Grappling Titans Collide: Rafael Lovato Jr. vs. Giancarlo Bodoni Set to Electrify ONE 173

When legends meet rising stars, magic happens on the mats. The upcoming submission grappling showdown between Rafael Lovato Jr. and Giancarlo Bodoni at ONE 173 isn’t just another match—it’s a collision of eras that has grappling fanatics worldwide holding their breath.

As someone who’s covered the evolution of submission grappling for years, I can tell you this matchup represents everything that makes our sport beautiful: technical mastery, generational talent, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

A Clash of Grappling Philosophies

Rafael Lovato Jr. stands as one of the most accomplished American grapplers in history. The former Bellator middleweight champion brings a seasoned game refined through decades of competition at the highest level. At 41, Lovato’s technical precision remains unmatched, especially his half-guard system that has frustrated even the most elite opponents.

Across the mat will stand Giancarlo Bodoni, the 27-year-old New Wave Jiu-Jitsu standout who represents the next generation of submission artists. Training under the legendary John Danaher, Bodoni brings modern innovations and explosive athleticism that captured him ADCC gold in 2022.

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Styles Make Fights: Breaking Down the Technical Battle

What makes this matchup particularly fascinating is the contrast in approaches. Lovato built his reputation on a methodical pressure game, while Bodoni brings the systematic leg lock attacks and back-taking sequences that have become hallmarks of the Danaher Death Squad lineage.

I spoke with several local grapplers here in Brevard County who can’t stop talking about this matchup. As Mike from Palm Bay Jiu-Jitsu told me, “This is like watching different eras of basketball collide. Lovato’s old-school pressure versus Bodoni’s new-school tactics.”

The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher

For Lovato, this match represents a chance to prove that technical mastery transcends generational gaps. After stepping back from MMA due to a cerebral cavernoma diagnosis, his return to pure grappling showcases his warrior spirit and love for the art.

Bodoni, meanwhile, is looking to add another legend to his resume and cement himself as the present and future of submission grappling. A win over someone of Lovato’s stature would be career-defining.

“When I watch these two, I’m seeing the evolution of our sport in real-time,” says local BJJ black belt instructor Jen Carlson. “Lovato’s traditional approaches meeting Bodoni’s modern innovations is exactly what makes grappling so fascinating.”

ONE Championship: Elevating Submission Grappling

I’ve got to give credit to ONE Championship for consistently putting together these dream matchups that other promotions simply don’t deliver. Their ruleset—focused on submission hunting rather than points—forces both men to pursue definitive finishes.

The promotion’s commitment to submission grappling has created a platform where specialists can showcase their art without transitioning to MMA, preserving the technical purity that hardcore fans appreciate.

Prediction: How Will This Battle Unfold?

While I hate making predictions in matches of this caliber, I expect a chess match early with Bodoni looking to establish his leg entanglements while Lovato works to impose his crushing top pressure.

The generational gap might show in terms of pace, with Bodoni potentially pushing a higher tempo, but Lovato’s experience and defensive awareness make him incredibly difficult to submit. Don’t be surprised if this goes the distance with several near-submissions from both men keeping us on the edge of our seats.

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Why This Match Matters for the Sport

Beyond the immediate excitement, this matchup represents something more significant: the beautiful evolution of submission grappling. Watching a pioneer like Lovato test himself against the innovations Bodoni represents shows how our sport constantly reinvents itself while honoring its traditions.

For local grapplers in Brevard County looking to elevate their game, this matchup provides a masterclass in technical evolution worth studying frame-by-frame after it airs.

Will You Be Watching?

ONE 173 streams on May 3rd, and this grappling superfight alone makes it worth tuning in. Whether you’re a hardcore mat rat or a casual MMA fan curious about the pure submission game, Lovato vs. Bodoni promises to deliver the technical brilliance and competitive fire that makes grappling so addictive.

I’ll be hosting a watch party at Rolling Traditions in Melbourne—drop by if you want to catch this historic match with fellow grappling enthusiasts!

What aspect of this matchup are you most excited to see? The technical chess match? The generational clash? Let me know in the comments below!

Source: ONE Championship official bout announcements