Montreal charity event deemed success with $6000 donation to GSP’s foundation

Grappling by chandelier lighting / Photo by Erin Herle

MONTREAL — As if grappling in a hotel under a chandelier in what looks like a wedding reception isn’t cool enough, the purpose of Fight for Charity 2 was even better. Proceeds of the superfight event in Canada all went to The Georges St-Pierre Foundation for anti-bullying.

Black belt gi match Jake Mackenzie (left) vs. Bruno Fernandes (right) / Photo by Erin Herle

In total, there were twelve matches varying from blue belt to black belt, gi and no-gi, male and female. For each match the athletes were announced by the Bruce Buffer-esque host, accompanied by ring girls who walked the perimeter of the mat with a sign of the athlete’s team logo, cheered on by rows of spectators at every angle and greeted by their referee. The scoreboard was fit with each athlete’s name so as not to be confused with who was who.

Some big names showed on the mat like black belt Bruno Fernandes, owner of GMA Gracie Barra Montreal, and his opponent GFT black belt Jake Mackenzie who was in town from Nova Scotia, Canada. Garry Tonon drove seven hours from New York, arriving just minutes before his gi match, fresh off his win at the ADCC Trials in Ohio. Murilo Santana of Barbosa Jiu-Jitsu also joined in, fighting a no-gi match against local Mark Colangelo, a black belt under Renzo Gracie.

Alessandro Roman Camargo accepts award for submission of the night with his bow and arrow choke / Photo by Erin Herle

In order to push for even more excitement during the event, a package worth $1,000 was boasted for submission of the night. By the end of all the matches there were four submissions to choose from, however purple belt Alessandro Roman Camardo from Toronto BJJ earned the trophy and package for his bow and arrow choke. He received a prize pack of $400 cash, and $1000 in sponsor gifts including a gi, trophy, gift certificates, custom mouthguard, supplements and more. For everyone else at the event, a total of $4000 in prizes were given by sponsors to be raffled off.

The night was a success and even Ryron Gracie showed up to watch the matches in the VIP section. Overall, the total proceeds came to $6000 to be donated straight to charity. The tone of the night was positive and a bond between all participants was built as everyone came together for a cause. Despite the element of competition present, wins or losses weren’t the concern, but rather the efforts brought forth by everyone involved.

Thanks to all of the athletes, sponsors, spectators and donations. The next event will be a seminar featuring ten top black belts.

For more information regarding GSP’s anti-bullying foundation you can click here.

See a showcase of pictures below:

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