5 Exceptional Matches From ADGS Los Angeles

Not all wins are created equal – and some matches truly rise above the rest as a showcase of jiu-jitsu.

Sep 24, 2018 by Chase Smith

5 Exceptional Matches From ADGS Los Angeles

The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam LA is the second major event in the UAEJJF 2018-19 calendar and a critical juncture for the organization's rankings and season.

As such, it draws top talent from the jiu-jitsu hub that is southern California and along with international talent from abroad. There were upsets, breakout stars, and strong performances from some of the favorites. But not all wins are created equal – and some matches truly rise above the rest as a showcase of jiu-jitsu.

Below are FIVE of our favorite matches that you need to see from the event.

See all the matches in our Archive from Abu Dhabi Grand Slam LA HERE

Gabbi Pessanha vs Nathiely De Jesus– 90kg semi-Final

Is Gabbi Pessanha the new black belt hunter? It’s a nickname Rodolfo Vieira earned in 2009 when he won the UAEJJF World Pro as a brown belt in 2009 after beating 2x Black Belt World Champion Braulio Estima in the final at the Abu Dhabi World Pro, and while the organization no longer combines divisions for male athletes, women’s brown and black belts still fight each other to this day.

Pessanha has risen to the challenge with the poise of a veteran, and took home her second Abu Dhabi Grand Slam gold medal, this time besting 2x Black Belt World champion Nathiely De Jesus in the process.

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Ronaldo Junior vs Roberto Jimenez – Brown Belt 85kg Semi-Final

Roberto Jimenez made headlines in August when he was promoted to brown belt 'early' by his father Raul and Alliance leader Jacare Calvacante.

The new belt prevents Roberto from competing in IBJJF events due to restrictions on time spent at each rank, but he is still free to try his hand elsewhere, including the best brown belts in the world at the ADGS. Ronaldo Junior took home gold at the 2018 World Championships as a middleweight, and was there to great Roberto in the Brown belt division. The match had fans on their feet and went down as one of the most memorable from the event.

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Erberth Santos vs Max Gimenis – 110kg Final

We've said it before and it stands true the day after the ABGS LA / KOM: When Erberth Santos is hot, the man is simply unstoppable. Though he had a slow start early in the day, squeaking bye with just a decision win over Checkmat's Matheus Felipe in his first match, . Erberth looked dominated throughout the rest of the event, capping an excellent day with a submission win over GF Team monster Max Gimenis.

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Gianni Grippo vs Paulo Miyao – 69kg Black Belt Final

You probably already heard, but Gianni Grippo beat Paulo Miayo for the very first time. Ever. That fact alone makes this match unmissable, but it's also a showcase for technical jiu-jitsu and great defense. Paulo Miyao had Gianni on the ropes early with a near back take, and Grippo had to use all of the tools in his arsenal to claw his way back to a neutral position and begin to implement is own attacks.

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Andy Murasaki vs Lucas Protasio – 77kg Purple Belt (Opening Match)

This was not an easy first match for either athelte. Both are at the very top of the adult male purple belt talent pool, and they had an absolute war to kick of the 77kg purple belt division matches. Equal parts technical wizardry and pure mayhem, the match x two young athletes testing their physical limits and pushing each other to the brink,

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BONUS: Robin Bohlin vs Thalys Pontes – Blue Belt 69kg Final

Modern guards, smash Passes, and aggressive submission attempts – Robin Bohlin and Thalys Pontes put on one of the best blue belt matches of the event. While it's always too early to say a blue belt could be the next best thing in jiu-jitsu, these two surely have made a case for themselves becoming top prospects of the next generation.