Grapplefest returned to Fusion Nightclub, Liverpool, on December 3rd for a showcase of top European grappling talent, joined on the mats by several American athletes. ADCC breakout star Eoghan O’Flanagan defeated rampant brown belt Jacob Couch of Pedigo Submission Fighting to defend the u90kgs Grapplefest Title, while Rosa Walsh and Julia Maele also earned championship titles on the card.

Hot off a fourth-place finish in the 88kg division at ADCC, New School BJJ’s Eoghan O’Flanagan earned a decision victory over brown belt No-Gi Pans and no-gi world champion Jacob Couch. O’Flanagan pulled guard early and steered clear of Couch’s attacks, utilizing his open guard and half guard to keep Couch at bay. Despite their aggressive pace, neither competitor was quite able to crack the defensive code of his opponent. Off the strength of his guard play and the stronger submission attempts, O’Flanagan retained his title to remain the Grapplefest u90kgs Champion.

In the co-main event, PSF representative Rosa Walsh defeated Gabi Schuck of ZR Team for the u70kgs belt. Landing a bodylock slam takedown just seconds into the fight, Walsh came out guns blazing before finding herself in a leg entanglement with Shuck for nearly four minutes, before shifting to half guard. There, Walsh isolated Schuck’s as she worked for side control.  Once landed in side control, Walsh secured the armbar finish and the title.

Fighting for the u65kgs title, ADCC veteran Julia Maele of Oxy Gym fought Fightzone’s Nadine Tavarez, a brown belt double medalist at No-Gi Euros. Early on, Maele fought to pressure through Tavarez’ guard. After a battle from half guard, Tavarez looked to wrestle up into a double leg, where Maele found an opening. Grabbing Tavarez’ leg, Maele isolated the knee to secure a clean kneebar finish the Grapplefest u65kgs crown.

Other noteworthy performances included those of Bradley Hill (Royal JJ) and ADCC Veteran Sam McNally (Essential JJ). Hill defeated David Garmo of Assembly Jiu-Jitsu in the most entertaining bout of the night, coming out on top by way of unanimous decision. Both athletes utilized wrestling and leg locks throughout, but Hill’s magnificent flying flower sweep and his deep leg entries were enough to score a victory over Garmo. McNally faced Kevin Corkhill of Precision CA. A very narrow bout, McNally’s top pressure subdued Corkhill’s attempts to find a dominant position. With little time remaining, McNally ramped up the pressure, taking Corkhill’s back, where he secured an armbar in the final minute of the match.  

Full Results:

Main Card

• u90kgs title Eoghan O’ Flanagan (New School BJJ) def Jacob Couch (PSF) via decision
• u70kgs title Rosa Walsh (PSF) def. Gabi Schuck (ZR Team) via Armbar
• u90kgs Bradley Hill (Royal JJ) def. David Garmo (Assembly JJ) via unanimous decision
• u65kgs title Julia Maele (Oxy Gym) def. Nadine Tavares (Fightzone) via Kneebar
• u80kgs Chris Wojcik (Serafin BJJ) def. Bartek Lukaszewicz (Piranha Gdynia) via unanimous decision
• u70kgs Sam McNally (Essential JJ) def. Kev Corkhill (Precison CA) via Armbar
• u70kgs Sean Stewart (Lycans MA) def. Ciaran Brohan (T-45) via Kimura
• u100kgs Paul Lukowski (Notts MMA) def. Chris Coltrane (SBG) via Rear Naked Choke
• Open-Weight Mark MacQueen (MNJJ) def. Paul Webb (Next Gen) via North-South Choke
• u85kgs Shane Curtis (Notts MMA) def. Ville Heikkonen (Sigma JJ) via Shoulder Lock
• u77kgs Will Kaye (Lakes BJJ) def. Petri Moilanen (Sigma JJ) via unanimous decision
• u65kgs Tommy Yip (ZR Team) def. Sam Teague (Checkmat) via Inside Heel Hook

Prelims

• u80kgs Rafał Farjaszewski (Academia Gorila) def. Brandon Wilson (Assembly JJ) via unanimous decision
• u75kgs Nia Blackman (Fightzone) def. Livia Rhodes (Gracie Swindon) via Inside Heel Hook
• u80kgs Jordan Desborough (SBG) def. Alex Moura (Notts MMA) via Armbar
• u90kgs George McManus (GB) def. Jamie Tungate (Craig Ewers) via unanimous decision
•  u100kgs Mark Hibbard (RR BJJ) def. William Timoney (Rilion Gracie) via unanimous decision
• u70kgs Kieran O’Brien (Kaizen) def. Tom Burroughs (HAMMA) via Inside Heel Hook
• u80kgs Neil McGwynne (ECJJA) def. Araujo Cutabiala (MNJJ) via Inside Heel Hook
• u100kgs Graham Mealand (Next Gen) def. Reiss Jones (Immortal MMA) via Arm Triangle Choke
• u80kgs Jack Armstrong (SBG) def. Luke Johnson (Next Gen) via unanimous decision
• u65kgs Laila Ohlhoff (Fenriz gym) def. Jaimie Middleton (Jax MMA) via Inside Heel Hook
• u80kgs Alex Vernon (Peak JJ) def. Marc Clarke (War Wolf BJJ) via Inside Heel Hook
• u90kgs Matt Fitz-James (Mark Phung BJJ) def. Jack Dolan (SBG) via injury default
• u70kgs Sam Barker (SmoothFlo) def. Mark Wynne (Trident BJJ) via unanimous decision
• u90kgs Josh Taylor (Mark Phung BJJ) def. Marco Bryden (Rio Grappling Club) via split 
• decision
• u60kgs Amy Derwanz (AVT) def. Sonya Retezan (Kasai BJJ) via unanimous decision
• u85kgs Alfie Binyon (Scott Ramsay BJJ)) def. Jo Foy (Elite JJ) via unanimous decision
• u62kgs Lucy Wynne (RGA) def. Mya Collins (Grow JJ) via split decision
• u77kgs Andrej Tasev (Grow JJ) def. Eddie Kaye (Lakes BJJ) via Armbar
• u70kgs Chris Jelf (Team Torres) def. Max Ashton (Stealth) via Inside Heel Hook