The Fourth of July is a perfect time to reflect on 2017 so far and look at the most successful American grapplers of the year. 

There have been many impressive athletes among the colored ranks, with athletes such as blue belts Conor DeAngelis and Roberto Jimenez (who is a dual nationality American-Ecuadorian). 

Purple belts Devhonte Johnson and Jessica Guedry had huge years and were both promoted to brown belt, and Thomas Keenan got promoted to black belt after a solid year that saw him win World Pro in Abu Dhabi.

An honorable mention must go to no-gi specialist Nicky Ryan, who just turned 16 and was promoted to purple belt after he leglocked his way through a number of tournaments and superfights. 

Moving on to the black belts, here are seven of the most successful American grapplers of 2017. 

7: Tanner Rice

Heavyweight black belt Tanner Rice of Soul Fighters / Amazonas Rice Brothers earned medals at two major tournaments this year and competed in invite-only events Five Grappling (where he submitted former world champion Tarsis Humphreys) and the Marianas Open.

Notable achievements in 2017 
• Silver at Europeans and Pans 
• 3rd Place FIVE Light Heavyweight Super League 

6: Jamil Hill

A Team Lloyd Irvin product and noted sneakerhead, Hill broke onto the black belt scene this year by taking out big names such as Gianni Grippo and going toe-to-toe with world champ Cobrinha.

Notable achievements in 2017 
• Bronze at IBJJF Pans and Worlds 
• Winner of superfight in Spyder, South Korea 

5: DJ Jackson  

Another member of the TLI squad, Jackson didn't compete as much as some of the other athletes on this list did this year, but when he did, he made people take notice. He also competed in a mix of gi and no-gi events. 

Notable achievements in 2017 
• Grappling Pro 77KG champion 
• Silver medal ADCC West Coast Trials 
• Fight To Win Pro 29 superfight winner vs. Vinicius Agudo 
• Miami Spring Open medium heavyweight champion 

4: Edwin Najmi

Gracie Barra's Najmi had a great 2017, winning the ACB Grand Prix with a bum knee after hurting it midway through his victory over Michael Langhi. Najmi also impressed in tournaments in Abu Dhabi, a format suited to his all-action style, but he showed he's versatile by winning a 10-minute submission-only Fight To Win superfight. 

Notable achievements in 2017 
• Winner ACB 75kg Grand Prix (defeated Daud Adaev, Michael Langhi, and Marcio Andre) 
• Silver medal at Abu Dhabi World Pro 
• 3rd Place Abu Dhabi Grand Slam
• Winner Fight To Win Pro 24 superfight vs. Nathan Mendelsohn 

Travel Documentary: Edwin Najmi & Gabriel Arges Go To Abu Dhabi

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3: Gianni Grippo

One of the busiest grapplers on this list, Grippo was one of only two Americans to win a gold medal at the Abu Dhabi World Pro. He medaled at the other major tournaments of the season and was active in taking superfights and even competed in local tournaments on the East Coast. 

Notable achievements in 2017 
• Abu Dhabi World Pro champion 
• Silver at IBJJF Europeans
• Bronze at IBJJF Worlds
• 3x Fight To Win superfight winner (defeated Samir Chantre, Queixinho and Dustin Akbari)
• IBJJF New York Spring International Open no-gi absolute champion 

2: Gordon Ryan

Notorious no-gi grappler Gordon Ryan continued his successful run by claiming his third EBI title in 2017, winning superfights on Fight To Win and Submission Underground and tearing through no-gi event Sapateiro. The only blemish on his record was a points loss to Leandro Lo in a superfight at ADCC West Coast Trials, a match which Ryan took on 10 minutes notice. 

Notable achievements in 2017 
• EBI 11 champion (all four matches won via submission) 
• 2x Fight To Win Pro champion (defeated Lucas 'Hulk' Barbosa and Eliot Kelly) 
• Submission Underground superfight winner 
• Sapateiro 6 winner (all four matches won via submission) 

1: Mikey Musumeci

Hands down the No. 1 American of 2017, Musumeci was the first U.S. black belt to win a World Championship in 10 years! This was in addition to wining gold at World Pro in Abu Dhabi and the European Championships in Lisbon. By far, Musumeci is the most successful American black belt so far in 2017, and with his eyes set on No-Gi Worlds, he could well further that list of conquests! 

Notable achievements in 2017 
• IBJJF World champion 
• Abu Dhabi World Pro champion 
• IBJJF European champion 

Mikey Musumeci ENTIRE Career Highlight