Mayssa with EBI’s first women’s GP belt. Photo: Blanca Marisa Garcia
Held in Austin, Texas, the Eddie Bravo Invitational’s 18th edition featured its first women’s GP, where 16 strawweight athletes competed in no-gi BJJ last Sunday.
After four duels that ended in submissions, black-belt Mayssa Bastos of GFTeam had won EBI’s first women’s belt.
First she had to use every weapon from her guard to outplay Fabiana Jorge — a win that came in overtime through a rear naked choke. Then she subbed Fiona Watson with heel hook on her way to the semifinal that would be the highlight of the event.
On the other side, facing Mayssa, was Rikako Yuasa, a four-time IBJJF roosterweight world champion (2015, 2016, 2017 e 2018) and one of the favorites. Mayssa was undaunted, taking the back and finishing Rikako with a rear naked choke.
In the final, another rear naked choke for good measure, this time against Patrícia Fontes. Mayssa’s triumphant run earned her 10,000 dollars, and she came really close to getting a 10,000-dollar bonus had she submitted all opponents without overtime.
