This weekend featured a number of major grappling events around the world. One of those was the Sapateiro Invitational held in Tampa, Florida. Fourteen competitors were brought together to compete for a $10,000 prize. At the end of the day, Gordon Ryan would take home the victory and start 2017 off with a bang.
Ryan, along with the rest of the team from the Danaher Death Squad, are known for their varied attack of foot locks. Instead of sticking to that game Ryan used this event to focus on upper body attacks; including the reverse triangle multiple times throughout the show.
This tournament was also the breakout show for Matthew Tesla, another member of the DDS who was competing in his first major tournament. Tesla submitted everyone on his side of the bracket, including an important win over Richie “Boogeyman” Martinez.
This event was supposed to feature a number of big names in the grappling and MMA industry, but Hector Lombard and Jeff Monson were removed from the show. That didn’t stop the remaining competitors from putting on a great showcase of action. Kevin Gallagher and Antonio Carlos Junior filled out the bracket as replacements.
Sapateiro Invitational 6 overcame technological issues and competitors dropping out of the event, but was still a great showcase of the grappling arts. Ryan rebounded after closing out 2016 in defeat, while Tesla introduced himself to fans of competitive grappling.
Sapateiro Invitational 6 Full Results
Opening Round
Antonio Carlos Jr. defeated Marcel Goncalves
Gordon Ryan defeated Bryan Brown
Jimmy Friedrich defeated Juan Caballero
Jesseray Childrey defeated John Blank
Richie Martinez defeated Chase Davis
Matthew Tesla advanced via withdrawl
Dan Martinez defeated Enrico Cocco
Quarter Finals
Ryan defeated Carlos Jr. with a reverse triangle
Childrey defeated Friedrich with an estima lock
R. Martinez defeated Gallagher by fastest submission in EBI OT
Tesla defeated D. Martinez with an inside heel hook
Semi Final
Ryan defeated Childrey with a footlock
Tesla defeated Martinez with an outside heel hook
Final
Ryan defeated Tesla with a reverse triangle