Generational Clash Between Grappling Legends Set For ONE 173: Denver

ONE Championship is returning to the United States in August for its blockbuster event ONE 173: Denver. A thrilling matchup has been announced, as grappling greats Giancarlo Bodoni and Rafael Lovato Jr. are set to lock horns on home soil.

This middleweight submission grappling bout will take place inside the fabled Ball Arena on 2 August. It will be a contest between a young, accomplished superstar and a legend who has achieved everything in his career.

At 29 years old, Bodoni is a BJJ black belt and is regarded as one of the best submission grappling stars in the world. He is a two-time ADCC winner - one of the most prestigious titles in the grappling world - and a BJJF Pan Championship winner.

Apart from his success at black belt, he also achieved tremendous accolades with a brown belt. Bodoni claimed the 2019 IBJJF No-Gi World Championship, earning much-deserved respect for his name.

The Florida native took to social media to express his excitement about the announcement, saying: "I'll be facing an American Legend in @lovatojrbjj. He's been around repping the US on the biggest stages for a long time. All American matchup and clash of generations in Denver."

Lovato, a grappling and MMA legend, commented on the post with: "Looking forward to the challenge Champ! Wishing you a great camp." The Oklahoma native is considered one of the greatest American BJJ superstars.

In 2007, he became the IBJJF Gi World Championship as a black belt. He later transitioned to MMA, remained undefeated, and captured the Bellator middleweight title. For grappling fans, this will be a mouth-watering contest between two greats from different generations.

Also at ONE 173, three-sport ONE World Champion Stamp Fairtex will collide with her former teammate and interim champion Denice Zamboanga for the ONE Women's Atomweight MMA World Title unification match. Meanwhile, striking legend Liam Harrison is coming out of retirement to face the lethwei veteran Soe Lin Oo.