Victor Hugo Submits Nicky Rodriguez at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 10

Las Vegas, Nevada — In a thrilling main event at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 10, Victor Hugo submitted Nicky Rodriguez in overtime, marking Rodriguez’s first loss in over two years.

Rodriguez, who entered the match with a record of 7-1 and the title of the winningest competitor in FPI history, faced his longtime rival Hugo, the only athlete to have previously defeated him. Hugo, a former world champion, remained undefeated in FPI competition as both competitors grappled intensely throughout.

“I knew it was a tough match,” Hugo said post-fight. “Nicky is an incredible fighter, but I believe my experience showed in the overtime period.”

The contest began with both grapplers testing each other’s defenses. Hugo quickly pulled Rodriguez into his guard, leading to a stalemate that the referee broke by standing them up. Action resumed with Rodriguez trying to advance position but to no avail as Hugo expertly defended against takedown attempts.

As the match progressed into overtime, Rodriguez sought a takedown, but Hugo countered effectively. In a pivotal moment, Hugo scrambled to take Rodriguez’s back, earning six quick points before locking in a rear-naked choke, forcing Rodriguez to tap.

The co-main event featured Renato Canuto facing Oliver Taza in a high-stakes 170-pound match. Canuto secured the victory by points after a competitive showdown, finishing the match with a score of 2-0.

“I felt good out there,” Canuto expressed after his win. “Oliver is a seasoned competitor, but I executed my strategy well.”

Another highlight of the evening was Brianna Ste-Marie’s impressive submission win over Elisabeth Clay. Ste-Marie delivered a surprising Von Flue choke that ended the match early in the regulation period.

“I adapted quickly and saw my opening,” Ste-Marie explained. “It’s always great to compete against someone of Elisabeth’s caliber.”

Ronaldo Junior continued his strong performance, defeating Felipe Costa by points after a strategic match that required both grapplers to leverage their extensive skills.

“I was patient and took my chances when they arose,” Junior noted after securing his victory.

Andy Murasaki made his Fight Pass Invitational debut with a win against Daniel Sathler, showcasing his grappling prowess through an inside heel hook submission in overtime.

Younger competitors also shined, as Cassia Moura defeated Sarah Galvao in a tightly contested match that saw Moura secure critical points for a victory. Helena Crevar also stood out with a swift calf slicer submission over Maggie Grindatti-Lira.

The concluding match of the night featured Carlos Henrique defeating Victor Delibero with a submission armbar, capping off an exciting evening of grappling.

As the fight card came to a close, fans left the UFC APEX in Las Vegas buzzing about the intense action and potential future matchups following the remarkable performances at FPI 10.