Karate Combat Kickback 1, the latest event from the renowned karate promotion, showcased not only captivating karate bouts but also the inaugural ‘Pit Submission Series’ featuring three Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu matches. One of John Danaher’s students, Helena Crevar, stood out with a strong performance. Meanwhile, New Wave fighters Luke Griffith and Dan Manasoiu fell short in their matches.
Hosted on January 26th at hip-hop artist Rick Ross’s estate, Karate Combat Kickback 1 delivered an electrifying blend of karate and grappling as promised.
The ‘Pit Submission Series’ matches that preceded the karate bouts featured highly anticipated matchups of Luke Griffith vs. Vagner Rocha, Max Gimenis vs. Dan Manasoiu, and Helena Crevar vs. Caitlin Murdock, exciting the crowd.
In the opening match between Helena Crevar and Caitlin Murdock, contested in an open weight class, Crevar demonstrated composure and strategic prowess. Despite not overpowering Murdock, Crevar maintained control throughout, eventually securing the win with a precise submission.
The subsequent bout saw Luke Griffith face Vagner Rocha in another open weight clash. Griffith’s size advantage was clear, but Rocha’s tenacity and skill made it intense. Rocha secured the decision, showcasing dominance despite the difference in size.
The final grappling match showcased Max Gimenis against Dan Manasoiu in an open weight battle. Despite Gimenis’ muscular build, Manasoiu’s height of 6’7″ added an intriguing dynamic. The back-and-forth action ultimately concluded with Gimenis controlling Manasoiu on the ground to a decision win.
Dan Manasoiu has been an up-and-coming fighter within New Wave for some time, so it will be worth watching if this loss impacts his standing within the promotion’s senior roster.
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