UFC FPI 8 post-fight analysis: Nicky Rod outwrestles Pixley, Dante Leon shines

UFC Struggle 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 averted an upset and dominated Abu Dhabi Fight Membership (ADCC) standout Michael Pixley in the principle 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 under.

No upset! Nicky Rod outwrestles, submits Michael Pixley

Pixley wished 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 of 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 received a number of takedowns. Rodriguez received the wrestling exchanges, received on prime and labored his trademark physique lock passing to safe mount within the opening spherical. That smothering strain solely continued within the time beyond regulation interval, as he once more received a takedown, earlier than finally transitioning to the again and ending with a rear bare choke.

Rodriguez outclassed Pixley, very like he has been doing to many credentialed grapplers just lately. Other than barely extra rise up exchanges early, this beautiful a lot appeared the identical as Nicky Rod’s dominant run at CJI the place his physique lock passing repeatedly led to scrub 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 probably the most 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 Struggle 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 pressured a fast faucet.

The Canuto household ended up with an important night. Not solely did Renato win the night’s co-main occasion and settled the rubber match towards Barch, his spouse Raquel Canuto additionally received 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 prime pound-for-pound grapplers within the planet now. The current 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 a degree 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 sort of combat at any weight class,” Leon mentioned. “I can go right 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 Struggle Go ever desires to do 155 or 170 titles, I would like 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 time beyond regulation 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 appeared to be in bother up till the final second, however he managed to defend simply sufficient to outlive, keep away from getting scored on and in the end 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, examine right here.

UFC FPI makes good modifications to ruleset, mat space

UFC Struggle Go Invitational organizers made main modifications for this occasion, adjusting their core ruleset and their preventing floor. Probably 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 fundamental occasions or title bouts) are submission-only, other than potential level deductions as a result of stalling. If there’s no end, they go to an time beyond regulation interval with factors much 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.

A few of the early matches went to time beyond regulation, 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 type of grappling and holding issues balanced for both guard or prime 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 utterly, but it surely was nonetheless an enchancment from the earlier UFC Struggle Go Invitational card.

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