The ADCC 2022 West Coast Trials represented the last chance for North American competitors to claim their spot at the prestigious ADCC 2022 World Championships taking place in Last Vegas in September later this year.  The divisions were beyond loaded, and for the first time ever in trials history,  brackets were capped at a maximum of 256(!) competitors out of sheer necessity. 

Half the cast from Who’s Next: Submission Fighter Challenge presented by Tezos participated in the momentous occasion - and the results were shockingly good - from a pool of over 1000 total competitors, the eight Who's Next competitors accounted for a division champ, two silver medalists, a pair of quarter-finalists, and three more in the top 64.

The 88kg Champion: Jacob 'Jay Rod' Rodriguez

Perhaps the most unexpected outcome from the 2022 ADCC trials was the stunning performance turned in by 88kg Champion Jacob (Jay Rod) Rodriguez.  Undersized for the division and only the number 13 seed, Jay Rod submitted seven matches in a row to climb the mountain that was the 88kg division - easily one of the most impressive runs over any champion in the history of the trials.  The B-Team athlete displayed a remarkable talent at finding the back and finished every single competitor with an RNC - including fellow Who's Next cast member Adam Bradley in the quarter-finals.  

Jay Rod’s qualification means he’ll be thrown into the lion's den at ADCC worlds which includes Who's Next coach and ADCC Silver Medalist Craig Jones, returning ADCC Champ Matheus Diniz, Xande Ribeiro, and Tye Ruotolo among others.  Or maybe they're in there with him.  

Jay Rod:  ADCC Trials Highlight

Andy Varela (77kg) & 'Big Dan' (+99kg) Capture Silver Medals

Andy Varela

Andy Varela turned in one of the best performances of his career with his second-place finish at the 2022 ADCC West Coast Trials.  The 10th Planet representative took home big wins over key players such as Magid Hage, PJ Barch, and Alan Sanchez before running into William Tackett in the final and falling short by two points, showing off his fan-friendly style along the way.  

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Though still a blue belt, Dan ‘Big Dan’ Manasoui tore through the competition at ADCC trials, earning four wins and a finals berth in the over 99kg division.   Manasoui’s effective leg lock game was on full display throughout his campaign, earning him two submission wins under a minute.    A tactical error in the final against Kyle Boehm led to a penalty point for Manasoui – a deficit he could not overcome before the end of regulation.  

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Quarter-Finalists: Adam Bradley (88kg) & Andrew Tackett (66kg)

Adam Bradley’s ADCC trials performance started off in a great way: the Atos black belt pulled down four wins with two submissions before meeting eventual champ and fellow Who's Next cast member Jay Rod in the round of 16.  Bradley demonstrated poise under pressure throughout his run with a creative knack for finding the submission. 

Adam Bradley vs Danilo Burgener

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Quarter Final Andrew Tackett 66kg

One of the most thrilling performances turned in by a non-champion belonged to Andrew Tackett.  The 18-year-old competitor never let his foot off the gas, breaking his opponent's will before dealing the finishing blow.  Tackett claimed four submission wins before putting losing a referee's decision to Damien Anderson in one of the most entertaining matches of the weekend.

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Top 16 & Beyond: Breylor Grout, Max Hanson, Rene Sousa, & Fabian Ramierez

The final four competitors from Who's Next would likely rate their performances as opportunities for growth.  Breylor Grout and Max Hanson both slogged their way to the top sixteen before getting stopped short. Rene Sousa from 10th planet cracked the top 16 with three submission wins before getting stopped by Dory Aoun of checkmat.   Fabian Ramirez of Serra BJJ managed to claim two submission wins before getting edged out in a 0-0 loss in the third round.