In a stunning upset at the Craig Jones Invitational, Lucas Kanard, a last-minute replacement from Sydney, Australia, defeated the heavily favored Victor Hugo in the over 80 kilogram bracket.
The match began with Kanard, wearing a black rashguard, quickly pulling guard against Hugo, who sported a blue rashguard. Kanard, representing Sydney Wrestling Club, immediately sought to establish his renowned K-guard, a technique he’s become known for in the Australian jiu-jitsu scene.
Despite being a brown belt facing the more experienced Hugo, Kanard showed no signs of intimidation. The 33-year-old Australian, who had dominated the ADCC Asia and Oceania trials, came into the match with a clear gameplan: avoid wrestling and focus on his leg lock game.
As the match progressed, Kanard relentlessly attacked with K-guard attachments, forcing Hugo to react and defend. The Australian’s strategy was to keep Hugo off-balance and prevent him from utilizing his famously unpassable guard.
The turning point came when Kanard managed to force Hugo off-balance. In a swift sequence, Kanard capitalized on the opportunity, sweeping the larger opponent and quickly transitioning to a submission attempt. Before anyone could fully process what was happening, Hugo was tapping out.
Official result? Kanard via heel hook.
The submission, described by commentators as “the longest upset you could possibly have seen in this tournament,” was a heel hook. Kanard had managed to isolate Hugo’s leg during the sweep and immediately attacked the submission, catching the favorite by surprise.
This victory not only announced Kanard’s arrival on the international stage but also showcased the strength of the Australian leg lock game. Following in the footsteps of pioneers like Lachlan Giles and Craig Jones, Kanard demonstrated that he’s part of a new wave of technically proficient grapplers emerging from Down Under.
For Victor Hugo, this loss was a significant setback, as many had considered him the frontrunner for the bracket.
