Sebastian v Pixley: Interviews and Match Up Analysis

Oct 30, 2013 by Nickolas Velliquette

Much has been made about the feature bout in Flowrestling's Who's #1 dual: Johnny Sebastian v Michael Pixley. Both wrestlers have spectacular wrestling resumes, and both wrestlers have had solid presence on the national scene for some time: Sebastian was ranked 7 or 8 for much of last year, Pixley was right behind him at 8 or 9 for most of the year. At the time, 7 and 8 or 8 and 9 didn't seem so bad. I mean they were both the top ranked juniors in the country last year.

But then the offseason hit, and things changed big time: Sebastian ran right through Flonationals and dominated top 5 nationally ranked wrestler, Chip Ness, in the finals. He went beast mode. On everyone. He blew wrestling fans away with his relentless pace and overall ability to score from neutral. Like Willie Saylor, I figured him the #1 ranked wrestler in the country heading into his senior year.

Three months later, Michael Pixley did the unthinkable: he topped Johnny Sebastian. His first major statement came in beating last year's #1 ranked wrestler in his weight class at Fargo, Domenic Abounader. And he didn't just beat him -he tech-falled him; he dismantled him from all positions. He shocked everyone. That was just the start of it. Later in the tournament, he would crush another wrestler ranked ahead of him all of last year, Preston Lehmann (#4 in '12-'13). He capped off his amazing Junior Nationals run by pinning his finals opponent in the first period. You read that correctly. A first period pin in the finals of Fargo FS!

But then the national rankings came out and Willie Saylor kept Johnny Sebastian #1 over Michael Pixley. "Why?! How can this be?" I not only thought to myself but verballed to our very own Flo ranker. Stats on stats and a very one-sided debate did not change the rankings though.

Sebastian stayed number one. And Michael Pixley didn't like that.

Each wrestler is seriously convinced that he's the best in the country, and both wrestlers jumped at the oppurtunity to scrap with the other. Come Saturday, November 2nd, there will be no doubt. We will know once and for all who the best 182lb. wrestler will be for 2013-14.

My prediction: Michael Pixley dec. Johnny Sebastian, 4-3. In an awesome one!

Johnny Sebastian pumped to face Pixley, ready to defend #1 spot.

Pixley feels disrespected, wants to show Willie who the #1 wrestler in the country is.

Want to watch these two studs wrestle LIVE on Saturday, Nov. 2nd? Click here to sign up for Flo Pro and watch the Who's #1 dual and also the NWCA All Star Classic this weekend.