Edwin Najmi's first full year as a competitive black belt has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride. 

It was a bumpy start to 2016 with lackluster performances at the Copa Podio Lightweight GP and the IBJJF European Championships in January. Najmi didn't like look the same dynamic, submission-hungry grappler we had come to expect. 

Stellar performances followed with a gold at the IBJJF Pans in March and a silver at the IBJJF Worlds two months alter. Whatever issues holding Najmi back from realizing his potential had been worked out. 

Most recently, Edwin took gold at the LA Grand Slam, submitting the tough Vitor Oliveira with a darce choke in the earlier rounds of the tournament. 



Now he'll switch gears for a superfight against Kevin Mahecha at the GT Open in Guatemala on Saturday, October 1. For Najmi, it's no different -- the training stays the same regardless of the competition format he's competing under.

"My goal is always to submit my opponent and I'll be looking for that this weekend," Najmi said. 

Mahecha is a technician from Florida. Along with his twin brother Brian, they've carved out reputations as crafty, strategic grapplers with tricky guards. 

Najmi is familiar with their games -- he fought Kevin at the 2016 Europeans, winning by toehold --  and he said he's done nothing special to prepare this time around.

"The routine stays the same, regardless," Najmi said.



The key to success in this match will likely be decided early on. Najmi admits he's sometimes a slow starter, and knows this is something Mahecha will try to capitalize on. 

"Kevin is super technical, the first time I fought him," Najmi said. "He really threw me off with his quick start and tight game. So I'll try to start coming faster out of the gate this time, something I tend not to do." 

You can watch this match and all of the other superfights from GT Open on FloGrappling soon! 

WATCH: Edwin Najmi vs Kevin Mahecha 2016 IBJJF Europeans