Rafael Lovato Jr. just added another milestone to his already remarkable combat sports journey – this time in a completely new arena.
The former Bellator MMA Middleweight Champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt took home third place at the Freestyle Wrestling Masters Nationals, competing in the Master B (35–42 years old) 100kg division.
It was his first-ever freestyle wrestling tournament, and despite going in without a formal wrestling background, Lovato managed a 5-1 run through six matches:
I had a lot of nerves & was a bit tense & hesitant this morning.
But after losing my 2nd match I felt my game open up & I started to get more comfortable with the format & how to play.
Lovato was dealing with two-minute rounds and learning how to navigate a repechage system.
His only loss came early in the bracket to what he jokingly described as a “silverback gorilla” – the only opponent to score a takedown on him the entire weekend.
Rather stormed through the repechage rounds, scoring two pins and a technical fall to lock up the bronze:
In my effort to be the best martial artist I can possibly be, I have fallen in love with the art of wrestling.
Nowadays, I probably watch more wrestling than I do Jiu-Jitsu or MMA.
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