Day one of the largest ADCC Trials event ever took place on Saturday, November 6 in Atlantic City, NJ. The first day of the ADCC East Coast Trials saw most of the top-seeded competitors winning their way to day two.
At 66 kg, 16-year old Art of Jiu-Jitsu product Cole Abate impressed with a pair of submission wins; he’ll start day two against leg lock specialist and EBI champion Jon Calestine. And on the other side of the bracket, top-seeded Gianni Grippo looked dominant in a points victory and a pair of submission wins, including a rear-naked choke win over UFC veteran Anthony Birchak.
The tournament’s largest division is 77 kg, and it didn’t disappoint. Kade Ruotolo performed to expectations, securing two d’arce chokes on his way to day two. Also, 10th Planet’s Alan Sanchez upset 2019 ADCC Trials winner John Combs to punch his ticket to the round of 16.
In the 88 kg division, top-seeded brown belts Elder Cruz and Jacob Couch seem to be on a collision course for a rematch of their Who’s Number One bout that saw Cruz winning a decision. And at 99 kg, ADCC veteran and long-reigning Submission Underground champion Mason Fowler looked untouchable, as did 2021 no-gi world champion Devhonte Johnson. Finally, the heavyweight division saw wrestling standout Pat Downey continue his development in submission grappling, earning his way to day two.
In the women’s divisions, Brianna Ste-Marie looked every part of a number one seed, while recent Medusa tournament champion Fatima Kline upset Brianna Robertson; Kline will start day two against teenage grappling phenom Trinity Pun. And at women’s heavyweight, top-seeded Kendall Reusing scored a hard earned victory over current UFC flyweight Miranda Maverick in the first round, but won her second round match by submission to punch her ticket to day two.
