KASAI Elite Grappling Championships have added another matchup to their third pro event as Gianni Grippo and Jon Calestine square off on Saturday, August 18. 

Grippo and Calestine will compete in a 15-minute, submission-only bout at 150lb. 

“KASAI Pro 3 continues to get bigger and better with the addition of Gianni and Jon,” said Rich Byrne, CEO of KASAI. “Both of these guys have enjoyed phenomenal success in the sport, with radically different grappling styles. We can’t wait to see who prevails in this battle next month.” 

Gianni Grippo

Grippo is a student of iconic four-time ADCC champion Marcelo Garcia. He has earned several gi and no-gi IBJJF championship at various belt levels, most recently becoming a three-time IBJJF Pan American Gi Champion earlier this year. Grippo also took third-place in the Lightweight Championship tournament at KASAI Pro 1 back in December of 2017. 

Jon Calestine

Calestine is a Brooklyn-based black belt under Daisuke Yamaji at Renzo Gracie Fight Academy. Calestine burst onto the international no-gi grappling scene by winning EBI 15 on less than 24 hours notice in February. The heel-hook expert also secured major victories at the Onnit and Sapateiro Invitationals in 2017. 

In addition to Grippo versus Calestine, ‘KASAI Pro 3’ features a battle between leg-lock savants Craig Jones and Rousimar Palhares, a heated grudge match between AJ Agazarm and Geo Martinez, plus an eight-man no-gi tournament to crown KASAI’s inaugural World Welterweight Champion. 

Those confirmed for the tournament include KASAI World Lightweight Champion Renato Canuto, Marcin Held, Vagner Rocha, PJ Barch and KASAI Pro Qualifier winner, Matheus Lutes.

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August 18 | New York City | Click here for more info