By Dan Rod
Kasai Grappling is quickly establishing their events as wholesome, intimate shows of high-level Jiu-Jitsu. For their next pro show, this April 14, the qualifiers happened this weekend at a dojo in Brooklyn, spectators on the mat along with the fighters – a 9-men bracket of hand-picked guys hungry and ready to go pro, from as far away as Spain and Montreal.
Nick Calvanese from Tac Team BJJ ended up taking the overall win over Pierre-Olivier Leclerc from Trystar Gym and will be moving on to the pro show.
Keep an eye out for their shows; last one sold out and it was blast to see live.
Here are the complete results:
Quarterfinals
Matthew Martinez (East Coast United) def. Justin Michael (Alliance Charlotte) via points (5×0)
Nick Calvanese (Tac Team BJJ) def. Juan Quispe (Renzo Gracie Brooklyn) via points (14×0)
Steven Kasten (10th Planet Jiu Jitsu) def. Steven Ramos (Essential Jiu Jitsu) via Submission (Heel Hook @2:52 remaining)
Pierre-Olivier Leclerc (Trystar Gym) def. Jonathan Potts (Monster Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA) via Submission (Heel Hook @0:24 remaining)
Matthew Martinez (East Coast United) def. Chris Schlesinger (Soca BJJ) via Submission (Knee Bar @00:36 remaining of extended time)
Semifinals
Pierre-Olivier Leclerc (Trystar Gym) def. Steven Kasten (10th Planet Jiu Jitsu) via points (7×2)
Nick Calvanese (Tac Team BJJ) def. Matthew Martinez (East Coast United) via points (13×0)
Final
Nick Calvanese (Tac Team BJJ) def. Pierre-Olivier Leclerc (Trystar Gym) via points
