B-Team Bulls Win QUINTET.4 ReBOOT
B-Team Bulls Win QUINTET.4 ReBOOT
The Austin-based B-Team Bulls won the team-based submission only event QUINTET.4 ReBOOT
The B-Team Bulls won the team competition at QUINTET.4 ReBOOT, defeating Team Polaris and Team 10th Planet in submission-only grappling competition. 10th Planet advanced to the finals by defeating Team Sakuraba.
Under QUINTET, teams of five face off in submission-only matches. If you win by submission, you stay and face the next opponent. If you tap or neither of you scores a submission, you are eliminated, until one team remains. This event has finally returned after a multi-year hiatus with this installation that featured some of the best grapplers on Earth.
The B-Team, in Chicago Bulls-inspired rash guards, started off with a razor-close match against former event champions Team Polaris. Through five matches, neither team secured a submission victory - meaning the QUINTET judges had to render a decision as to who would win the matchup and advance to the finals. The five-on-five dual was highlighted by several exciting matchups of established talent against European standouts including Jed Hue taking on Jacob Rodriguez, Nicky Ryan facing Santeri Lilius, and Nick Rodriguez against Owen Livesey.
In the other semifinal, Team 10th Planet proved again why they are regarded as one of the best QUINTET squads on Earth, advancing after beating Team Sakuraba. 10th Planet's PJ Barch scored the deciding submission of the matchup, with an early rear naked choke that eventually proved the difference maker. Event organizer and MMA legend Kazushi Sakuraba fought PJ to a draw in an entertaining match.
In the finals, B-Team captain Craig Jones secured victory for his team with his submission victories over Geo and Richie Martinez, giving them the deciding edge and first place overall. After early draws knocked out Barch and Amir Allam, Kyle Boehm fought Craig to a spirited draw but was unable to make up the submission deficit.
10th Planet Def. Team Sakuraba
PJ Barch def. Tomoshiga Sera by submission (rear naked choke)
PJ Barch vs Kazushi Sakuraba - Draw
Haisam Rida vs Richie Martinez - Draw
Geo Martinez vs Daisuke Nakamura - Draw
Kyle Boehm vs Harry Grech - Draw
- 10th Planet advanced to the finals with one team member (Amir Allam) still remaining
B-Team Bulls Def. Team Polaris
Nick Rodriguez vs Owen Livesey - Draw
Jacob Rodriguez vs Jed Hue - Draw
Jozef Chen vs Tarik Hopstock - Draw
Nicky Ryan vs Santeri Lilius - Draw
Craig Jones vs Gregor Gracie - Draw
- The QUINTET judges award B-Team the victory and they advanced to the finals
B-Team Bulls Def. 10th Planet
Jacob Rodriguez vs Amir Allam - Draw
Nick Rodriguez vs PJ Barch - Draw
Craig Jones def. Richie Martinez - Toe Hold
Craig Jones def. Geo Martinez - Armbar
Craig Jones vs Kyle Boehm - Draw
- B-Team wins with two remaining team members (Nicky Ryan, Jozef Chen)