We’ve long touted Lucas Protasio as a top prospect: the ZR team representative recently took first place at the 2018 World Championships and was promoted to purple belt on the podium, and he just keeps on delivering. 

Protasio jumped straight back into action at American Nationals over the weekend, taking home top honors in the lightweight faixa roxa division. 

But the step up in competition certainly showed: despite showing positional dominance, Protasio was unable to secure a single submission win at American Nationals – a rarity for the finish-minded athelte. 

Hit the links below to see the rising star do his thing.

• Match 1: Lucas Protasio vs Allen Gabriel
• Match 2: Lucas Protasio vs Pablo Cordero
• Match 3: Lucas Protasio vs Lucas Espinoza
• Final: Lucas Protasio vs Ricardo Briceno