Grappling Breakdown: Is Michael Sainz The Next Big Thing At 170lbs?
Grappling Breakdown: Is Michael Sainz The Next Big Thing At 170lbs?
We take a look at one of Brazilian jiu-jitsu's brightest young prospects, Miami-based wrestler and black belt Michael Sainz
Michael Sainz is one of the most interesting young prospects in all of submission grappling and this young, athletic Miami-based black belt has only just begun to crack into his potential. He has all of the tools and background to blow up in the welterweight class (no-gi's deepest division) - and soon. He is scheduled to face off with 2024 IBJJF No-Gi Pan Champion Natan Chueng at WNO 29 on July 25th and before that goes down let's take a moment to look at why Michael may just be the next big thing at 170lbs in grappling.
Get your tickets here for WNO 29 in Miami, FL on July 25th!
Michael trains out of his father Carlos's gym, Alpha Miami Grappling. He was promoted to black belt by Carlos earlier this year. The Alpha Miami Gym is family run and always packed with the six Sainz brothers (Tristan will also be on the undercard for WNO 29, facing Roberto Jimenez's brother in the opening match of the evening). Michael is one of the oldest and I think you can tell when you talk to him, he's very mature for being only 20 years old and carries himself as an athlete with a purpose. I think he understands that any success he has will only make more opportunities for his brothers in the future and that is a motivating factor for him.
NONSTOP TAKEDOWNS: Elite Wrestling Drills With The Sainz Brothers
Alpha Miami has really excelled in the ADCC Open circuit and that success caught the eye of Mo Jassim, who pushed heavily for Michael to be on WNO. He debuted against the always impressive Daniel Sathler and picked up that win - what may be the first of many. He had really good success at the recent ADCC North American Trials as well, advancing to day two at both (including the quarters at West Coast) before losing to Oliver Taza and Max Hanson.
The easiest place to start when you are looking at Michael's grappling style is his wrestling base. He is a state champion wrestler - in fact his family set a record in 2025 by being the first to have three brothers in the same state championship finals. Michael has a very straight-forward style that is grinding and patient but very effective. His head-hands defense is very good when compared to the field and he uses that to walk people down. There are entire tournaments where he didn't take a single step backwards.
Michael doesn't shoot often, instead he focuses more on dominating the hand fight and snapping people into his front headlock where he can spin around. His speed to the angle when he reattacks is incredible and he chain wrestles to the next position as fast as anyone in the division. He's very creative in his defensive scrambling and once he brings that dynamism to his offense - which still relies on his pressure and snaps. He uses pass bys well when he is on an elbow and throws people by from underhooks very well, but often focuses instead of keeping his elbows tight and walking people down.
Michael Sainz After WNO Debut Win: 'I've Never Been So Mentally Prepared'
Once Michael is on top, he's often going to the knee slide to his left where he spends time building pressure and pummeling his way inside. If he can break frames or get to a body lock, he's going to win that position and pass through. It's a very tight game that melds well with his wrestling and keeps him safe - throughout the ADCC tape I watched I rarely saw him in any leg entanglements. What is worth watching is how the few times I did see that he was able either to turn away and force it into a wrestling exchange. Some guys like Jett Thompson and Max Hanson were able to turn that into back exposure but I think the more he can force wrestling exchanges it will only benefit him.
As far as physical attributes, what jumps out is his pace and fluidity. He moves very well in basically every position and his footwork and foot speed in short bursts is excellent. He has that youthful wrestler's gas tank and motor as well, which is enough to wilt the lower level competition by itself. He is also very physically strong. When he gets a hold of someone they stay where he wants them, he is very strong in the hand fight, and has a great squeeze when he's on a choke.
What's it going to take for Michael to reach that next level? I think largely it will take more opportunities for him to showcase his skills at the highest levels against quality opposition - which is what will happen July 25th when he takes on Natan Chueng. You can watch that match, and all of the WNO 29 main card matches, live exclusively on FloGrappling.
Michael Sainz vs Daniel Sathler | WNO 26: Pato vs Krikorian
Michael Sainz vs Jordan Holy | ADCC Atlanta Open
Kade Tsitos vs Michael Sainz | MCJJ 7
Michael Sainz vs Bernardo Delibero | ADCC North American Trials
WNO 29: Rocha vs Dale Full Card
- Middleweight Bout - Kit Dale vs Vagner Rocha
- Bantamweight Bout - Adele Fornarino vs Jasmine Rocha
- Light Heavyweight Bout - Roberto Jimenez vs Ryan Aitken
- Lightweight Bout - Gianni Grippo vs Owen Jones
- Middleweight Bout - Luccas Lira vs Sean Yadimarco
- Heavyweight Bout - Roosevelt Sousa vs Igor Tanabe
- Welterweight Bout - Michael Sainz vs Natan Chueng
- Undercard Middleweight Bout - Jake O'Driscoll vs. JZ Cavalcante
- Undercard Heavyweight Bout - Joselyn Molina vs Amy Grande
- Undercard Middleweight Bout - Linus von Schrenk vs Andre Porfirio
- Undercard Lightweight Bout - Matias Jimenez vs Tristan Sainz
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