Image Credit: FloGrappling / Emerald City Invitational 2
The Emerald City Invitational 2 tournament just took place… And boy, was it full of action! It featured a 145-pound championship bracket, from which Gianni Grippo emerged victorious; as well as a number of superfights.
Here’s what happened at the championship’s finals match.
FINALS: GIANNI GRIPPO VS. KENNEDY MACIEL
Maciel got a Single Leg against Grippo at the start of the match, after which Grippo began playing his signature guard game. Grippo went an unsuccessful leg attack, after which Maciel resumed to passing the guard. Grippo defended against these attempts successfully for some time, but Maciel managed to pass eventually and solidify his North-South position.
However, with just 45 seconds remaining in regulation time, Grippo created space – leaving Maciel with futile attempts to pass guard until the end.
It was Grippo on Maciel’s back for the first half of the first round of overtime. He managed to trap Maciel’s arm and tried to get his free arm underneath the opponent’s chin, but Maciel defended well until time ran out.
In the second half, Maciel immediately locked up the Body Triangle and sunk in the Rear Naked Choke. Grippo successfully defended against the RNC with his chin until the time went out.
The second round of overtime began with Grippo locking in a Body Triangle himself. Maciel almost managed to escape from it, even standing up to his feet in order to shake off his opponent, but Grippo kept tight until the very end.
Maciel took the back once more, getting the Body Triangle yet again. Grippo tried hard to escape, but was ultimately unsuccessful – even though he, at one point, got his shoulders to the mat.
The third round commenced. Grippo, on the opponent’s back, secured the Body Triangle once again. He went for a choke at first, but then transitioned to a palm-to-palm grip – cranking Maciel’s face until the end of first half.
Maciel chose to start from the back once again. Getting it going with a Body Triangle, he went for a Rear Naked Choke – but Grippo got his shoulders free yet again. He rolled with them until he ended up in bottom Mount – thus getting the win via fastest escape time, taking home the title of the Emerald City Invitational 2 championship.
EMERALD CITY INVITATIONAL 2: FULL RESULTS
Superfights:
- Jaidyn Mueller defeats Adelina Alvarez via Rear Naked Choke
- John Lyons defeats Dylan Garofalo via Rear Naked Choke (OT)
- Albruce Touaev defeats Dez McDonald via Rear Naked Choke (OT)
- Trinity Pun defeats Fleur Wayman via Rear Naked Choke (OT)
- Savion Maranon defeats Jacob Rodriguez via Rear Naked Choke (OT)
- Laura Kent defeats Eve Isaacs via Triangle Choke
- Andrew Solano defeats Dillon Masington via Armbar (OT)
- Andrew Kochel defeats Nick Willey via Guillotine
- Rey de Leon defeats Jack Stapleton via Shoulder Lock
- Joe Baize defeats Drew Puzon via Heel Hook
145lbs Tournament – Round 1:
- Kennedy Maciel defeats Jeff Mock via Reverse Triangle
- Frank Rosenthal defeats David Weintraub via Reverse Triangle
- Keith Krikorian defeats Suraj Budhram via Rear Naked Choke
- Estevan Martinez defeats Cameron Mellott via Rear Naked Choke (OT)
- Gianni Grippo defeats Ellis Karadag via Heel Hook
- Raul Rosas Jr. defeats Luis Quinones via Rear Naked Choke (OT)
- Gabriel Sousa defeats John Battle via Rear Naked Choke (OT)
- Damien Anderson defeats Richard Alarcon via Kimura Lock
Quarter-Finals:
- Kennedy Maciel defeats Frank Rosenthal via Neck Crank
- Keith Krikorian defeats Estevan Martinez via fastest escape (OT)
- Gianni Grippo defeats Raul Rosas Jr. via Rear Naked Choke (OT)
- Damien Anderson defeats Gabriel Sousa via Heel Hook
Semifinals:
- Kennedy Maciel defeats Keith Krikorian via fastest escape (OT)
- Gianni Grippo defeats Damien Anderson via fastest escape (OT)
Finals:
- Gianni Grippo defeats Kennedy Maciel via fastest escape (OT)
