Renato and Raquel Canuto have essentially done everything together for the past eight years since their marriage became official. Now, at UFC FPI 7, they can scratch winning a grappling match on the same night off their checklist.
In the seventh installment of the UFC’s professional grappling events, Raquel Pa’aluhi Canuto faced Aislinn O’Connell in the fourth match of the night while her husband, Renato Canuto, took on Aaron Wilson two matchups later. Both were favored to get their hand raised on May 15 and became the first couple to win on the same night under the UFC Fight Pass Invitational banner.
Renato and Raquel Canuto both pick up wins at UFC FPI 7
THIS GUY ROCKS#FPI7 pic.twitter.com/iSHIGDnX04
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) May 16, 2024
As the first member of the family to step onto the mat at UFC FPI 7, Raquel Canuto received a warm welcome from the Las Vegas crowd before facing off against Aislinn O’Connell at 145 pounds. The two women were initially competitive but Canuto became more dominant as the round progressed.
Canuto would eventually transition to the back of O’Connell to establish valuable control time while relentlessly attempting submissions. The 24-year-old would defend herself enough to prevent a submission loss but the aggressive work from Canuto was sufficient enough to earn the victory by points.
Less than an hour later, Canuto’s husband, Renato Canuto, would make his way to the mat opposite Aaron Wilson. The second Canuto to compete finished his match with the best highlight of the night, submitting Wilson with a lightning-quick heel hook.
UFC FPI 7 marked the promotional debut of Renato Canuto but Raquel Canuto competed for the organization in its preceding event. At UFC FPI 6, Raquel Canuto submitted top UFC women’s bantamweight contender Karol Rosa with a rear-naked choke five minutes into the match.
Though never competing with the UFC before May 15, Renato Canuto, a native of Brazil and a student of his father, has seen international success for numerous other high-profile grappling promotions. Having previously competed for ONE Championship, Canuto briefly entertained the idea of transitioning to MMA but has solely competed in jiu-jitsu.
Renato and Raquel Canuto Relationship Timeline
According to Raquel Canuto’s BJJ Heroes profile, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu power couple met in Las Vegas while training at instructor Robert Drysdale’s academy.
Originally born and raised in Oahu, Hawaii, Raquel Canuto — previously known as Raquel Pa’aluhi — left her home to pursue an athletic career. Canuto competed in MMA from 2010-2020 but retired with just a 6-7 record and returned to her grappling roots.
Since marrying in 2016, the Canuto couple has owned and operated their gym known as Hybrid Jiu-Jitsu located in Las Vegas. Renato and Raquel Canuto continue to regularly compete in grappling tournaments and competitions with both winning world championships as recently as 2021.
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About the Author
Jaren Kawada is a freelance sports writer from Indianapolis, Indiana with a strong passion for MMA and sports betting. Kawada has also written for Sportskeeda MMA, FanSided MMA, and BetSided as a combat sports analyst.
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