Music City Grappling Championships Nashville Tennessee September 10th, 2005

The second day of the 10th annual US Open of JiuJitsu began with the blue belts and was crowned with the first brown/black team competition on American soil. The whole day was packed with action and tremendous displays of skill.

Plenty of black belts put it on the line once again in Santa Cruz Megaton Dias defeated Eduardo Leitao in a fetherweight masters match. In a very tough match Walter Vitale defeated Paulo "JR" Gazze.

US Open Quick Report

The first day went smoothly as always at Claudio Franca's US Open. A ton of White Belts began the day's action. For this first time this year instead of making all the women compete at once, the women were called up along their respective male counterparts belt level.

In the purple belts featherweight Pacific Martial Arts teammates Greg Ashbury and Jorge Evanglista split top honors. In a tought lightweight division Bill Cooper submitted three opponents to take the title.

For those of us who love Gi competition the Rickson Gracie Budo Challenge may be the most important news to come along in a long time.

WEC Quick Report

The Palace in Lemore, CA was once again sold out for what turned out to not only be one of the biggest WEC cards in sometime, but one of the better MMA events in North America period.

The main events of the evening was a super-heavyweight match between Jimmy "the Titan" Ambriz and Ricco "Suave" Rodriguez and a four man Light-heavyweight tournament featuring talented up and comers Scott Smith, Tim McKenzie, Justin Levens and Jorge "Van Damme" Oliviera. The night also featured four more title bouts.

For the third WGG tournament in a row, the absolute finals came down to Bill "the Grill" Cooper versus Jeff "The Snowman" Monson.

The top competitiors from the Pacific Northwest showed their stuff on the mat today as about 250 competitors competed in both gi and no gi divisions at the North American Western Regional tournament.

A large group of white and blue belts began the day to compete. In the purple belt division Bill Cooper submitted both of his opponents. Chris Woolfard won his brown belt match.

www.onthemat.com/gumby

Suffice it to say myself and Grappler`s Quest promoter Brian Cimins, who was also graciously playing referee that day, were stunned at the level of competitors we saw that day.

Lots of good action on the mat in Nashville.

Under 190 Division $500 Pro Division

Chris Moriarity defeats Shawn Hammond

Over 190 $500 Pro Division

Sam Gaskin over "Brazilian" Mike Rathmeyer

Plenty more later!!!

Saulo and Xande Riberio close out the division. Matches went as follows:

Saulo over Jason Miller

Rafael "Barbosa" Formiga over ???? (Ken Kronenberg no showed)

David Avellan over Rafael Lovato Jr. in a 59 minute match!!!

Beto Arruda over Joe Scarola

Jamal Patterson over Chris Moriarity (by advantage)

Xande Riberio over Eliot Marshall

Rick Macauley over Jorge Santiago

MArcos Avellan over Phil Cardella

Round 2

Saulo Riberio over Barbosa
David Avellan over Beto arruda
Xande Riberio over JAmal Patterson in what has been described as one for the ages.
Rick Macauley over Marcos Avellan