In the eighth edition of Submission Only Series, Ryan Aitken of 10th Planet Atlanta tore through a tough 16-man bracket to take home the $5,000 grand prize. A Combat Jiu-Jitsu World Champion, Aitken impressively submitted all four of his opponents, including an ADCC veteran. While Aitken no doubt stole the show, Derek Rayfield and Kenta Iwamoto also displayed impressive submission skills, Rayfield finding a Dead Orchard finish in the opening round.

Coming out guns blazing, Aitken found a quick rear naked choke submission over Fedor Nikolov. Aitken pulled guard and swept to begin, controlling the tempo from start to finish. Meeting ADCC West Coast Trials 3rd Place Mike Crisp in the quarterfinals, Aitken again elected to pull guard, eventually finding a heel hook finish after defending a bevy of straight ankle lock attempts from Crisp.

In the semifinals, Aitken again found himself in a leglock battle—this time against the crafty Chris Wojcik. Remaining calm and collected as he fought off Wojcik’s attempts to enter the saddle position, Aitken found his second conseutive heel hook submission and advanced to the finals where he clashed with ADCC veteran Kenta Iwamoto.

Iwamoto earned his spot in the finals after defeating Bogdin Esin, Forrest Fraijo, and Derek Rayfield. Scoring submissions over Esin in regulation and Fraijo in overtime, Iwamoto was taken to the brink by Rayfield, but ultimately his escape time proved to be the deciding factor in the third overtime.

Aitken and Iwamoto had a fantastic bout, neither able to break through and find the finish, despite both being able to find themselves in dominant positioning at various points. While overtime was favorable to Iwamoto in the previous rounds, it was Aitken who prevailed. Submitting Iwamoto with a rear naked choke then managing an escape from the armbar spiderweb position, Aitken was crowned Submission Only Series VII Middleweight Champion and awarded the $5,000 cash prize.

In addition to the middleweight pro bracket, there was one qualifying bout and five superfights. For the full results of the SOS VII card, check below:

Full Results

Middleweight Bracket Qualifier: Fedor Nikolov vs Dylan Melton

Nikolov via armbar

Superfight: Taylor Alfaro vs. Thien Luu

Luu via armbar 2OT

Superfight: Arman Fathi vs Gil Galindo

Fathi via calf crusher

Superfight: Albert Morales vs. Jeff Willingham

Morales via arm triangle

Superfight: Jessica Sanchez vs. Dawna Gonzales

Sanchez via armbar

Superfight: Oscar de los Santos vs. Michael John

De los Santos via triangle choke from back OT

Middleweight Bracket:

Round of 16

Mike Crisp vs. Gabriel De Los Santos

Crisp via RNC OT

Derek Rayfield vs. Ari Goldman

Rayfield via dead orchard

Saul Viyara vs. Bobby Winther

Winther via arm-in guillotine

Ryan Aitken vs. Fedor Nikolov

Aitken via RNC

Chris Wojcik vs. Joshua Squires

Wojcik via Aoki lock

Mike Flach vs. Jhonny Loureiro

Loureiro via triangle choke

Forrest Fraijo vs. Matt Cox

Fraijo via triangle choke

Kenta Iwamoto vs. Bogdin Esin

Iwamoto via triangle choke

Quarterfinals

Crisp vs. Aitken

Aitken via heel hook

Wojcik vs. Winther

Wojcik via heel hook

Rayfield vs. Loureiro

Rayfield via armbar

Iwamoto vs. Fraijo

Iwamoto via RNC OT

Semifinals 

Wojcik vs. Aitken

Aitken via heel hook

Rayfield vs. Iwamoto

Iwamoto via 3OT ride time

Finals

Aitken vs. Iwamoto

Aitken via RNC OT