ONE 173: Giancarlo Bodoni vs Rafael Lovato Jr

Tomorrow, ONE 173 takes place in Japan — the spiritual home of martial arts.

The event features a star-studded lineup:
In the main event, kickboxing ace Masaaki Noiri challenges for the world title unification. MMA fans will see the return of legends like Shinya Aoki and flyweight champion Yuya Wakamatsu. At the same time, kickboxing superstar Takeru and Muay Thai sensation Nadaka Yoshinari also appear on the card.

But among this frenzy of striking and MMA action, one bout stands out as truly unique — the card’s only grappling match.

It’s a clash between two elite technicians from different generations: Giancarlo Bodoni vs Rafael Lovato Jr.
A “champion vs legend” matchup, this fight brings together two of the best grapplers of their respective eras and promises a display of world-class technique in its purest form.

For fans tuning in primarily for MMA or kickboxing, here’s what makes this grappling bout worth watching — and what to look out for when these two collide.

Giancarlo Bodoni: The Modern Blueprint of Grappling

The New Wave Representative

Giancarlo Bodoni is one of the leading figures of the modern no-gi grappling generation, training under John Danaher at New Wave Jiu-Jitsu, home to Gordon Ryan and Garry Tonon.

He captured global attention by winning the 2022 ADCC World Championship (88 kg) — the sport’s most prestigious tournament — submitting three of his four opponents on the way to gold.

Bodoni’s greatest strength lies in his well-rounded completeness: elite wrestling, technical guard play, relentless positional control, and submission precision.
He represents the fully evolved “modern grappler” — efficient, technical, and dangerous from anywhere.

What to Watch

Bodoni’s balance between top and bottom is exceptional.
His gritty wrestling entries, smooth transitions, and the ability to attack seamlessly from both positions make him one of the most dynamic finishers in the sport.

Expect him to pressure for submissions — his matches rarely stall.
Still, he has occasionally dropped matches against lower-ranked opponents, so the key question here is how he handles Lovato Jr’s experience and tactical composure.

Rafael Lovato Jr: The Living Legend

A Pioneer in Both BJJ and MMA

Rafael Lovato Jr is a true legend — one of the few athletes to conquer both jiu-jitsu and MMA at the highest level.

A black belt World Champion at the IBJJF Worlds and former Bellator Middleweight World Champion, Lovato Jr built a career defined by technical precision and professionalism.

After being diagnosed with a rare brain vascular condition, he vacated his Bellator title for safety reasons, stepping away from MMA. But he later returned to competition in grappling — and proved he still belongs among the elite.

At the 2024 ADCC World Championships, he won silver in the -99 kg division, defeating rising stars including Michael Pixley (who had upset Nicholas Meregali), reaffirming that even in his 40s, Lovato remains a world-class competitor.

What to Watch

Lovato’s game revolves around pressure from the top — drawing from his MMA background — with methodical passing, mount control, and unshakable positional awareness.
He’s not flashy, but he’s composed and rarely makes mistakes.

This fight will test whether his tactical control and deep experience can neutralize Bodoni’s speed and aggression.
Can the veteran slow the tempo, impose his rhythm, and turn it into his kind of fight? That’s the story to watch.

Tactical Breakdown: New School vs Old School

In generational terms, Lovato Jr clearly represents the old guard. While he remains highly competitive, his past struggles against modern submission hunters like Craig Jones and Felipe Pena raise questions about how he’ll handle leg entanglements and hybrid positions that define today’s no-gi meta.

Physically, though, Lovato Jr may hold the edge. He’s naturally a size above Bodoni — usually competing at -99 kg — while Bodoni often enjoys a strength advantage at 88 kg. The size reversal could be a key factor in this case.

Expect the fight to hinge on how Bodoni manages Lovato’s pressure and power — can he wrestle up, use guard entries, or transition before getting pinned down?

Both athletes have distinct areas of dominance, which makes this matchup fascinating from a strategic perspective:
Will each try to force the fight into their preferred range — or avoid the other’s strengths altogether?

Either way, this is not just a clash of generations, but a showcase of how jiu-jitsu evolves — and endures.

📺 How to Watch:

The Giancarlo Bodoni vs Rafael Lovato Jr grappling match will stream live as part of ONE 173, available on U-NEXT in Japan.