Kicksite Clients Dominate UFC Fight Pass Invitational 9
The UFC Fight Pass Invitational 9 that took place on Thursday December 5 in Las Vegas was a great event for our Kicksite family. Four of our customers (two couples) fought in the Invitational: Renato Canuto and Raquel Canuto from Hybrid Jiu-Jitsu, and Luccas Lira and Maggie Grindatti Lira from Champion Fit (rebranding to Lira Jiu Jitsu). Not only did this group of Kicksite users and partnered athletes all compete on the big stage, but they all came out on top! Out of the 10 winners, Renato, Raquel, Luccas, and Maggie represented 40% of those raising their hands in victory.
Match-By-Match Results
Starting off the night of Kicksite representation was Luccas in the second match. The Atos team member went up against Michael Pixley, winning in overtime. With the UFC Fight Pass Invitational rules, Luccas ended the night with 0 points after overtime ended, defeating Michael’s -3. (You can watch Luccas’ match on Youtube HERE at the 34:00 mark)
After another match, Maggie took the canvas against 19-year old Giovanna Carneiro in her first match after previously retiring in 2023. She used her vast experience to gain an upper hand on the youngster. Maggie took home the victory on a submission via heel hook to become 1-0 at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational.
“I got this opportunity and I knew it was something I couldn’t give up,” Maggie said in the post-match interview. “The UFC MMA was my goal 11 years ago. But I fell in love with Jiu-Jitsu. So don’t give up on your dreams [because] they’ll happen.
Another fight took place and then next up for our partnered athletes was Raquel. Raquel is no stranger to the Fight Pass Invitational, winning matches in the previous three events. In front of a strong Canuto crowd in her home town, she took on and defeated Michele Oliveira with a submission via rear-naked choke in overtime. Once she got the back, Raquel gave the supportive crowd a wink knowing what the end result would be.
“They know that the back is my best position,” Raquel said in the post-match interview. “I said this time I’d get a different submission (won by rear-naked choke in UFC Fight Pass Invitational 8) but it’s always there.”
Then, last, but certainly not least, was Renato in the co-main event against Jason Nolf, a wrestling specialist. Similar to Raquel, Renato was not fighting in his first UFC Fight Pass Invitational. He had previously won in Fight Pass 7 and 8 and was looking to win his third in a row. Throughout the bout Renato was tested, including losing his contact for some time, and putting it back in. Nevertheless, he came out on top by points in overtime: Nolf (-1), Canuto (0).
“I got to do a bunch of stuff that I was wanting to do…. I’m just a little bit frustrated it didn’t result on the tap,” Renato said in the post-match press conference.
We’re so proud of our clients for displaying their martial arts skills on the big stage! We love to see our users thrive and wish everyone who competes the best of luck in your competitions!