Leandro Lo celebrates his win. Photo: Erin Herle
The 2014 IBJJF NY BJJ Pro is the first of its kind. Held in the traditional NYC location of the Nat Holman Gymnasium on the campus of the City College of New York, it offered cash prizes to the winners of particular categories.
The black belts came in from the top levels of the sport and aimed to cash in. The divisions for the male adult black belts were combined as follows:
Feather was rooster, light-feather and feather mixed into one.
Middle was light and middle mixed into one.
Heavyweight was medium-heavy and heavy mixed into one.
Ultra-heavy was super-heavy and ultra-heavy mixed into one.
Here is how the divisions played out:
Feather
Joao Miyao vs. Gianni Grippo Photo: Erin Herle
Joao Miyao took the back of Mark Ramos and secured the choke to win his first match.
Gianni Grippo faced Jonathan Thomas and the match was a battle of sweeps. By the end of the match the score was 4-4 points, 1-1 advantages and the referee decision went to Gianni.
Joao Miyao had his second match against Paulo Roberto Santana and although he suffered a sweep, he was able to make it to the back and finish the match with a bow and arrow choke.
Osvaldo “Queixinho” had a bye and stepped into his first match with Gianni Grippo. The match was mostly sweeps, toehold attempts and one dive for a crucifix/kimura by Gianni. The time narrowed down and Queixinho was down by advantages but he quickly acquired them making the score even. But the referee decision was Gianni’s with a final score of 6-6 points, 3-3 advantages, 1-1 penalties for both.
In the final, it was Gianni versus Joao. They both pulled and Gianni came up for the advantage. Joao swept, Gianni swept back. The same exchange happened and Gianni attempted two toeholds to lead with advantages. Joao swept again in the exchange to lead by points. A last ditch effort by Gianni to earn takedown points while Joao pulled failed and the title along with the $4000 went to Joao.
Middle
Otavio Sousa secures the choke over Vitor Oliveira. Photo: Erin Herle
The first match of the middle division came between new black belt Kevin Mahecha and seasoned competitor AJ Agazarm. AJ pulled guard and Kevin passed to earn the lead. AJ swept but still needed points. He eventually earned a pass of his own and later a sweep giving him the win of 7-5 points.
Vitor Oliveira faced Vinicius Agudo for his first match. It didn’t take long for him to secure the back and later the choke for his first win.
Otavio Sousa entered the bracket and faced teammate AJ Agazarm. A quick takedown defense and pull to an omoplata started the match by Otavio. AJ was able to defend and Otavio swept and later took the back and choked for the victory.
In the final, Otavio was up against Vitor. The match began with Otavio jumping guard. Vitor opened the guard and worked to pass for awhile. Eventually Otavio exploded with a sweep. As he went to pass he secured the back and the choke for the title.
Heavy
Keenan Cornelius vs. Leandro Lo. Photo: Erin Herle
The first and only match of the heavy division was between Leandro Lo and Keenan Cornelius. Tim Spriggs was set to compete in the division but was not present. Keenan pulled guard and immediately went for the worm guard. Leandro was able to deal with the lapel around his legs and secured an advantage for a pass over halfway into the match. He earned another for another pass attempt. And again. But Keenan was able to sweep to take the lead by two points. Leandro swept back and as he worked for a pass, Keenan secured an omoplata and then a gogoplata but only managed to earn an advantage. As Keenan attempted another sweep, Leandro took stepped over and managed to take the back right before time ended earning him the 6-2 lead and the title.
Ultra-heavy
Bernardo Faria vs. Abraham Marte. Photo: Erin Herle
The first ultra-heavy match between Tiago Giussani and Antonio Henriques ended rather quickly as Tiago secured a toehold in the beginning.
Abraham Marte faced Kenny Brown. He pulled guard, went to triangle was able to submit fairly quickly.
Bernardo Faria went against Tiago Giussani and pulled and earned a sweep in the beginning of the match. He went for the over-under pass and was able to use his legs to stretch out Tiago’s leg and submit with a kneebar.
In the final, it was Abraham and Bernardo. Bernardo pulled and secured a sweep, and using the same over-under guard pass, he tapped Abraham with a kneebar for the victory and the title.
Females
Nyjah Easton celebrates her win. Photo: Erin Herle
The only division with more than one athlete was the medium-heavy for the girls. Combined, there were four.
Nyjah Easton drew Karen Peterson first round and earned a pass and almost a back-take. Karen escaped but Nyjah swept and went to top half where she submitted Karen with a kimura.
Luiza Monteiro had her first match against Nathalia Amaral. Luiza pulled to x-guard, tried for the back and swept and pushed to side control. Nathalia recovered her guard multiple times but Luiza was able to keep securing the pass. As Nathalia swept, Luiza locked in a loose triangle, transfered to an omoplata and swept and as Nathalia defended, Luiza submitted with a toehold.
In the final, Luiza pulled guard and tried to attack the feet of Nyjah. But Nyjah was able to step into top half and submitted Luiza with an ezekiel for the title.
Open Class
While males had no open class, the females had to win their open class in order to win a cash prize.
Nathalia Amaral defeated Karen Peterson by choke from mount.
Nyjah Easton defeated Bibiana Silva by kimura.
Luiza Monteiro defeated Nathalia Amaral by armbar.
Luiza defeated Nyjah by triangle armbar.
See full results here: http://static.ibjjfdb.com/Campeonato/000311/en-US/Results.pdf
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