Gianni Grippo was a strong favorite to hit the podium at the 2018 IBJJF Pans, but he knew the race for gold would be tightly contested right down to the last minute. It was either going to be him or TILI’s Shane Jamil-Hill Taylor taking home the black belt featherweight title in Irvine, California. 

On Sunday, the Marcelo Garcia representative showed true heart and earned points needed in the dying seconds of the match to win his second Pan Am title.

The opening rounds weren’t any easier. On his road to the final, Grippo had to go through Ralph Gracie charger Jake Scovel, AJ Agazarm, and Queixinho — that’s a MONSTER list. Watch all of his matches below. 

Opening Round: Gianni Grippo def. Joe Hisataka Frederick

Quarterfinal: Gianni Grippo def. AJ Agazarm

Semifinal: Gianni Grippo def. Osvaldo Moizinho 

FINAL: Gianni Grippo def. Shane Jamil-Hill Taylor