The IBJJF 2017 No-Gi Pans went down today in NYC, and what an event it was! Here are the main stories from the day.


Gianni Grippo lays on the pressure at No-Gi Pans. Photo: Chase Smith / FloGrappling

Gianni Grippo edges win over Shane Jamil-Hill Taylor to earn gold

The rivalry between Gianni Grippo and Jamil-Hill  only seems to be growing. The two have met at a number of major events and give each other hell every time they step on the mat. So far though, Grippo seems to have the edge: he pulled out another 'W' today at No-Gi Pans after an extremely close match. This makes the series 3-1 Grippo; we certainly look forward to the next entry in the never-ending series.

WATCH: Gianni Grippo vs Shane Jamil-Hill Taylor


​Amanda Monteiro looked unstoppable all day. Photo: Chase Smith / FloGrappling

Amanda Monteiro Runs Through Women's Black Belt Featherweight Division

We mentioned in our preview that the women's black belt featherweight division would be fire, and did they ever deliver. GF Team rep Amanda Monteiro blasted her way through the competition, besting the talented Heather Raftery, current IBJJF gi world champion Talita Alencar, and put up 10 points on two-time no-gi world champion Pati Fontes. A fantastic performance for the rising star.

WATCH: Amanda Monteiro vs Pati Fontes

Oliver Taza enters the leg drag position. Photo: Chase Smith / FloGrappling

ADCC Reps Carry The Fight Over To No-Gi Pans

Oliver Taza, Jackson Sousa, Talita Alencar and Michelle Nicolini wasted no time jumping back into competition after getting back from Finland and the epic event that was ADCC. Everyone managed to improve upon their results from last weekend except Talita Alencar, who struggled to find a way past Amanda Monteiro in her semifinal match her today.

Taza continues to impress with his creative leg attacks and positional transition. The Renzo Gracie rep nearly secured a win in the dying moments of the brown belt lightweight final against Paulo Gabriel, but the bell rang before he could secure the position and lost by advantage.

WATCH: Paulo Gabriel vs Oliver Taza

Checkmat standouts Michelle Nicolini and Jackson Sousa both cruised to gold in their respective divisions.  Jackson only needed to win one match against the very tough Eliot Kelly, who also competed in Finland last weekend. Nicolini seem unfazed by the aggressive TLI student Aarae Alexander.  Nicolini got the submission win over Jessica Cristina to take the lightweight gold medal.

​​​WATCH: Michelle Nicolini vs Jessica Cristina


Michelle Nicolini takes gold in the Adult Female Black belt lightweight division. Photo: Chase Smith​

​Jackson Sousa earns the 4x0 win to earn Double gold at the IBJJF 2017 Pan No-Gi Championship.

Jackson Sousa Shines In The Absolute

We can't help it. We love the absolute division, and Jackson Sousa put on an incredible performance this evening.  His foot sweeps and aggressive wrestling paved the way to victories over the dangerous Dustin Akbari and then the very game Diego Ramalho in the final, giving Sousa double gold on the day. Given his ADCC bronze medal was  earned just six days ago, we'd consider this a pretty good week for the Checkmat all-star. 

​​Watch Jackson Sousa vs Dustin Akbari

Legends Joining Forces to Combat Global Issues

Some of the most inserting performances came from the sidelines today. We spoke withJT Torres and Tom Deblass about their experience at ADCC, and both made the point point to emphasize their upcoming events, and seminars that are being arranged to combat Hurricanes Irma, the Mexico City earthquake, and more. It's an inspiring thing to see the jiu-jitsu community come other to affect change and we will be sharing details on those events as soon as we get them.

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