Battle Grapple, at just over a year old, returns with its fifth installment on the 27th July. This submission only show has gone from strength to strength, selling out almost every show and getting some significant names on board. Athletes are able to choose the submission set they play under, and there is no winner without a sub – now that Polaris has left the slogan behind, this is ‘death before decisions’ returned. Here we look at the biggest fights on the card.
The main event has Charles Negromonte versus Santeri Lilius. This is Negromonte’s Battle Grapple debut, but he is one of the most successful competitors in the world, taking the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, European No-Gi Open, and South American championship. He is one of the biggest names to ever grace this event. Santeri Lilius is a much more recent name in the BJJ scene, but no less intimidating. Ilius has taken more than his fair share of medals, and has had several Polaris appearances to top it off.
The co main is Polaris veteran Ed Ingamelles against Jackson Sousa. A match that was meant to headline Battle Grapple 4, this is a promise kept. Ingamelles has been on Battle Grapple three times before and has yet to be defeated on this stage. Jackson Sousa is highly decorated, taking gold in the European Open, Pans, and World championships, as well as a bronze at ADCC 2017. Will Ed’s leg attacks get him the win, or will Souza manage to out grapple the party bear?
The highest ranked women’s fight on the card, Yaz Wilson faces Nat Carriello. Two black belts and strong competitors, this is Roger Gracie vs Gracie Barra, and promises to be a technical match up.
Frank Rosenthal, blackbelt under Doug Pelinkovic, has won the Onnit invitational as well as the RISE Invitational twice. He made an appearance against Jay Butler on battle grapple four, winning by RNC, and now is returning against Kamil Wilk. Kamil is a veteran of Pantheon, Grapple Fest, Polaris, and is a multiple time ADCC Poland champion. Both are highly experienced black belt competitors.
Sean McDonagh smashed his Pantheon appearance against leg lock specialist Eoghan O’Flannagan, winning with a slick triangle, and has recently crushed the Spanish National Open and the British National Open, both in Gi and No-Gi. He faces Rafael Colonhese, training out of Checkmat at London Fight Zone, who headlined Battle Grapple 2 and will soon be taking part in the Victory Grappling tournament. With Sean looking to take his Battle Grapple winning streak to three, and Rafael with one of the show’s top finishes of 2018, this is one to watch.
If you want to check out the Battle Grapple 5 action, head to www.combatperformance.co.uk on Saturday, 1PM for the undercard, and 3:30PM for the main.
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