Following an exciting series of events that have taken place over the past few months, 3rd Coast Grappling is concluding their Kumite run with one more stacked card, and they’ve now released the bracket for their 160lb gi Queen of the Kumite event.
This event, like the others, will see eight competitors battle it out for the $10,000 grand prize. But this time, there’s more cash to be earned as well. According to the promotion, Mike Cipriani of Gamblers Jiu-Jitsu will be giving an additional $250 to the winner of each match. “Mike has always had a big heart for women’s jiu-jitsu and has done a ton for many in the sport. He saw this bracket and said hey I want to sweeten the pot a little bit lets get each tourney match winner paid as well. We said say no more,” 3CG shared in a post on social media.
Check out the first-round matchups below, and let us know who you think will move on to the semifinals!
Nathiely de Jesus vs. Jena Bishop
Bishop and de Jesus are two of jiu-jitsu’s big names, and for good reason: de Jesus is a multiple-time world champion in both gi and no-gi, boasting an extensive record that includes a win over Gabi Garcia at Fight 2 Win. Bishop also has a win at No-Gi Worlds to her name, and last year, she earned her spot at ADCC. These two athletes bring the fireworks every time they show up, and this will be an epic first-round match.
[poll id=”26″]
Luiza Monteiro vs. Jessi Swanson
Swanson enjoyed a decorated colored belt career, winning both Worlds and Pans as a brown belt. As a black belt, she’s moving her way up the ladder. She’s medaled at multiple big events (Worlds and Pans among them), and she’ll have the chance to add another big accomplishment to her resume when she faces off against Monteiro. It won’t be an easy trip to the second round, though — Monteiro has won Worlds in both gi and no-gi multiple times, along with a host of other major titles. She’s already taken home the UAEJJF’s “Queen of the Mats” title, earning the honor last year. Could a “Queen of the Kumite” title be next on her list?
[poll id=”27″]
Ana Carolina Vieira vs. Raquel Pa’aluhi Canuto
Vieira has earned three gold medals at Worlds, also taking home a big win at the Abu Dhabi World Pro. There’s a chance for an exciting rematch here — Vieira lost against de Jesus in a tough match that ended in a split decision at F2W 143, and though this is a stacked card, there’s still a solid chance that they could meet in the finals at 3CG Kumite 7. But Vieira will have to get past Canuto first, and that’s no easy task in itself. Canuto is a tough-as-nails Invicta fighter with lots of jiu-jitsu expertise contributing to her success in the cage. A 2017 no-gi world champion, she’s proven she has what it takes to move on to the semifinals and beyond in this tournament.
[poll id=”28″]
Nathalie Ribeiro vs. Andressa Cintra
Ribeiro has been a black belt for a couple years now, but her “big deal” status got even bigger last year when she won No-Gi Worlds. She also took home bronze at Euros earlier this year, and now, she has another big opportunity waiting for her. But the first step in making it to the finals is getting past Cintra. Cintra, for her part, will be returning to the 3CG Kumite scene, having previously won a superfight against Maggie Grindatti at 3CG Kumite III. She won Worlds last year herself, and her match against Ribeiro could likely be a very, very close one.
[poll id=”29″]
3rd Coast Grappling is still working on the other matches for this event, which is set to feature a number of superfights just like its predecessors. For now, though, take your guesses as to who will move past round one and get one step closer to becoming the champion of 3rd Coast Grappling: Kumite VII.
3rd Coast Grappling: Kumite 7 will take place on Saturday, September 26 and can be streamed live on FloGrappling.
The post 3rd Coast Grappling Kumite 7 Full Bracket Release: Nathiely De Jesus, Ana Vieira, More appeared first on Jiu-Jitsu Times.