XZAVIERHICKS

Built on perseverance

Xzavier “Chokehold” Hicks is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor and wrestler whose career has been built around one word: perseverance. On the mats, Xzavier has developed a reputation as an aggressive submission-focused competitor, earning victories against high-level competition and becoming a NAGA World Champion. Throughout his career, he has repeatedly been challenged to compete outside of his comfort zone—moving up weight classes, taking on larger opponents, and eventually stepping into adult divisions while still a teenager. By 15, he was already gaining valuable experience against older competition, and as his career has progressed, he has continued testing himself in adult intermediate divisions rather than limiting himself to competitors his own age.

That same mentality carries over to wrestling at Gabriel Richard Catholic High School. Xzavier has qualified for MHSAA Regionals in each of his first three high-school seasons, persevering through difficult seasons, changing weight classes, and the demands of balancing wrestling with an active Jiu-Jitsu competition schedule. His junior season culminated in a trip to the MHSAA Division 4 State Finals at 175 pounds, giving him another major milestone heading into his senior year. Whether competing under Jiu-Jitsu rules or stepping onto a wrestling mat, Xzavier’s identity as a competitor has remained the same: seek out difficult competition, keep moving forward when circumstances change, and never be afraid to challenge himself against someone bigger, older, or more experienced.

The finisher reel

Pressure passing, relentless chain wrestling, and a back-take game that ends matches early. NAGA Worlds, IBJJF Opens, UFC BJJ Opens Las Vegas.