The Eddie Bravo Invitational continues to bring grappling fans interesting tournaments and EBI 13 was no different. For the first time in years, the lightweight title was on the line as Garry Tonon stepped on the mat to defend his belt. Not only was he successful in his quest, but he earned some semblance of revenge against rival, Vagner Rocha.
Tonon and Rocha met in the final of the tournament. It would be Tonon who secured victory via an inside heel hook; finishing his fourth opponent on the evening. A month ago it was Rocha who defeated Tonon at ADCC 2017 to take the bronze medal in the 77 kilogram division. It seemed like Tonon used that defeat as motivation Sunday night as he tore through the competition, submitting everyone in the regulation portion of his matches.
One of the more compelling moments came when Tonon faced off against Lucas Valente in the semifinals. Valente found himself in a very bad position as Tonon continued to attack his legs. On multiple occasions, Tonon grotesquely twisted Valente’s legs who maintained a calm and collected look on his face. That was until there was an audible crack and Valente tapped. As he stood his leg buckled showing that there was clear damage due to Tonon’s attack.
Tonon wasn’t the only champion crowned Sunday evening. Richie Martinez became the first ever welterweight Combat Jiu Jitsu champion. “Boogeyman” showed his experience as he defeated both Thiago Moises and Bobby Emmons to take the title. Neither one of the tournament matches were overly dominated by ground slaps, but there was a mix of attacks that opened up the Jiu Jitsu game on the mats.
EBI 13 was held in the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco. The event is available for replay on UFC Fight Pass.
EBI 13: Full Results
First Round
Garry Tonon defeated Chance Broad via heel hook
Ross Keeping submitted John Battle via heel hook
Lucas Valente submitted Andreas Achniotis Perales via knee bar
Keith Krikorian defeated James Gonzalez via OT- escape time
Vagner Rocha defeated Issa Able via RNC in OT
PJ Barch defeated Jason Soares in OT – escape time
Mike Padilla defeated Mickey Main via Heel Hook
Nathan Orchard defeated Brandon Walensky via face crank in OT
Second Round
Tonon defeated Keeping via arm bar
Valente wins via face crush over Krikorian
Rocha defeated Barch in OT – escape time
Orchard submitted Padilla via face crank
Third Round
Tonon defeated Valente via heel hook
Rocha defeated Orchard in OT – escape time
Final Round
Tonon defeated Rocha via heel hook
Combat Jiu Jitsu Results
Richie Martinez wins via D’arce choke Bobby Emmons
Thiago Moises defeated Max Rohskopf via arm bar
CJJ Finals
Martinez defeated Moises via an armbar in OT