Kennedy Maciel and Josh Cisneros To Meet in Rematch of One of 2021’s Best Matches
They’re running it back. In a rematch of one of the best matches in all of jiu-jitsu so far in 2021, 155-pound grapplers Josh Cisneros and Kennedy Maciel will meet at Fight To Win 179 on July 30. Maciel won the pair’s first encounter by a last-second, come-from-behind submission.
The first match between Maciel and Cisneros took place on April 10 at Fight To Win 169. Read a recap of that match here. After minutes of surviving in a terrible position, Maciel was able to turn the tides in the final thirty seconds, securing a rear-naked choke and one of the most stunning victories of the year. For Maciel, the win was a successful defense of his Fight To Win lightweight title.
The son of Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles, Kennedy Maciel is an ADCC silver medalist, and an IBJJF no-gi Worlds and Pans champion. He has not competed since his spectacular victory of Cisneros.
Josh Cisneros will no-doubt be ready to avenge the loss. Like Maciel, he is an accomplished jiu-jitsu competitor with 2020 Pans and American National gold medals. Since his loss to Maciel at Fight To Win 169, Cisneros earned silver medals at the IBJJF Houston Open and the no-gi Pans, losing in the finals to Richar Nogueira and Diego Oliveira, respectively.
Maciel vs. Cisneros 2 has fireworks written all over it. On one hand, Cisneros showed that he has the top pressure needed to control and stifle the explosive Maciel for minutes on end. On the other, Maciel showed that he can turn the match around at the drop of the hat. Look for both men to fight for position in all spots, from the feet to the mat, with high-paced scrambles throughout.
How to watch: Fight to Win 179 takes place on Friday, July 30, and will air live on FloGrappling (subscription required).
