“Make your story great” - Rafael Lovato Jr. seeks to inspire the next generation after big ONE Championship victory

MMA and BJJ icon Rafael Lovato Jr. is coming off an impressive submission grappling victory over Giancarlo Bodoni at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri in Tokyo on Nov. 16, and he’s feeling inspired.

The veteran American fighter defeated Bodoni via unanimous decision in a highly technical showdown at Ariake Arena. In an interview with Bangkok Post’s Nick Atkin backstage, Lovato said he came back to inspire the next generation, and he had this message:

“I’m from Oklahoma where there was no jiu-jitsu, everything was just hard. I never imagined it would come this far. To be able to still have these moments late in my career after all these years, it’s just such a beautiful thing. I hope people out there can feel inspired by it. Make your story great. Last round, best round. Never give up. Keep going. Like I said, leave nothing left in the tank.”

Lovato is looking to continue his career with ONE Championship, and eyes the ONE world title.

ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri is available to North American fans via video-on-demand at live.onefc.com.

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What’s next for Rafael Lovato Jr.?

With grand designs on becoming a ONE Championship world champion, Rafael Lovato Jr. says he will take the rest of 2025 off and get some much needed rest.

He told Nick Atkin:

“I’m going to take the rest of the year off. I had a busy season. Gi, No-Gi did a lot of events, I even went to a wrestling tournament this year. I’m just trying to leave nothing left in the tank. That’s my thing, just give everything to your passion, to your sense of purpose. I love this so much. I’ve been competing against the best in the world for two decades.”

Check back with Sportskeeda MMA for more news on Rafael Lovato Jr. in ONE Championship.