pressure on his shoulder to prevent the sweep, got to his knees, and defended in very technical and ballsy fashion. As Rick started to roll out, Ryron's omoplata began to sickeningly look more and more like a potential crucifix. From there Ryron opted to try and take Rick's back and applies an omoplata on Rick's arm, but like the soldier he is Rick escaped with textbook timing and precision, but somehow Ryron gained 2 points on the same reversal Rick was awarded nothing for, taking his first lead over Rick 4x2 at about the 12 minute mark. Ryron begins playing the open guard and Rick, not wanting anything to do with Ryron's arsenal of guard attacks, gets both of his arms under Ryron's legs. So Ryron calmly introduced his spider guard and switched quickly back into another butterfly guard, while trying to attack Rick's left arm. Rick seemed to be in a little trouble at this point, but nothing serious. Ryron then seemed to increase his pressure and intensity and almost took Rick's back. Ryron begins a rear naked choke attempt with one hook in, but Rick quickly defends. Ryron then uses an under grip on Rick. Rick gets out and is now on top. Rick stands up as Ryron continues to sit, before joining Rick on his feet. They both established grips in a wrestler style tie-up, as Rick suddenly drops down and scooped up Ryron’s left leg for another single leg takedown to even the match at 4x4. As they hit the mat, Ryron falls back into a butterfly guard. Rick tries to jump to pass, but Ryron recovers. With time winding down at the 18-minute mark, Ryron swept Rick to regain a two-point advantage at 6x4. Rick is now turtled and Ryron has one hook in. Rick began trying to escape the same way he had earlier, by bridging out while defending the other hook. Ryron seemed to smell blood at this point and sunk the other hook, going up 10x4, while flattening Rick down to his stomach to prevent any more escapes. Ryron began grapevining Rick's legs as he steadily sunk the mata leão tighter and tighter like a boa constrictor. After defending the choke longer than what seemed humanly possible, Rick finally tapped out at about the 18:30 mark, and Ryron won one of the most technical and exciting super fights anyone's witnessed in quite some time.

Simply stated, the fight was off the hook, and I'd definitely love to see a rematch between them at the Pan Americans on June 3rd. This is mostly because Rick is one of the fastest learners in the sport. Case in point, he lost a very close match to Marcos Avellan at the ADCC trials in September and then came back to beat him at the GQ West in November. I know Rick vs. Ryron II would be just as exciting with an end result that no one could truly predict from just one match!

In a nutshell, Ryan Gregg, Scotty and Gumby from OTM, the World Grappling Games, and the crew from the OTM Fight Shop in Hermosa Beach made the second annual Best of the West a resounding success that will indelibly find its place in grappling history. Their weeks of work and preparation that lasted into the wee hours of the night before the tournament paid dividends and helped ensure the old age adage that one must lay in the bed they make. In the case of the Best of the West, it appears they will be sleeping in a California King sized bed, with plush pillows from Indonesia, and an automated masseur!