Marianas Open Jiu Jitsu Championship

Felipe Pena Defends Marianas Title With Thrilling Performance

Felipe Pena Defends Marianas Title With Thrilling Performance

Felipe Pena Defends Marianas Title With Thrilling Performance

Apr 30, 2017 by Reid Connell
Felipe Pena Defends Marianas Title With Thrilling Performance
For full results and match links click here.

It was an incredibly exciting day of jiu-jitsu in Guam. The 2017 Marianas Open delivered an exceptional display of elite jiu-jitsu while showcasing some of the biggest names in the sport.

The 2016 champion Felipe Pena wowed the crowd in attendance for the 10th annual Marianas Open with four impressive matches that brought the local audience to their feet. The Gracie Barra blackbelt finished three out of his four opponents and once again became the Marianas Open Champion.

After submitting Nick Calvanese in the dying seconds of the heayweight final Pena took on the under 180lb champion Isaque Bahiense in a unification super fight with $7,000 on the line.

The fight was fast and exhilarating, just 45 seconds was all it took for Pena to reclaim his crown and take home the $10,000 total grand prize.

Watch Felipe Pena vs Isaque Bahiense Marinas Open


Isaque Bahiense continued his ascent into the black belt ranks by turning in a dominant performance throughout the tournament. In his first match the Alliance black belt submitted Viking Wong with a brutal clock choke. From there Bahiense was able to control the fight versus both Renato Canuto and Johnny Tama and win both via points. 

Although Bahiense ultimately lost to the larger Pena it'll be good practice for Worlds next month as he regularly competes in the absolute division and could see Pena again down the line. Isaque also took home $3,000 for winning all three of his matches in the bracket. 

​Watch Isaque Bahinse vs Renato Canuto Marianas Open


Tanner Rice and Johnny Tama also took home medals at the mega tournament and thrilled the Guam crowd with vicious submission victories. After putting up 37 points Tanner Rice pulled off one of the ore memorable submissions. But it was Johnny Tama who had the submission of the night with an estima lock over Atos black belt Michael Liera Jr.

​Watch Johnny Tama vs Michael Liera Je. Marianas Open