Rafael Lovato Jr. Embraces Grappling Future After MMA Retirement, Set for ONE Championship Debut in Tokyo

Rafael Lovato Jr., the former Bellator middleweight champion, stands at a pivotal juncture in his decorated martial arts career, transitioning definitively from mixed martial arts (MMA) competition to a focused pursuit of professional grappling. The 40-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt is slated to make his ONE Championship debut against two-time ADCC gold medalist Giancarlo Silvio Bodoni at ONE 173 in Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday, a move that signals both a new chapter and a profound sense of peace regarding his MMA retirement.

Lovato Jr.’s departure from MMA was not by choice but a necessity dictated by a serious health diagnosis. In 2019, shortly after capturing the Bellator middleweight title from then-reigning champion Gegard Mousasi in a landmark upset, he was diagnosed with a cavernoma, a brain condition characterized by abnormal clusters of small blood vessels. This condition, which carries risks of hemorrhage and neurological complications, led athletic commissions to deem him medically unfit to compete in MMA, effectively forcing him into an involuntary retirement from the sport. The diagnosis necessitated the vacation of his Bellator title in 2020, a championship he had earned through an undefeated 10-0 professional record.

The emotional toll of this forced hiatus was significant for Lovato Jr., a fighter who had dedicated his life to combat sports. However, a unique opportunity arose three and a half years later that allowed him a final, cathartic return to the MMA ring. In 2022, under the RIZIN banner in Japan, an organization with less stringent medical clearance protocols for certain conditions, Lovato Jr. made a special appearance, improving his professional MMA record to an unblemished 11-0 with a swift submission victory over Taiga Iwasaki. This singular bout served as a poignant farewell, allowing him to close the MMA chapter on his own terms.

"I was content and happy to have that one last fight, to say my goodbye, and getting to do it in Japan just made it even more special," Lovato Jr. shared in an interview with MMA Fighting. "Everything’s good. I don’t feel like I have to fight or I’m missing out on anything the way I did before, whenever it all kind of got taken away from me." This sentiment underscores a profound shift in perspective, born from both the resolution of his MMA career and the evolving priorities of his personal life.

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Now a father and entering his 40s, Lovato Jr. finds himself in a different phase, one where the intense demands and inherent risks of MMA are willingly traded for the strategic depth and continued competitive opportunities of jiu-jitsu and grappling. His focus has sharpened on the sport where he first achieved international acclaim, a discipline that offers a rigorous physical and mental challenge without the same level of concussive impact.

The upcoming contest against Giancarlo Silvio Bodoni marks Lovato Jr.’s inaugural appearance under the ONE Championship banner, an organization that has made significant strides in promoting grappling alongside its traditional MMA, Muay Thai, and kickboxing offerings. The bout was initially scheduled for August but faced a logistical hurdle when the card was moved from Denver to Thailand, leading to its cancellation. The rescheduling of the match to Tokyo holds particular significance for Lovato Jr.

"This feels like destiny," he stated, reflecting on the journey to this matchup. "We were supposed to face each other earlier in the summer in Denver and things got kind of pushed back and we didn’t know what was going to happen. And then for it to fall into Tokyo just makes it even more exciting, more special. I got to do my last MMA fight there and I love the Japanese culture, the energy, the martial arts spirit."

Lovato Jr.’s connection to Japan runs deep, rooted in his formative years as a martial artist. Growing up, he was inspired by legendary figures like Rickson Gracie, whose iconic performances in the Japanese combat sports scene captivated a generation. This lifelong admiration for Japanese martial arts culture and the dream of competing within it were even factors in his decision to join Bellator, given their promotional ties to RIZIN. Despite winning six consecutive fights under the Bellator banner, securing the Bellator middleweight title, and previously being crowned Legacy FC middleweight champion, the opportunity to compete in Japan only materialized towards the latter part of his career, first with his MMA farewell and now with this high-profile grappling match.

"I used to joke around with the ADCC people like, ‘Hey, let’s go to Japan. Let’s do ADCC in Japan,’" Lovato Jr. recounted. "It never happened, but everything happens the way it’s supposed to happen. That’s one thing I’ve learned in my life. Everything comes together at the right time, the right place, the way it’s supposed to. If you stay around long enough, you’ll be there to reap the benefit of it. I feel like that’s totally what’s happening now. The sport just growing, growing, growing. These opportunities to do grappling matches on big cards and be a part of these big events — ONE is huge and I’m so excited and couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity."

His optimism reflects a broader trend in combat sports, where professional grappling has witnessed an unprecedented surge in popularity and professional opportunities. Organizations like ONE Championship are increasingly integrating grappling superfights into their major events, providing a global platform for elite jiu-jitsu practitioners to showcase their skills to a wider audience. This growth aligns perfectly with Lovato Jr.’s current aspirations, offering him a vibrant competitive landscape.

The matchup itself pits Lovato Jr., a veteran world champion and a pillar of American jiu-jitsu, against a formidable opponent in Giancarlo Silvio Bodoni. Bodoni, who was merely 12 years old when Lovato Jr. secured his IBJJF World Championship in 2007, represents the new guard of elite grapplers. Bodoni’s impressive resume includes two ADCC gold medals, a testament to his exceptional skill and rising prominence in the no-gi grappling world.

Lovato Jr. expressed immense respect for his opponent, acknowledging Bodoni’s talent and the challenge he presents. "I want to be able to look back on my career and say — which I already can — but I want to know that I faced everybody, all the best guys for multiple generations," Lovato Jr. affirmed. "And basically, I’ve been out there with all of them for the last two decades. This was one that I hadn’t faced yet. I’ve been watching him, I’ve had students compete against him, I saw him come up and seeing his career unfold and do amazing things. I’m a big fan of his style, he’s very complete, very technical."

He elaborated on Bodoni’s approach, noting, "He has a timeless style. He’s not like crazy scrambles or crazy athleticism, he’s very precise, step by step, position by position. He can do it all and presents a lot of challenges. From studying him, from watching him, I’ve learned some things and it’s made me better. He’s someone that now has a lot of attention so it’s awesome to kind of represent for the old school and show them how the old lions do it and put my skills to the test against him." This perspective highlights Lovato Jr.’s enduring drive for self-improvement and his desire to test his seasoned skills against the cutting edge of the sport.

While his current deal with ONE Championship is for a single match, Lovato Jr. harbors ambitions for a more extended relationship. He expressed hope that a decisive victory could pave the way for future opportunities, specifically mentioning the potential establishment of a 205-pound grappling division within ONE. "Hopefully I’ll walk away with a beautiful victory and they want to have me back and maybe we can set up like a 205-pound title and really create a division on their grappling side," he concluded. This vision for the future underscores his commitment to professional grappling and his desire to contribute to its continued growth and structure on a global stage. As he steps onto the mats in Tokyo, Lovato Jr. is not only competing for a victory but also for the possibility of shaping the future of professional grappling within ONE Championship.