Lovato, Najmi, Benson & More Set To Bring The HEAT To Dallas
Lovato, Najmi, Benson & More Set To Bring The HEAT To Dallas
Saturday is going to be lit.
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Fight To Win has set up another thrilling night of matches for Memorial Day weekend!
We'll see the return of Rafael Lovato to gi competition against Checkmat standout Arnaldo Maidana in the main event. The support act will be carried out by Edwin Najmi and Benson Henderson, a match that is nothing short of a guaranteed scrap.
Watch Fight To Win 141 LIVE May 23 On FloGrappling
Main Event: Rafael Lovato Jr. vs Arnaldo Maidana
The return of Rafael Lovato Jr. to jiu-jitsu competition has got the entire FloGrappling team on the edge of our seats.
One of the most decorated Americans in jiu-jitsu history, including becoming the first person to EVER hit a grand slam (all nationalities included), Lovato Jr.'s game is best defined as clean, old school, and 100-percent focused on the submission.
It’s the first time Lovato Jr. has competed in the gi in nearly three years, and we’re very excited to see him showcase his timeless style on the Fight to Win Stage.
Binge Watch: Rolling With Rafael Lovato Jr.
Lovato. Jr will be facing Arnaldo Maidana, a previous IBJJF No-Gi World Champ and American Nationals Champ who represents team Checkmat.
Over the course of his six years at black belt, Maidana has earned wins over some of the best fighters of this generation, including Lucas "Hulk" Barbosa, Victor Silverio, Josh Hinger, and Ricardo Evangelista - making him a formidable foe for anyone standing across from him.
It should also be noted that Maidana is a joint lock machine, with over 20 percent of his submission wins at black belt coming via armbar and 12 percent by kneebar.
The edge in this match could be given to Lovato by sheer experience alone, but nothing is predictable in the COVID-19 era, and we're very intrigued to see how this one plays out on fight night.
WATCH: Arnaldo Maidana Trains With Buchecha
Co-Main: Edwin Najmi vs Benson Henderson
This match has "Fight Of The Night" written all over it.
Both competitors simply don't know how to have a boring match. Najmi will deliberately sacrifice a "good" position with his relentless pursuit of the submission, and Henderson is a scramble machine who does NOT stop pushing forward.
Watch: Edwin Najmi vs Ben Leny
It's also the perfect contrast of the wrestler versus counter-attack artist – Edwin routinely baits people to shoot a double on him in order to attack with his fearsome darce choke – but the strategy is not without its own risk, and Benson may be able to get the drop on NAjmi if he times his shot just write.
The fact that the match is in the gi certainly gives Edwin the advantage, but Benson Henderson is a one-of-a-kind athlete, and even the smallest mistake could give him the opening he needs.
In any case, the fans at home a guaranteed a spectacle of non-stop action and high likely hood of this ending in a sub.
Fight To Win 141 Match Order
All times ET
800pm Robert Galan vs Colton Phoenix
808pm Kenny Gunter vs Michael Anthony Gonzalez
817pm Aric Mercado vs Dmitri Thompson
826pm Erica Barnes vs Catherine Arnold
835pm Noah Villemarette vs Aaron James Mckenzie
844pm Samuel Nagai vs Mario Fonseca
854pm William Tackett vs Troy Russell
905pm Tyler Murrah vs Bobby Alexander
916pm Jason Bright vs Dylan Whyte
927pm Jean Panqueka vs Mike Anderson
938pm Edwin Najmi vs Ben Henderson
953pm Arnaldo Maidana vs Rafael Lovato Jr