What Happens When Judo, MMA and Jiu-Jitsu Collide Under Sub-Only Rules?

All eyes will be on the highly-anticipated grappling superfight between Travis Stevens and Yuri Simoes but it’s not the only high-level grappling clash to get excited for.

Aug 12, 2017 by FloGrappling

What Happens When Judo, MMA and Jiu-Jitsu Collide Under Sub-Only Rules?

All eyes will be on the highly-anticipated grappling superfight between judo Olympian Travis Stevens and ADCC champ Yuri Simoes, but it’s not the only high-level grappling clash to get excited for.

Watch Fight To Win Pro 44: Travis Stevens vs Yuri Simoes LIVE or On Demand ONLY on FloGrappling!

An MMA fighter returns to his roots

UFC heavyweight title challenger Gabriel Gonzaga, a 2006 IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Champion, will once again don the gi to face off against Shaun Durfee, a black belt and former MMA fighter based in Portland, ME.

Gonzaga is a hulking 260lb beast of a man with an aggressive, physical top game. Durfee has faced bigger men in the past both gi and no-gi, but will definitely need to play smart to counter Gonzaga’s experience.

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MMA fighter and judo Olympian Rick Hawn. Photo: Mike Calimbas

Stevens not the only Olympian in action

Well-known MMA fighter Rick Hawn will also appear, competing in a 175 lb black belt match in the gi versus Aniss Al-Hajjajy of Brazilian Top Team.

Hawn represented the USA at the 2004 Olympic Games, placing 9th. A lifelong grappler with a background in judo and wrestling, he is a veteran of 25 MMA fights (the majority of them in Bellator) where he fought as both a lightweight and welterweight.

The action doesn’t stop there, with over 25 fights, 12 of which are black belt matches.

All-Brazilian affair promises fireworks

A pair of world-class black belts from Brazil will battle in a 180lb match when Robson ‘Mau Mau’ Rodigues of GF Team and Vinicius Agudo of Soul Fighters face off. Agudo is a former world champion, while Agudo is a regular on Fight To Win with plenty of sub-only experience.

How to Watch Fight To Win Pro 44: Travis Stevens vs Yuri Simoes

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