Felipe Preguiça defeated Nicholas Meregali at Spaten Fight Night 3. Photo: Press Release / Spaten
Felipe Preguiça and Nicholas Meregali starred in another episode of one of the greatest rivalries in modern Jiu-Jitsu. The legends of the gentle art faced off in the opening fight of Spaten Fight Night 3 and, despite the historical score being 2-0 for the Brazilian, this time it was the Brazilian who had his arm raised.
With the victory, Felipe Preguiça became the first fighter to win a jiu-jitsu match on the mat at Spaten Fight Night. The athlete places this achievement alongside some of the main titles of his career in the gentle art, such as the 2017 ADCC and the three-time IBJJF world championship.
Felipe Preguiça manages the result and defeats Nicholas Meregali.
PENA DERRUBA MEREGALI! 💥🥋
Felipe Pena knocks Meregali down on the mat at Spaten Fight Night 3 and secures the advantage in the round! 🔥 The duel is heating up and Pena is showing he's here to fight for the crown. #MoreStrengthLessBitterness #SpatenFightNight3 #Drink with moderation
@spaten_br pic.twitter.com/soP4xAoap3— Combate (@combate) August 30, 2026
Meregali and Preguiça began the duel with an intense struggle for a grip on the nape of the neck. The faster Nicholas intimidated his rival with pulls and feints on the legs. After a period of inactivity, however, the referee stopped the duel and penalized both athletes.
With the fight resuming, Felipe took advantage of a moment of carelessness and applied a double leg takedown on Nicholas, landing in the gaucho's closed guard.
Preguiça continued to control the fight without taking major risks and, in the final stretch, managed to advance his position until reaching half-guard, but did not have enough time to complete the pass.
The second round began with Meregali taking the initiative. Trailing on points, the Brazilian went on the offensive with new feints and holds that varied between the wrist and neck. Despite the pressure, Nicholas couldn't turn the movement into an effective takedown attempt. Pena, in turn, remained firm, maintaining his posture and avoiding his opponent's holds.
Aware that he was behind on points, Meregali returned for the third round needing a submission and went on the offensive against Preguiça. In the opening seconds, Nicholas managed to unbalance his opponent with a foot pass, but couldn't capitalize on the opportunity.
Next, Nicholas attempted a single leg takedown, but even after lifting Preguiça's foot off the ground, he couldn't complete the takedown. Seeing his rival's desperation, Preguiça tried to surprise him with a takedown, but ended up exposing his neck and was nearly caught by Meregali.
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