Gabi secures an americana on Mackenzie. Photo: Erin Herle
While there weren’t too many female black belts signed up for the 2014 IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship in Azusa, CA, the Felix Event Center brought matches between high level athletes.
On Sunday, Oct. 5, the matches came down to three divisions: feather, middle, and heavy. Here is how the divisions went:
Feather
Mackenzie submits with a toehold. Photo: Erin Herle
Mackenzie Dern of Gracie Humaita faced new black belt Karen Antunes of Checkmat. Karen succeeded in completing a takedown but Mackenzie was on the move swiftly after. Mackenzie attacked the feet of Karen and vice versa but Mackenzie’s toehold was enough to make Karen tap. This is Mackenzie’s first black belt world title.
Middle
Luiza submits with a kneebar. Photo: Erin Herle
The middle division was a round robin between Nyjah Easton of Team Lloyd Irvin, Leanna Dittrich of Fight Sports and Luiza Monteiro of PSLPB Cicero Costha. The first match was between Nyjah and Leanna and started with a pull from Leanna. Nyjah closed in and worked a pass and went to mount. Leanne turned and Nyjah almost took the back but Leanna recovered. Nyjah passed once again and this time gained the back. The matched ended 11-0 in favor of Nyjah.
The second match was between Leanna and Luiza. Leanna pulled guard, Luiza worked a pass, went into 50/50 and Leanna swept. Not long after, Luiza earned a kneebar for a spot in the final.
The final began with a pull and a quick back take attempt from Luiza. Nyjah then worked a pass but Luiza attacked the foot and submitted with a toehold. The gold went to Luiza.
Heavy
Andresa attempts a back take. Photo: Erin Herle
The only match in the heavy division was between Andresa Correa of Alliance and new black belt Sijara Eubanks of Team Lloyd Irvin. The match stayed on the feet for a bit as Sijara attempted a takedown. Andresa pulled guard and Sijara tried to pressure a pass. Andresa stood for a sweep and tried to take Sijara down but she defended. Sijara shot in for a takedown but Andresa defended this time. Andresa moved to the back and attempted a choke and to get the hooks in but neither happened. Sijara came back, attempted to take Andresa down again but it was Andresa who earned the takedown. The match ended as Andresa secured a kneebar submission and the gold.
Open Class
Gabi wins yet another world title. Photo: Erin Herle
Gabi Garcia earned her spot alongside Mackenzie Dern in the final of the open class. The previous matches were determined on Saturday, Oct. 4. The match began as Gabi pulled guard. Before long she stood, grabbed Mackenzie’s legs and took her down for a sweep. Mackenzie quickly tried a guillotine but Gabi defended only to be put in a triangle by Mackenzie. Gabi stood up to defend and let Mackenzie down as she came out of the triangle hold. Gabi passed the guard, Mackenzie recovered to try and attack the leg or feet of Gabi but Gabi defended those well. Gabi pushed to top half position and secured a quick americana submission for a total match time of under three minutes.
See the full results here:
Check out a full photo gallery of the matches from Sunday:
