On Saturday November 10, the Kasai 4 Invitational took place in the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. This 8-man tournament features some of the top featherweight competitors on the jiu-jitsu scene today, featuring three super fights as well as an undercard ripe with up and coming talent. Jon Calestine pulled out due to injury, therefore Frank Rosenthal took his place in the main tournament and Marvin Castelle steps in to the super fight role.
Group A
Bruno Frazzato – Atos BJJ
Paulo Miyao – Unity Jiu-Jitsu
Geo Martinez -10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu
Frank Rosenthal – Renzo Gracie Academy
Group B
Ethen Crelinsten -Tristar Jiu-Jitsu
Gianni Grippo – Marcelo Garcia
Kim Terra – Caio Terra Association
Augusto ‘Tanquinho’ Mendes – Soul Fighters BJJ
Minutes before the main card was to begin, it was announced that Gordon Ryan would be out due to a medical issue of which he talks at length about on his Instagram page.
Group A Match Breakdowns
Bruno Frazzato (Atos)
Vs.
Geo Martinez (10th Planet)
The two have faced off twice before with Frazzato being the victor in both instances. Early guard pull by Martinez, looking to open up Frazzato’s legs to enter a reverse de la Riva guard, a position Frazzato appears akin to neutralizing. Geo inverts through the legs, Frazzato tries and pushes off any back take or leg lock attempt. Frazzato looks for a leg drag combo, falling back into the half guard of Geo. Geo looks to come up on the guillotine on a knee slice attempt, Frazzato neutralizes with his posture, engages and Geo is able to swim under. Geo threatens with a crafty heel hook attempt, securing the reversal and scoring two points. Frazzato quickly reverses with a Shaolin sweep variation to even out the match. Frazzato reengages, Geo times another leg lock entry and locks up a tight toehold, the match coming to an end as the judges award Geo a point for the near submission attempt. Frazzato is noticeably grimacing as he appears in pain from the leg lock attempts.
Geo takes the match on points by a score of 3-2.
Paulo Miyao (Unity)
Vs.
Frank Rosenthal (Renzo Gracie Academy)
Miyao sits quickly to guard, engaging with a versatile de la Riva and reverse de la riva combo. Rosenthal looks to attack the legs and sits to an attempted 4-11 entanglement, Miyao neutralizes and is able to reverse the position off of the submission attempt, scoring two points. Miyao shucks past Rosenthal’s guard, being no stranger to the de la Riva game, scoring three points. After securing the points, Miyao allows the recovery and reengages, committing another pass and scoring another 3. Rosenthal uses a frame to get back to the feet. Miyao reconnects and pulls another open guard, Rosenthal sitting to leg lock off a hook allowing Miyao to reverse and score another two. The two stand back up. Miyao pulls guard once again, appearing unfazed by the prospect of Rosenthal’s leg lock game. The two receive a stalling warning as it appears that Rosenthal has few answers for the flexible guard of Miyao. Rosenthal is given a point due to a lack of combativeness warning targeted towards Miyao. Time expires as Miyao takes the match over the 2-time Onnit Invitational champion by points 10-1.
Group B
Gianni Grippo (Marcelo Garcia Academy)
vs.
Ethan Crelinstan (Tristar Jiu-Jitsu)
A double guard pull right away as Grippo relentlessly attacks the berimbolo. After Crelinstan neutralizes, the two are stood back up. Grippo reengages on the guard pull and reverse berimbolo game. Crelinstan appears to be having a difficult time neutralizing the reverse de la Riva game of Grippo, Grippo wraps the leg and sweeps to the top, scoring two. Grippo locks in a 50-50 guard, conceding a sweep and two points, biding his time and committing another sweep to go up 4-2, landing in Crelinstan’s half guard, Grippo looking to pressure pass. Crelinstan comes close to landing a 4-11 entanglement, Grippo steps around nicely to triangle his legs and prevent the heel hook. Crelinstan chooses to stand back up to his feet, Grippo immediately engaging on a guard pull and reverse berimbolo attempt. Grippo threatens with the toe hold and back take, causing a reaction by Crelinstan to give up the sweep landing another two points for Grippo. Grippo engages with heavy knee pressure and a blistering cross face, landing a near pass as time expires. Grippo takes the match by points 6-2.
Augusto ‘Tanquinho’ Mendes (Soul Fighters BJJ)
vs.
Kim Terra (Caio Terra Association)
The two start with aggressive collar ties, Mendes dropping for an explosive double leg landing in the closed guard of Terra, netting two points. Terra works to his 50-50 guard, Mendes looking to push off the knee and work toward neutralizing the inside heel hook. Terra threatens with the heel hook to no avail as Mendes works to a half-guard, the two battling for the far side underhook. Mendes nearly passes off a deep half guard sweep attempt, forcing Terra to turtle up and Mendes reengaging the Z-guard. Mendes falls into a leg entanglement but circles around smoothly. Terra attacks the heel hook again, Mendes beautifully neutralizing with his footwork, appearing very balanced in his passing. Terra tries to clinch and bring it back to the feet, the two are restarted in the center. Mendes shoots another double leg, getting his head wrapped seemingly harmlessly as the clock expires.
Augusto Mendes takes the match by points 2-0.
Second Round
Group A
***At the beginning of the second round, it was announced that Bruno Frazzato is out with a knee injury. Frank Rosenthal receives a bye in the round and an automatic two points.
Paulo Miyao
vs.
Geo Martinez
Miyao pulls an early guard, looks to engage with a de la Riva hook and berimbolo. Geo falls in an attempt to slap on a toehold or an Estima lock, Miyao secures one hook and nearly takes the back. Geo scrambles out and reengages the guard of Miyao, sitting and wrapping both legs. Miyao is able to come up to reverse the position and secure points. On another berimbolo attempt, Geo kicks out and reengages the guard of Miyao. Geo sits to another leg entanglement, Miyao chasing him up to the feet but Geo able to spin away. Geo reengages, Miyao spins to a baby bolo position, sweeping to the top and securing two points, being close to a leg drag position. Geo looks to spin underneath with an ashi garami, Miyao shoving it down landing in Geo’s half-guard. Geo wraps the neck, pulling Miyao into his closed guard. Geo pulls him into rubber guard and clears the neck of Miyao, landing in the ‘chill dog’ position as time expires, narrowly bailing Miyao out of a risky predicament.
Miyao takes the match on points 2-0. Miyao automatically advances to the next round given that he will receive two points due to Frazzato’s forfeiture.
Group B
Ethen Crelinstan
vs.
Augusto ‘Tanquinho’ Mendes
The two go roughly a minute with little action, Mendes engaging on a clinch that nearly pushes the two out of bounds that nets him two for the takedown. Crelinsten looks to swim under and push through with his knee shield, Mendes managing the distance well. Mendes nearly passes as he achieves the far side underhook, Crelinsten’s hooks are able to reacquire the distance. Mendes attempts the same style of pass, Crelinsten’s inversions allowing him to retain guard. Crelinstan nearly pulls off a sit-up sweep however is shoved back down by Mendes. They continue to battle as Crelinstan looks to find the entries off his Z-guard, Mendes’ stellar pressure and footwork appear to have no cracks as time expires.
Tanquinho takes the match by points 2-0.
Gianni Grippo
vs.
Kim Terra
Grippo pulls a quick guard and berimbolo’s his way to the top as Terra looks to lock up a 50-50 leg entanglement. Grippo holds Terra’s head and escapes the entanglement, Terra snatches a single-leg allowing Grippo to lock up a kimura trap. Terra spins away on the armbar attempt landing in the closed guard of Grippo, not achieving points since he landed on top off a submission attempt. Grippo opens his guard and swims to 50-50, looking to take the back. Grippo holds the leg as he comes on top for another sweep. Terra looks to take the back off of the 50-50 himself, Grippo well aware of his intentions and landing one hook of the back take as Terra stands up to try to shuck him off. Grippo holds an over/under seatbelt grip and one hook on Terra as he rides him like a backpack. Terra puts himself into a horse stance in an attempt to shuck Grippo off, Grippo breaks him down and lands the second hook, going up 4 more points. Grippo locks in the body triangle and comes in close proximity to an armbar, Terra spinning out as time expires.
Grippo takes the match 8-0.
Superfight #1
Marvin Castelle (10th Planet)
vs.
