Victor Hugo scored a fabulous finish to cap off UFC Fight Pass Invitational 10 in Las Vegas on Thursday night.
Hugo headlined the grappling show in the fourth clash with CJI champion and two-time ADCC silver medalist Nicky Rodriguez, who entered the mat with a 7-1 record under the FPI banner. Rodriguez was looking for payback after going 0-3 against the Brazilian in previous years, but Hugo had the last laugh in the end.
A 4-time IBJJF world champion and black belt under the legend Alexandre Ribeiro, Hugo had weight on his side as made his best to stop every attempt from Rodriguez in regulation. Referee Vitor Ribeiro brought them back up after it reached a stalemate, but neither could advance anywhere near a successful attack.
Overtime began and Hugo pulled guard to avoid takedown points for Rodriguez, again locking themselves in a position in which the Craig Jones protege couldn’t advance. The referee again stood them back up, and this time Hugo surprised by countering a takedown attempt to throw Rodriguez to the mat and immediately take the back to sink in a rear-naked choke for the tap.
Hugo called for a clash with Gordon Ryan following his FPI 10 victory, a rematch of their ADCC 2022 clash that had Ryan win by points (8-0).
“I think there’s only one guy that beat Nicky Rod on this stage,” Hugo said. “He’s not active, but whenever he is, it would be a pleasure, if he’s up to it, to face Gordon Ryan. I think, after getting through Nicky, that’s probably the name that makes the most sense. … I know he’s not healthy, I wasn’t healthy either, so I believe he’s gonna get through that and whenever he’s ready, if he wants to take the challenge, I’ll be here and let’s do it.”
The co-main event had Oliver Taza looking for redemption against Renato Canuto, trying to avenge a 2-0 points loss at the 2019 edition of the ADCC, but came up short one more time. The duo engaged in a very technical and close match, but Canuto scored two points with under 20 seconds left in overtime to secure the win and improve to 4-0 under the FPI banner.
The IBJJF world champion announced after the match that he has signed a four-fight deal with Tuff-N-Uff to make his MMA debut later this year.
The third-to-last match of the night ended with a highlight as Brianna Ste-Marie worked on top and passed the guard in what looked like an arm-triangle choke attempt. With Elisabeth Clay struggling with her arm trapped, however, Ste-Marie pressed for the tap with a Von Flue choke.
Former teammates and roommates Andy Murasaki and Daniel Sathler engaged in a heated clash with more slaps and kicks than submission attempts in regulation, but it all changed in overtime as FPI debutant Murasaki locked a nasty heel hook early for the tap.
The early portion of the FPI card had the new generation of veteran families compete.
Cassia Moura, daughter of Bruno Bastos, took on Andre Galvao’s daughter Sarah Galvao and has her in trouble with a standing rear-naked choke in overtime. Galvao eventually escaped, but the attack secured the four points necessary to guarantee Moura’s victory by points (4-2). Achilles Rocha, son of UFC veteran and jiu-jitsu great Vagner Rocha, went to a draw in points (2-2) with Nathan Haddad after an exciting back and forth battle, and had the judges’ decision go in his favor.
Alex Enriquez and Carlos Henrique did not need judges as they opened the card with slick submissions, forcing Julia Alves and Victor Delibero to tap to a rear-naked choke and armbar.
Watch the finishes below, and click here for complete UFC Fight Pass Invitational 10 results.
