4 opponents over the course of two days to win $1 million on the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational. That spectacular exhibiting at CJI included a 100% ending price, extending his present profitable streak to 6.
Rodriguez owns a 6-1 document at UFC FPI, having competed within the occasion below quite a lot of rule units. His lone loss within the promotion got here in late 2022 when he suffered a slim EBI time beyond regulation loss to rival Gordon Ryan.
The New Jersey native is on a mission to say himself as grappling’s high heavyweight, and a win over Pixley would do wonders to additional that declare.
Now a purple belt below Daisy Recent head coach Heath Pedigo, Pixley loved a adorned collegiate wrestling profession earlier than making the transition to no-gi BJJ. Whereas he has all the time proven loads of promise, Pixley’s true breakout 12 months has are available 2024, first with a gold medal efficiency on the 2024 ADCC West Coast Trials adopted by a fourth-place end within the -99kg division on the 2024 ADCC World Championships.
Notably, Pixley picked up the most important win of his profession – and one of many 12 months’s most important upsets – at ADCC 2024 when he defeated the closely favored Nicholas Meregali, dislocating his foe’s shoulder with an enormous uchi mata throw.
Merely put, each males are elite takedown artists who are inclined to do their finest work from the highest place. Rodriguez, although, has proven a willingness to briefly play guard, if solely to make use of the chance to wrestle up. For his half, Pixley has rounded out his wrestling skillset with a harmful entrance headlock and d’arce recreation, which might give Rodriguez hassle.
The way to watch: Nick Rodriguez vs. Michael Pixley takes place in the principle occasion of UFC FPI 8 and can air dwell on UFC Fight Pass (subscription required) on October 10, 2024.
