Gianni Grippo is one of the winningest American jiu-jitsu athletes on the completion circuit.

But he's not alone, and not certainly not without competition.

The young TLI standout Shane Jamil-Hill Taylor has been looking to add his name that list all year, even beating Grippo a previous match at the Pan Ams. The two seemed destined to meet in the final of this event, and while it did happen - it wasn't easy for either athelte to make to the final.

Grippo took on the explosive Wallace Santos in the first round and executed his patented, game of forcing the 50/50 and securing a pass that has earned him victory time and time again. Round 2 saw Grippo battle Cascao in a match that went down to the wire- he won by split decision.

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Taylor fought to wars to earn his spot in the final: he took a split-decision victory over sinister in the opening round and then battled a beleaguered Yago Espindola in the semis, winning on sheer aggression.

The final boiled down to a calculated game of 50/50 attacks. Grippo was constantly hunting both the back and toe holds, but couldn't secure a position or submission. Taylor was seemingly on the defensive for most of the match, but certainly had his threatening moments as well.

Gianni's offensive approach was enough to satisfy the judges and win the Five Super League Lightweight Pro Invitational.