Carlos Rosado (Gracie Barra)
Castelle attempts an Imanari roll out the gate, standing back up. He pulls butterfly guard and works his de la Riva game, Rosado appearing highly intent on not letting Castelle swim under him. Rosado attempts a flyover pass, landing in Castelle’s closed guard, Castelle opening immediately to go to a de la Riva game, looking to standup and secure a reversal. The two begin back on the feet. Castelle pulls off a spectacular Imanari roll, Rosado clearing the knee line but Castelle reversing the position and landing two points. Castelle looks to secure a leg entanglement allowing Rosado to sweep back, landing in Castelle’s rubber guard. Castelle holds the posture down switching between controls, looking to clear a hand to the mat. Rosado making no major attempt to escape as Castelle clears the hand landing in the ‘New York Crack Head’ position, per the 10th Planet system. Rosado attempts a slam as Castelle looks to lock up a dead orchard armbar, time expires sending the two to sudden death overtime. Rosado shoots for a quick double leg and secures the takedown, taking the match by points.
Group A
Frank Rosenthal
vs.
Geo Martinez
Rosenthal pulls guard right away, Geo attempts a rolling kimura but lands back on his feet. The two are warned for stalling thirty seconds in, Rosenthal looks to swim his butterfly hooks in, Geo keeps heavy pressure in attempting an over-under pass. The two continue to circle each other as Rosenthal continues searching for an opening underneath Geo. Geo works passed the knee shield, Rosenthal attempts a sweep to no avail. Geo continues putting heavy pressure, working to smash Rosenthal’s hips to one side as Rosenthal looking to work a high guard. Geo continues working the pressure pass, the two receive a double stall warning with roughly a minute left in the action. Geo is given a stalling penalty, putting Rosenthal up by one point. Rosenthal swims to an omoplata, Geo rolling around and nearly passing on his escape. Time expires as Rosenthal takes the match 1-0.
Paulo Miyao wins Group A and will compete in the finals as Frank Rosenthal will take his place in the third place match.
Group B
Ethen Crelinsten
vs.
Kim Terra
Crelinsten pulls guard and looks to swim under with a de la Riva back take, neutralized by Terra as Crelinsten re-enters his butterfly game. Crelinsten swims to a 4-11 entanglement, locking up a heel hook on Terra. Terra spins and neutralizes the pressure, appearing unfazed by the tight lockup. Crelinsten switches to a toehold, garnering no visible worry from Terra as he continues to spin out eventually landing back in Crelinsten’s open guard. Crelinsten is given 2 points by the referees for his submission efforts. Crelinsten continues working for the back, Terra’s footwork keeping him away from danger. Terra takes advantage of Crelinsten’s knee shield by locking up a toehold, causing Crelinsten to spin out and landing a point for Terra. Crelinsten lands in closed guard, looking for a pendulum sweep followed by a pop triangle, Terra works to half guard, Crelinston locking in another ashi that is neutralized by the footwork of Terra. Terra’s defenses are sharp as he limp arms out of an omoplata attempt. Crelinsten wins by a narrow margin of 2-1.
Gianni Grippo
vs.
Augusto ‘Tanquinho’ Mendes
The two start with a cautious approach, garnering the ref to give a stall warning thirty seconds in. Grippo engages with a clinch and pulls closed guard. Grippo opens his guard and underhooks the leg, Mendes maintaining steady pressure. Grippo is able to swim to a 50-50 entanglement. Mendes steps out and avoids a berimbolo attempt. Mendes looks to attack the neck, landing back into the closed guard of Grippo. Grippo looks to overhook an arm and shoot a quick armbar or triangle, Mendes doing a stellar job keeping his frames and posture intact. Grippo opens again looking to swim under, as time runs short Mendes looks to lock up an Estima lock followed by a knee bar in an attempt to land a point, to no avail.
The match is a draw.
Grippo advances to the finals out of bracket B due to a greater point differential than Mendes. Mendes will battle for third place.
Superfight #2
Matheus Lutes (Marcelo Garcia Academy)
vs.
Jeremiah Vance (10th Planet)
*submission only ruleset with judges decision in case of no submission.
