Combat Jiu Jitsu returns to action for the first time this year, as Combat Jiu Jitsu Worlds 2023: The Lightweights goes down live from Poliforum in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. For those unfamiliar, Combat Jiu Jitsu is EBI-rules Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with the added wrinkle of the availability of open-palm strikes on the ground, allowing for the possibility of a TKO finish.
A year ago, EBI 19 featured a 16-man welterweight tournament, where Alan Sanchez reigned supreme. He will look to repeat that success tonight in the featured 16-man welterweight CJJ tournament along with some other familiar faces. Ivan Leyva, Oscar De Los Santos, Aaron Harris, and Mikey Gonzalez all competed in that tournament as well and will once again be gunning for Sanchez and the welterweight title. Gonzalez and Leyva are no strangers to CJJ, having both competed at Combat Jiu Jitsu Worlds 2021: The Middleweights with Gonzalez also competing at Combat Jiu Jitsu Worlds 2022: The Lightweights.
A few of tonight’s competitors also competed at Combat Jiu Jitsu Worlds 2021: The Welterweights. Derek Rayfield was a semifinalist in that tournament and a finalist at the 2021 middleweight tournament as well. Bobby Emmons competed in that tournament as well, and also competed in the 2019 welterweight iteration and the 2020 lightweight tournament. Including the aforementioned tournaments for the Dana White’s Contender Series alum, Gonzalez was also featured in that tournament.
A pair of Andrews will move from other grappling promotions to make their CJJ Worlds debuts, as 2022 ADCC Open 76kg and absolute champion Andrew Tackett and Fury Pro Grappling veteran Andrew Kochel will compete.
The sport of MMA is well-represented in the tournament, with LFA veterans Jacob Rosales and Shane Shapiro joining Dana White’s Contender Series alums Gonzalez and Kaleio Romero, CFFC veteran Nicholas Willey, and Argentinian 16-fight veteran Bruno Cannetti set to fight.
Two more decorated grapplers round out the tournament: Fight2Win veteran Aaron Wilson and New Wave Jiu Jitsu standout and the first person in BJJ to choke Gordon Ryan to sleep, Davis Asare.
The two special matches will see Bellator veteran Ian Butler and Fury FC prospect Jacob Small face 10th Planet San Diego product Angel Villegas and CJJ Worlds Team Duel champion Mike John respectively.
Stay tuned to MMA Sucka for live updates on Combat Jiu Jitsu Worlds 2023: The Welterweights. The action begins at 7pm ET/4pm PT on UFC Fight Pass.
Combat Jiu Jitsu Worlds 2023: The Welterweights Results
Finals
Andrew Tackett def. Alan Sanchez via Fastest Escape Time After Overtime Rounds
Special Match
Angel Villegas def. Ian Butler via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in Overtime Round 2, Top Half
Semifinals
Alan Sanchez def. Derek Rayfield via Submission (Heel Hook) at 2:15 of Regulation
Andrew Tackett def. Davis Asare via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:19 of Regulation
Special Match
Mike John def. Jacob Small via Submission (Triangle Choke) at 1:00 of Regulation
Quarterfinals
Derek Rayfield def. Jacob Rosales via Submission (Dead Orchard) at 1:39 of Regulation
Alan Sanchez def. Aaron Harris via Submission (Mounted Guillotine Choke) at 0:32 of Regulation
Davis Asare def. Mikey Gonzalez via Submission (Straight Ankle Lock) at 1:02 of Regulation
Andrew Tackett def. Bobby Emmons via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 1:28 of Regulation
Opening Round
Derek Rayfield def. Shane Shapiro via Submission (Anaconda Choke) at 4:54 of Regulation
Jacob Rosales def. Oscar De Los Santos via Fastest Escape Time After Overtime Rounds
Aaron Harris def. Andrew Kochel via Fastest Escape Time After Overtime Rounds
Alan Sanchez def. Ivan Leyva via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 0:57 of Regulation
Davis Asare def. Kaleio Romero via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:58 of Regulation
Mikey Gonzalez def. Aaron Wilson via Submission (Heel Hook) at 8:38 of Regulation
Bobby Emmons def. Bruno Cannetti via Fastest Escape Time After Overtime Rounds
Andrew Tackett def. Nicholas Willey via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:28 of Regulation
