Dustin Akbari doesn't just reach for the stars; he fights as hard as he can to get to them. This grappler doesn't believe in setting the bar low just so he can get an easy win, and at Fight to Win Pro 38, he'll be challenging himself yet again when he faces multiple-time Pan American champion Gianni Grippo in the co-main event.

The match, which will be no-gi and take place at 155 lbs, won't be Akbari's first for the promotion. He first went up against the infamous Garry Tonon at F2W Pro 8 and put on a performance that would put many more decorated athletes to shame. Then at F2W 16, he defeated Bill "The Grill" Cooper in the main event before returning to the stage at F2W 23, where he won Submission of the Night for his kimura that finished Caleb Khan.


​Akbari locks in the kimura. Photo: Mike Calimbas

Make no mistake: his appetite for victory under those lights isn't going to be satisfied any time soon.

Every match means a lot on the F2W stage, but the bigger the name of my opponent, the more rewarding the victory. And as of now, Bill "The Grill" has been the biggest name I've defeated, but it's only the beginning.

As a matter of fact, Akbari doesn't see his greatest challenge being a specific opponent, but rather his dream of finding financial success through jiu-jitsu. He praises F2W on their dedication to putting their competitors first and making them feel like "real pro athletes", saying that "frankly, the most 'prestigious' BJJ tournaments don't treat their athletes well --- heck, you even have to pay to compete even when you're a world champion."


He has his fingers crossed that professional promotions like F2W will continue to find success so that athletes can get not only the recognition, but also the money they deserve. "For the past ten years, BJJ competition hasn't been lucrative whatsoever, and at least we are going in the right direction now."

Still, Akbari knows that to make a living doing what he loves, he has to set the bar high --- not that he'd ever settle for doing anything less. "My motivation comes from the desire to be considered the best in the world," he says, crediting the many "world-class" training partners and academies in California who have welcomed him with open arms for his upward climb. "Regardless of the outcome of this match, I want to be the biggest name in the sport and I will continue on that mission."



Akbari describes Grippo as a "graceful" grappler, and he knows a win against him would be extremely significant. Still, while he has a lot of respect for his opponent, he can't envision a scenario in which he walks off that stage as anything but the victor.

The only challenge I feel Gianni can potentially throw my way is him being able to slow down the match to his ideal pace. But I plan on being mentally prepared for such a situation and make things ugly for him.

He's expecting Grippo to work his de la Riva guard and try to take his back, but he's done his homework; he doesn't believe Grippo will be able to work his game as long as he pushes the pace and piles on the pressure.

With Fight To Win Pro 38 happening tonight, No-Gi Worlds fast approaching, and more professional opportunities popping up every week, Dustin Akbari is going to have every chance he needs to prove to us what he already knows: he can do anything he sets his mind to. 


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