Vance pulls guard off a collar tie. He works hard to retain his guard as Lutes puts on heavy pressure and exhibits explosive lateral movement. Lutes lands in side control, looking to work a kimura lock from north-south. Vance recovers to his feet. Lutes shoots a double leg and lands a takedown, Vance scrambles back up. Lutes lands in side control off a guard pull attempting a kimura armbar, Vance performs a well-timed hitch hiker escape. Lutes again is working from side control after a pass from Vance’s guard pull. Lutes sits to another tight kimura armbar, this one appears more dangerous as Lutes cranks it however Vance’s dexterity allows him to spin out once more. Vance appears keen to Lutes’ armbar attempts, Lutes transitioning between knee on belly, mount, and side mount. After attempting to throw the hooks in on Vance’s turtle, Lute’s shoots a north-south choke as he turns Vance back into side control. The lockup appears tight as Lutes lowers his body and works Vance’s arms out of the equation, forcing him to tap. Lutes wins the match by north-south choke.
Third Place Match
Augusto ‘Tanquinho’ Mendes
vs.
Frank Rosenthal
Mendes shoots in for a double-leg, retreating off of Rosenthal’s neck wrap. The two receive a stalling penalty and told to push the action. Mendes shoots a low clinch, Rosenthal locks up an overhook and pulls guard, Mendes receiving 2 points as a result. Mendes applies heavy pressure and holds off Rosenthal’s attempt to swim both legs under. Mendes is forced to retreat slightly as Rosenthal maintains his frames. Mendes continues with aggressive pressure, shooting the crossface and switching his hips to prevent Rosenthal from getting double inside position with his legs. Rosenthal stays steadfast with his overhook, Mendes however exhibits too much pressure and passes to mount, scoring him points for the pass as well as the mount position. Time expires, Mendes takes home third place with a 9-0 win over Rosenthal.
Superfight #3
Vagner Rocha (Vagner Rocha Martial Arts)
vs.
Renato Canuto (CheckMat)
*submission only ruleset
The two come out of the gate with heavy collar ties bordering on slaps. Canuto scoops up a single-leg, traversing the mat as Rocha attempts to neutralize. Rocha locks up a kimura off of the single-leg attempt, looking to roll Canuto into a submission. Canuto nearly reverses the kimura into his own armbar, Rocha spins out and disengages. Canuto scoops another single leg, transitioning to a double leg and landing a takedown on Rocha. Rocha locks up a leg in a 50-50 variation, maintaining the grip but stripped off by Canuto. Canuto continues with a knee drive, Rocha achieves the underhook and works towards a dogfight sweep. Canuto is unable to wrap the neck effectively and has to disengage to avoid giving up the sweep. The two start back on the feet. Canuto attempts another single-leg, Rocha to strip the grip then pulls guard to an attempted heel hook, Canuto neutralizes and kicks away, Rocha standing back up. Canuto uses the scramble to land a near takedown, granting him another point as he pulls guard and looks to off-balance Rocha with an X-guard. Rocha keeps his weight forward and pulls the head of Canuto, preventing much of the guard’s power. Rocha reengages and continues his passing attempts, evading Canuto’s sweeps. Rocha locks up a head and arm triangle, landing in Canuto’s lockdown half-guard and unable to slice out. Canuto maintains a stubborn open guard and continues his attempts to swim under. Rocha locks up a stingy head and arm control, passing to mount, causing Canuto to bridge, landing Rocha on his back as time expires. Rocha did not appear to control the positions for enough time to land him points, giving Canuto the win by a score of 3-0.
Finals Match
Paulo Miyao
vs.
Gianni Grippo
Both athletes sit to guard, looking to impose a similar berimbolo game on each other. Miyao looks to lock up an Estima lock, Grippo rolls out of bounds and the two are stood back up. Right away there is another double guard pull, each competitor looking to obtain a favorable de la riva or reverse de la riva hook. Miyao attempts another Estima lock, the two are stood up again. Miyao pulls guard, Grippo works to pass and falls for a toehold off a scramble. The toehold appears tight and Grippo puts a serious crank on it, Miyao shakes his head to indicate he is unfazed. The toehold has the crowd gasping as Miyao doesn’t react, he works to spin out and the two are engaged in a mutual back take battle. Grippo is given a point for the submission attempt, Miyao scores two of his own as he takes top control. The two appear to be in a 50-50 back take battle with Grippo trying desperately to off-balance Miyao, Miayo holding fort and not giving up top position. Grippo pushes himself to the top, the two nearly land out of bounds as Grippo is given points for the reversal. They are reset in the middle, Grippo is able to maintain the top position to the end of the clock taking the match 3-2, making him the new Kasai featherweight champion.
