Ryan works on Toquinho’s back. Blanca Marisa Garcia
Taking no time off after a double-gold run at ADCC 2019, Gordon Ryan returned to the mat last weekend for a superfight with Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares at the World Jiu-Jitsu Festival in California.
The duel, which closed out the two-day event, had a 15-minute time limit with only a submission or judges’ decision determining the winner. To win, Ryan switftly put his guard to work. While Toquinho tried to move and use his foot locks, Ryan managed to spin and use a lapse of attention by the Brazilian in trying to catch the back to slip to the back, all right in the first few minutes. With the back-take secured, Ryan then spent ten minutes looking for a way to finish Toquinho, who was defending fiercely. At the end, Ryan was declared the winner.
Rafael Lovato, the no-gi world champion and Bellator title holder, was also on the card in a superfight. He was able to finish Richie Martinez with a kimura.
In other highlights, Mickey Musumeci finished Joseph Lee via omoplata, Diego “Sem Noção” Ramalho beat Bill Cooper with a straight foot lock, and Edwin Najmi beat Mathias Luna with a rear naked choke.
Rafael Lovato with the kimura locked in place. Blanca Marisa Garcia
