UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6: Results and 3 key takeaways
View the full results and three key takeaways from the UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6, which took place in Las Vegas on March 3.
On Sunday, the UFC Fight Pass Invitational (UFC FPI) returned to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas with a talent-stacked card featuring a main event clash between the B-Team’s Craig Jones and American veteran Rafael Lovato Jr.
With submission finishes in all but two matches, the card delivered action from start to finish.
These are three big takeaways from UFC FPI 6.
#1 The B-Team puts on a show
All three B-Team representatives competing on the card picked up impressive victories over top opposition.
In the main event, Jones made quick work of Lovato, wasting no time in pulling him into his guard before finding his way into a leg entanglement. From there, the Australian put on a clinical leg locking display to secure the heel hook finish.
Before that, Nick Rodriguez earned a hard-fought points win over current IBJJF no-gi absolute world champion Roberto Jimenez in what was arguably the most entertaining match of the evening. Rodriguez showcased an ever-evolving overall game during the 10-minute regulation period, working well from top position and confidently attacking his foe’s legs when the opportunity presented itself.
In the overtime period, Rodriguez employed his top-flight wrestling to score a takedown before moving to the back. That sequence would give him a six-point lead and the victory.
Also, ADCC veteran Jay Rodriguez shined in his matchup with IBJJF gi world champion Johnatha Alves. Rodriguez put a furious pace on the Art of Jiu-Jitsu product for much of the match and displayed excellent guard passing throughout. After the submission-only regulation period, Rodriguez scored a quick takedown, secured Alves’ back, and sunk in the clean rear-naked choke for one of the biggest wins of his still-young career.
#2 Meregali might be the world’s best heavyweight
New Wave’s Nicholas Meregali continued his incredible unbeaten streak dating back to the 2022 ADCC World Championships with a dominant victory over former ADCC champion Matheus Diniz.
A multiple-time IBJJF gi world champion, Meregali showcase refined wrestling technique and a punishing top game on his way to a rear-naked choke finish, never once finding himself in trouble against the Marcelo Garcia black belt.
With his teammate Gordon Ryan yet again sitting on the sidelines due to illness, Meregali can make a strong case for being the sport’s top heavyweight competitor.
If he wants to solidify his status as the world’s best heavyweight no-gi grappler, Meregali may want to pursue matches against Victor Hugo – who he recently defeated in the gi – or Nick Rodriguez.
#3 UFC FPI rule set produces fireworks
As a whole, the event was one of the most entertaining fight cards in recent memory.
The UFC FPI seems to have found the ideal rule set for action, with one round of submission-only action followed by an overtime points-based period.
This rule set produced plenty of submissions, and the two matches that went the distance were perhaps the most electrifying of the night. Kody Steele and Ronaldo Junior engaged in a high-flying, high-paced battle of wills, and Nick Rodriguez and Roberto Jimenez put on an unforgettable, back-and-forth scrap.
UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6 full card results
- Craig Jones def. Rafael Lovato Jr. via submission (heel hook)
- Nick Rodriguez def. Roberto Jimenez via points
- Nicholas Meregali def. Matheus Diniz via submission (rear-naked choke)
- Mason Fowler def. Pedro Marinho via submission (arm-triangle choke)
- Victor Hugo def. Roosevelt Sousa via submission (rear-naked choke)
- Ronaldo Junior def. Kody Steele via decision
- Jay Rodriguez def. Jonatha Alves via submission (rear-naked choke)
- Gigi Canuto def. Denise Gomes via submission (heel hook)
- Shane Shapiro def. Ben Eddy via submission (arm-triangle choke)
- Raquel Canuto def. Karol Rosa via submission (rear-naked choke)
