Justin Rader (view profile) is a busy guy. Not only is he an instructor at Lovato's School of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Oklahoma, but he's also extremely active in both the MMA and jiu-jitsu competition scene. 

In fact, just a couple weeks ago, he fought in (and won) an MMA fight at KOP 53. And on Friday, March 24, he'll be pushing himself again to the max once again when he battles Garry Tonon in the main event of Fight to Win Pro 28. 

For most people, going up against someone like the notoriously-dangerous Tonon would be intimidating by itself -- doing it so soon after the intensity and stress of an MMA fight would be much more than most athletes could handle. 

But Rader isn't like most athletes, and he thrives off the pressure of frequent, high-stakes competition. 

In fact, he's been hoping to go against Tonon for a while specifically because of how hard he knows he's going to be pushed.

My whole grappling career up to this point, I've tried to take superfight matches when I had the best advantage I could, at a time I thought was good for me, at a weight I thought was good for me, when I had adequate time to train and prepare for it, when the rules were best for me, etc. But I took [this match] two weeks after an MMA fight, training nothing but MMA, in a rule set that doesn't favor me, against one of the best and most dangerous on the sub-only scene in the world right now, and now it's time to test myself as a martial artist.

There's no question that Rader is going to get the challenge he came for -- even though he himself is a serious threat in no-gi grappling, having won the ADCC North American trials at the end of last year, he states that he "doesn't put himself on the same level" with Tonon where leg locks are concerned. But as with every opponent he faces, he's choosing to focus on his own strategy rather than what his opponent may or may not do.

Rader has indirectly helped develop the very grappler he's going up against on March 24 -- Tonon has stated that Rader was one of the athletes who influenced him early on in his jiu-jitsu career. 

Learning this "was both humbling and inspiring, especially coming from someone of the caliber as Garry," says Rader. "In many ways, he's also the inspiration behind my taking this match. He competes in everything against anybody, and does not shy away from challenges. He has no fear of losing, only sees himself winning, and it makes him one of the most dangerous opponents you could imagine. No matter who you are, you have to respect that."


Rader's humble, respectful nature might come as a surprise for those who are only familiar with the beatdowns he so often inflicts upon his opponents, but anyone who truly knows or follows him would be able to tell you that this is a man who has never forgotten where he came from, how he got here, or the importance of giving back. 

He's recently been promoting a fundraiser to help Ellie Loy: a four-year-old niece of Lovato's BJJ and MMA kids instructor Austin Adkins. Ellis is fighting against Angiosarcoma, which an extremely rare malignant vascular cancer that so far has no set treatment.

"Ellie continues to fight each day and remain positive and happy," says Rader. "She's helped inspire and bring a community together, raise awareness for such a rare disease, and provide an example for us all on how to meet adversity with grace, love, and a happy heart." 


Even as Rader prepares to compete in a match that he's wanted for such a long time, much of his excitement is focused not on himself, but on his nine-year-old student Alexis Benton, who's a yellow-black belt under him and the aforementioned Coach Adkins. Alex will also be competing at F2W 28. 

Professor Rafael and I have [competed alongside each other] many times, me as his student, and each time was special. Now, I get a chance to create these same memories as an instructor!

Rader is well aware of the hype that surrounds this match, saying that it's "going to be like Hector vs. Achilles" in terms of the action viewers can expect to see, but his motivation for victory comes from the heart rather than the buzz that always surrounds big-name grapplers who get their hand raised at Fight to Win Pro. "My family, closest friends, professors, the kids I teach, and their unwavering support helps drive me to push myself. I remember I always represent them, and I hope to set a good example for them."

Watch Fight to Win Pro 28 on Friday, March 24 at 6:30 pm CST LIVE or On Demand ONLY on FloGrappling  

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