NCAA Wrestling Champion Pat Downey recently made waves in the grappling community by announcing his entry into the IBJJF No-Gi World Championship as a blue belt. Taking to Instagram, Downey shared the news: “I’m competing in the @ibjjf blue belt world championships next month in Las Vegas. Any sponsors interested in supporting me contact me via email @ patdowney19@gmail.com. Event will be live streamed on @flograppling tune into watch the Lizard King debunk juijitsu.”
Downey’s wrestling resume is nothing short of elite—he’s a former NCAA All-American and a U.S. National Champion, known for his powerful takedowns and gritty mat control. He’s also made headlines in the grappling world by stepping up against some of its biggest names, including a match with ADCC champion Gordon Ryan. Additionally, Downey defeated veteran BJJ black belt and former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold at the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI), a notable achievement underscoring his combat sports prowess.
Despite these impressive credentials, Downey’s formal BJJ rank remains notably modest. Just last month, he was humorously promoted to a first-stripe white belt, a stark contrast to his vast grappling accomplishments. This juxtaposition—competing as a blue belt with a record that many seasoned black belts would envy—adds a comical twist to his journey into the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
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