Submission Underground may have technically been the first major grappling promotion to host an event in the age of COVID-19, but you didn’t really see the “Jiu-jitsu is back” comments until Fight 2 Win hosted their two comeback events last weekend. F2W 139 and F2W 140, held on back-to-back nights in Dallas, were modified versions of the cards we’ve come to know and love over the years, and thankfully, F2W CEO Seth Daniels says that they went off without a hitch.
“Everything went really well,” said Daniels in a conversation with the Jiu-Jitsu Times. “We’ll be taking baby steps moving forward. No one has tested positive for the virus since the event or anything.”
While the lack of a crowd was clear even to those watching at home, the staff was still able to create the fun, heart-pounding environment that has given the promotion its reputation for excitement and action. “The room was small, and we still had staff cheering and making noise. We kept it less awkward than the UFC,” said Daniels.
The promotion is already back at it again this weekend with a main event that will put Rafael Lovato Jr. against Arnaldo Maidana, both of whom are F2W veterans with impressive records outside the promotion. The co-main event is also set to be one that will bring the fireworks, with Edwin Najmi taking on MMA legend Benson Henderson in what’s sure to be a highly technical and action-packed gi match at 175lbs.
There are also a number of undercard matches to get excited about, including one between local rising star William Tackett and Troy Russell, which will be for the brown belt no-gi middleweight title. Daniels also mentioned Samuel Nagai vs. Mario Fonseca and a brown belt master middleweight gi title match between Bobby Alexander and Tyler Murrah as being can’t-miss undercard matches.
Fight 2 Win 141 will take place Saturday, May 23 in Dallas, Texas and can be streamed live on FloGrappling.
