Justin "Darth" Rader is no stranger to high-stakes competitions.

Heading into his main event clash against Marcio Navarro at Fight to Win Pro 19 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday, Dec. 3, Rader has already proven in the past three weeks that he can handle the pressure of such a prestigious event.

In fact, just 10 days ago, he won the ADCC North American trials for the 66kg weight division. And on November 11, he won an MMA fight by TKO.

Watch Fight to Win Pro 19 LIVE on FloGrappling on Saturday, Dec. 3. 


This world-class athlete knows how to handle the stress of competition as well as he handles his opponents, but the battle to get to (and stay at) the top has been anything but easy. Rader has spent much of the past few years fighting injuries, appendicitis, strenuous weight cuts, and the voice inside his head that told him he should take it easy for a while.

I never took a break, because I couldn't and I drove my body into the ground," Rader said. "I missed weight for two MMA fights last year and lost both of them as well. I continued to take no time to rest and recover, and then I missed weight for ADCC Worlds.

"It was at this point that Professors Saulo and Xande Ribeiro as well as Professor Rafael Lovato Jr. sat me down and explained that I needed to take some time off to let both my body and mind heal.

Rader gives credit to his professors not only for convincing him to heal but also for helping to shape him into the fighter and person he is today. As the coach for kids and teen classes at Lovato's School of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he follows his professors' leads by teaching by example and showing his students why it is so important to never give up.

"These [students] are what push and inspire me to compete to be the best martial artist, the best leader, the best person I can be," Rader said. 

Rader has competed in countless high-level tournaments under various rule sets, and he loves the challenge that comes with adapting to each one. Still, he acknowledges that the submission-only format of Fight to Win events doesn't necessarily favor his own grappling style. 

He was defeated by Jeff Glover at Fight to Win Pro 11 back in September. But for Rader, all that means is that he has a new obstacle to overcome -- and he's looking forward to the opportunity.

"It's a learning process for me," he said. "It's part of the thrill. Can I overcome once again and find a way to come out on top? I'm excited to see."


In this case, coming out on top means defeating a fellow black belt in Navarro. Rader says that although he hasn't spent a lot of time studying his opponent's techniques, his game plan won't be affected by what Navarro has in mind for him. 

One thing remains the same no matter what event I compete in, and that is that I focus much more on what I'm going to do as opposed to what my opponents may or may not do or may or may not be good at.

Rader said that those watching the fight should expect him to "push the pace, pressure forward, and fight with my full heart until it's over."

Regardless of whose hand is raised in victory once it's done, Rader said that Fight to Win Pro 19 will be his last event of 2016. He plans on spending the remainder of the year relaxing with his close friends and family. 

But once 2017 begins, it's back to work. He won't be doing it alone though. His professors, coaches, sponsors, and parents are all standing behind him, just as they have been from the start. He hopes to use their influence not only as he takes the stage on December 3 but also as he passes on his own knowledge to others.

"This is my personal goal: to be the best jiu-jitsu artist I can be, and then ultimately to give back the best I can to the next generation coming up after me," Rader said.

Make sure to watch Justin Rader and Marcio Navarro battle it out on the Fight To Win Pro stage on Saturday, December 3, right here on FloGrappling.

How to Watch Fight To Win Pro 19 

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