Rafael Lovato Jr just proved once again that he’s still among the very best grapplers in the world by winning a unanimous decision over Giancarlo Bodoni at ONE 173 on November 16th, 2025. It was always going to be a big match as Bodoni is among the biggest names in Jiu-Jitsu right now and Lovato Jr is a legend of the sport. Both men were making their ONE Championship debut and there was more than just reputation at stake here, as the promotion has a clear pathway to becoming a champion. The match happened at middleweight and there’s no champion there yet, so the winner of this would be in a good position to get a shot at the vacant title.
Lovato Jr already proved that age is no obstacle for him last year when he won a silver medal in the under 99kg division at ADCC 2024, but Bodoni won the under 88kg division for the second time at the same event. Now Lovato Jr has done it again, staying a step ahead of Bodoni over the course of 10 minutes and earning a pretty clear-cut decision win. An impressive performance like this against one of the best in the world makes a good case for a title-shot. This wasn’t the only exciting moment for grappling fans at ONE 173 either, as it was followed by Tye Ruotolo earning yet another submission win to improve his MMA record to 2-0.
ONE 173 Full Results
Superbon (c) vs. Masaaki Noiri (ic)
for the ONE featherweight kickboxing championship / title unification bout
Yuya Wakamatsu (c) vs. Joshua Pacio
for the ONE flyweight MMA championship
Nadaka vs. Numsurin Chor Ketwina
for the vacant ONE atomweight Muay Thai championship
Rodtang Jitmuangnon vs. Nong-O Hama
for the vacant ONE flyweight Muay Thai championship
Christian Lee (c) vs. Alibeg Rasulov
for the ONE lightweight MMA championship
Takeru Segawa vs. Denis Puric – kickboxing
Marat Grigorian vs. Rukiya Anpo – kickboxing
Yuki Yoza defeats Superlek Kiatmoo9 via Decision – Unanimous
Nabil Anane defeats Hiromi Wajima via Decision – Unanimous
Kana Morimoto defeats Stamp Fairtex via Decision – Unanimous
Tye Ruotolo defeats Shozo Isojima via Submission – Rear-naked Choke
Rafael Lovato Jr defeats Giancarlo Bodoni via Decision – Unanimous
Suakim Sor Jor Tongprajin defeats Jake Peacock via TKO – Punch
Shamil Erdogan defeats Ryugo Takeuchi via TKO – Punches
Hiroyuki Tetsuka defeats Shinya Aoki via TKO – Punches
Chihiro Sawada defeats Itsuki Hirata via Decision – Unanimous
Hiroki Akimoto defeats Wei Rui via Decision – Unanimous
