Rafael Lovato Jr. is on fire!
The third degree BJJ black belt under Saulo Ribeiro is riding a 6-0 win streak in mixed martial arts, and all of his wins have come by way of finish in the third round or sooner.
Lovato’s latest win came tonight at Bellator 181, when the World and Pan-Am Champion took on former RFA Welterweight Champion Mike Rhodes, who was riding a four-fight win streak of his own at the time.
This is the BJJ you were all expecting from Rafael Lovato Jr.! #Bellator181
Posted by Bellator MMA on Friday, July 14, 2017
Rafael put a screeching and immediate halt to Rhodes’ streak, though, defeating the former champion in two minutes.
Lovato threw a side kick and shot in for a single. He then looked like he was going to play some half guard, but as Rhodes tried to struggle away, Rafael moved to the back.
Later on, when the fight was on the ground, Lovato held onto Rhodes’ back, tightening a rear naked choke around Rhodes’s throat. Mike Rhodes was obviously in pain, and tapped frantically to get the referee to stop the fight.
Rafael Lovato’s win not only marks his second victory in Bellator, but his second first-round finish in the promotion. His first came by way of TKO earlier this year when he took on Charles Hackmann at Bellator 174.
Ladies and gentlemen, Rafael Lovato Jr. is a force to be reckoned with — not only in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but the in the dangerous world of mixed martial arts!
Looks like a short choke not rnc