Nick Rodriguez vs. Michael Pixley booked for main event of UFC FPI 8

A matchup between recent CJI winner Nick Rodriguez and ADCC standout Michael Pixley is set for the UFC Fight Pass Invitational 8.

Two of grappling’s top wrestlers are set to collide at the next UFC Fight Pass Invitational (UFC FPI).

On October 10, in the main event of UFC FPI 8, B-Team representative Nick Rodriguez will collide with Pedigo Submission Fighting’s Michael Pixley in an absolute matchup.

A two-time ADCC silver medalist, EBI absolute champion, and UFC FPI absolute tournament winner, Rodriguez will come into the contest following the biggest and best performance of his career, as he defeated four opponents over the course of two days to win $1 million at the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational. That impressive showing at CJI included a 100 percent finishing rate, extending his current winning streak to six.

Rodriguez owns a 6-1 record at UFC FPI, having competed in the event under a variety of rule sets. His lone loss in the promotion came in late 2022 when he suffered a narrow EBI overtime loss to rival Gordon Ryan.

The New Jersey native is on a mission to assert himself as grappling’s top heavyweight, and a win over Pixley would do wonders to further that claim.

Now a purple belt under Daisy Fresh head coach Heath Pedigo, Pixley enjoyed a decorated collegiate wrestling career before making the transition to no-gi BJJ. While he has always shown plenty of promise, Pixley’s true breakout year has come in 2024, first with a gold medal performance at the 2024 ADCC West Coast Trials followed by a fourth-place finish in the -99kg division at the 2024 ADCC World Championships.

Notably, Pixley picked up the biggest win of his career – and one of the year’s most significant upsets – at ADCC 2024 when he defeated the heavily favored Nicholas Meregali, dislocating his foe’s shoulder with a massive uchi mata throw.

Simply put, both men are elite takedown artists who tend to do their best work from the top position. Rodriguez, though, has shown a willingness to briefly play guard, if only to use the opportunity to wrestle up. For his part, Pixley has rounded out his wrestling skillset with a dangerous front headlock and d’arce game, which could give Rodriguez trouble.

How to watch: Nick Rodriguez vs. Michael Pixley takes place in the main event of UFC FPI 8 and will air live on UFC Fight Pass (subscription required) on October 10, 2024.