Biography
Michael Pixley is an American Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and elite no-gi competitor known for his powerful wrestling base and top game. A former NCAA wrestler, Pixley transitioned to jiu-jitsu and quickly made a name for himself through dominant takedowns, relentless pressure, and a rapidly developing submission arsenal. He is especially dangerous from the front headlock, where he chains the guillotine, the darce, and other submissions with his high-level wrestling entries.
Pixley shocked the grappling world at the 2024 ADCC World Championships by submitting Nicholas Meregali with a darce—one of the biggest upsets in ADCC history and a career-defining moment that showcased his finishing ability at the highest level.
Competing for Pedigo Submission Fighting, Pixley has delivered standout performances on major platforms such as WNO and the ADCC Trials, establishing himself as one of the most athletic and dangerous forces in modern no-gi grappling.
Personal
* Legend status is reserved for retired athletes with outstanding achievements and a lasting impact on the sport.
Rankings
Submissions Breakdown
| Submission | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Darce | 13 | 0 |
| Kimura | 2 | 0 |
| Rear naked | 1 | 1 |
| Peruvian necktie | 1 | 0 |
| Guillotine | 1 | 0 |
| Inside heel hook | 0 | 1 |
| Aoki lock | 0 | 1 |
| Opponent | Result | Date | Event | Method | Weight | Round | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Rodriguez | Draw | 8/31/2025 | CJI 2 | N/A | Quintet | Quarter-Finals | 94 |
| Nata Tenca | Win | 2025 | No-Gi Worlds (Brown) | Points | Super-Heavyweight | Finals | 266 |
| Rogerio Drews | Win | 2025 | No-Gi Worlds (Brown) | Darce | Super-Heavyweight | Semi-Finals | 140 |
| Alex Hudic | Win | 2025 | No-Gi Worlds (Brown) | Kimura | Super-Heavyweight | Quarter-Finals | 56 |
| Milo Ketterhagen | Win | 2025 | No-Gi Pans (Brown) | Darce | Super-Heavyweight | Finals | 122 |
| Pietro Emanuel Do Amaral Leal | Win | 2025 | No-Gi Pans (Brown) | Darce | Super-Heavyweight | Semi-Finals | 70 |
| Mohmad Waell Qablany | Win | 2025 | No-Gi Pans (Brown) | Guillotine | Super-Heavyweight | Quarter-Finals | 25 |
| Roberto Abreu | Loss | 2024 | ADCC | Points: 8-0 | -99KG | — | — |
| Rafael Lovato Jr. | Loss | 2024 | ADCC | Decision | 99KG | Semi-Finals | — |
| Nicholas Meregali | Win | 2024 | ADCC | Darce | 99KG | Quarter-Finals | 356 |
| Vinicius Ferreira | Win | 2024 | ADCC | Darce | 99KG | 16 | 309 |
| Adam Bradley | Win | 2024 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Decision | 99KG | Finals | 333 |
| Daishi Goto | Win | 2024 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Penalty | 99KG | Semi-Finals | 190 |
| Cody Linton | Win | 2024 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Peruvian necktie | 99KG | Quarter-Finals | 33 |
| Garrett Lineberger | Win | 2024 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Rear naked | 99KG | 16 | 24 |
| Michael Ross | Win | 2024 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Kimura | 99KG | 32 | 19 |
| Scott Pelzel | Win | 2024 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Darce | 99KG | 64 | 14 |
| Nick Rodriguez | Loss | 2024 | UFC FPI 8 | Rear naked | N/A | — | — |
| Luccas Lira | Loss | 2024 | UFC FPI 9 | Penalty | 95KG | — | — |
| Adam Bradley | Loss | 2023 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Points: 5-0 | 99KG | 16 | — |
| Benjamin Sutz | Win | 2023 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Darce | 99KG | 32 | 17 |
| Ricky King | Win | 2023 | ADCC Trials - East Coast North America | Darce | 99KG | 64 | 13 |
| Abraham La Montagne | Loss | 2023 | No-Gi Worlds (Purple) | Aoki lock | Heavyweight | Quarter-Finals | — |
| Joseph Kropschot | Win | 2022 | ADCC Open - Las Vegas | Darce | 100KG | Finals | 27 |
| Jahred Dell | Win | 2022 | ADCC Open - Las Vegas | Darce | 100KG | Semi-Finals | 15 |
| Martin Pineda | Win | 2022 | ADCC Open - Las Vegas | Darce | 100KG | Quarter-Finals | 3 |
| Brandon George | Win | 2022 | ADCC Open - Las Vegas | Points: 3-0 | 100KG | 16 | 2 |
| Paul Ardila | Loss | 2022 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Inside heel hook | 99KG | 16 | — |
| Frisco DeLeon | Win | 2022 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Darce | 99KG | 32 | 17 |
| William Edelen | Win | 2022 | ADCC Trials - West Coast North America | Darce | 99KG | 64 | 13 |
| William Edelen | Win | 2022 | Tezos WNO | Decision | Light Heavyweight | — | 1 |
| Owen Livesey | Loss | 2022 | GrappleFest 12 | Decision | N/A | — | — |