High-Pressure Clash: Pozas and Robichaux Set for 165-Pound Black Belt Showdown

HOUSTON — Two of Texas’ most seasoned black belts will collide when Victor Pozas meets Chad Robichaux in a 165-pound no-gi showdown at Submission Hunter Pro 100 on Nov. 16 at Imagen Venues.

Both men enter the matchup with decades of mat time and contrasting approaches — and both expect a high-pressure, submission-oriented battle on the promotion’s milestone 100th event.

Robichaux, a Carlson Gracie black belt and Force Recon Marine veteran, said he plans to impose his trademark nonstop pace from the opening bell.

“I have full intentions of coming out and pushing the pace hard, bell to bell,” Robichaux said. “I fully intend to secure a submission and win this match.”

The bout marks Robichaux’s return to competition — a personal promise he made for his 50th birthday.

“This is super special because me competing is a special gift to myself,” he said. “I always said since I was 40 years old, when I turned 50, no matter what I had going on, I wanted to get back in and compete.”

Robichaux expects stylistic contrasts to create an engaging matchup.

“If he wants to stand on the feet with me, I’m going to be pushing a takedown,” he said. “If he sits down and pulls guard, I’m going to blast past his guard, and I’m going to be on top of him… that’s how I like to compete.”

On the other side, Pozas — owner of The Dark Side No-Gi — enters with a reputation for relentless, submission-hunting offense from every position.

“Relentless, consistent pressure, and I’m always looking for the submission,” Pozas said. “Whether I’m on top, bottom, side control, I’m still attacking.”

Pozas has long coached athletes at Submission Hunter Pro, but said this 100th-event card was the moment he’d been waiting for to compete.

“Submission Hunter Pro is an event I’ve always wanted to be a part of, and I was just waiting for the right moment,” he said. “This 100th anniversary event is that moment.”

Pozas carries major respect for Robichaux’s well-rounded background.

“He’s a very well-established grappler, black belt, from Carlson Gracie Academy — really good academy, really good guy,” he said. “He’s a Force Recon Marine, an author, a pastor… a man of many hats. I’m a man of one. This is my life. This is what I do.”

Both athletes also emphasized what the matchup means to their teams. Robichaux spoke about his lifelong pressure-heavy style, while Pozas said the bout sets an example for the students watching him step into the arena.

“It’s important to lead from the front,” Pozas said. “I think it’s a treat for them to be able to watch their coach compete to the best of his abilities.”

For Robichaux, the return feels like a celebration of his longevity in the sport.

“People that hadn’t grappled with me before always say, ‘Man, the pressure, the weight, the constant attacks,’” he said. “My age is something that hasn’t affected my ability to grapple that way.”

Submission Hunter Pro 100 streams live Sunday on UFC Fight Pass.