Fight to Win Pro 17

James Puopolo vs Joao Gabriel Rocha To Headline Fight To Win Pro 17

James Puopolo vs Joao Gabriel Rocha To Headline Fight To Win Pro 17

The fight card for Fight To Win Pro 17 has been announced and the headlining match features a heavyweight clash between Joao Gabriel Rocha of Soul Fighters

Oct 7, 2016 by Hywel Teague
James Puopolo vs Joao Gabriel Rocha To Headline Fight To Win Pro 17
The fight card for Fight To Win Pro 17 has been announced and the headlining match features a heavyweight clash between Joao Gabriel Rocha of Soul Fighters versus James Puopolo of Lovato BJJ on October 29 in North Richland Hills, Texas. 

The two black belts, who both compete in the ultra heavyweight class, will face off in a gi match that tops off an event of 29 submission-only matches.

Rocha, who is from Rio de Janeiro but now living in San Jose, California, is a 25-year-old grappler with silver medals in the 2015 IBJJF World championships and the absolute division of the 2015 ADCC World Submission Fighting Championships. 

James Puopolo lives in Salem, Oregon and runs Salem-Keizer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Representing Lovato BJJ, he trains with the black belt world champion in Oklahoma a few times a year. Another decorated grappler, Puopolo won silver at this year's IBJJF World Championships. 

The full fight card can be found below: 

Fight to Win Pro 17 

When: Saturday, October 29
Where: Nytex Sports Complex, North Richland Hills, TX

Main Event -- 225lbs Black Belt Gi
Joao Gabriel Rocha (Soul Fighters) vs. James Puopolo (Lovato BJJ)

Co-Main Event -- 175lbs Black Belt Gi
Alex Martins (Alex Martins BJJ) vs. Albert Hughes (Genesis)

205lbs Black Belt No-gi
Michael Alexander (Team Lutter) vs. Eddie Ricardo (Cobra BJJ)

190lbs Black Belt Gi
Leonardo Machado (BTT) vs. Seth Nomran (OMA)

165lbs Black Belt No-gi
Juan Tatum (Peak) vs. Sam Snow (Alliance)

220lbs Black Belt Gi
Brent Casiglio (Ironside MMA) vs. Stephen Presado Hall (Octagon MMA)

205lbs Black Belt No-gi 
Sebastian Clark (Checkmat) vs. Rocky Budhri  (All American MMA)

160lbs Black Belt Gi
Bobby Pena (Soul Fighters) vs. Eddie Saenz (Lovato Kingdom MMA)

185lbs Black Belt No-gi
Chris Hoddy (Ntmma) vs. Marc Ayub (Evolve BJJ)

265lbs Black Belt Gi
Jeff Owen (Team Lutter) vs. Ivan Bozovic (All American MMA)

140lbs Black Belt No-gi
Lucas Pinheiro (Alex Martins BJJ) vs. Joao Pedro Somalia (Checkmat)

155lbs Black Belt No-gi
Levi Mowles (Bquick BJJ) vs. Dennis Thomas (Street Jitsu)

160lbs Brown Belt No-gi
Jordan Shepler (Alvarez BJJ) vs. Dan Zalewiski (Next Generation) 

155lbs Brown Belt Gi
Edmaicon Moraes Da Silva (Gracie Gym Plano) vs. Deymond Stephens (Genesis BJJ)

175lbs Brown Belt Gi
Loronz Marion (Soul Fighters) vs. Jonathan Hunter (Shebaro BJJ)

140lbs Brown Belt Gi
Mario Lozano (Marcello Garcia) vs. Vinny Saenz (Lovato BJJ)

220lbs Brown Belt Gi
Nathan Hallford (Alvarez BJJ) vs. Ryan Kovach (Team X)

145lbs Brown Belt Gi 
Chris Nelson (Caio Terra BJJ) vs. Blake Dvorak (Top Game BJJ)

160lbs Purple Belt Female
Chelsah' Lyons (Marcello Garcia) vs. Brittney Elkin (Team Wildman)

170lbs Purple Belt Gi
Bobby Alexander (Team Lutter) vs. Tba

255lbs Purple Belt No-gi 
Dulce Florez (Alex Martins BJJ) vs. Travis Clark (All American MMA)

140lbs Purple Belt No-gi
Victoria Antelante (Soul Fighters) vs. Nikki Sullivan (Nice Guys BJJ)

165lbs Purple Belt Gi
Benjamin Azzuziato (Team Lutter) vs. Wes Arnold (Mohler MMA)

185lbs Purple Belt No-gi
Dakota Ranallo (Epic Fight and Fitness) vs. Matthew Barry (RCJ Machado)

150lbs Purple Belt Gi
Mario Espindola (Rentato Tavares BJJ) vs. Matheus Gabriel (Checkmat)

175lbs Purple Belt Gi
Dakota Westin (Peak BJJ) vs. Michael Salazar (Alex Martins BJJ)

215lbs Purple Belt Gi
Rhyan Young (UFC Gym) vs. Martin Rojas (Watkins Jiu Jitsu)

195lbs Purple Belt Gi
Austin Forsythe (Peak BJJ) vs. Wally Thompson (Redding Martial Arts)

120lbs No-gi Teen
Madison Wolfe (Soul Fighters) vs. Jessie Crane (Alvarez BJJ)