KASAI Pro 3 Undercard: Don't Sleep On It
KASAI Pro 3 Undercard: Don't Sleep On It
Palhares' bicep muscles aren't the only things you should be paying attention to at KASAI Pro 3.
KASAI Pro 3 is just one week out, and while nearly everyone is intrigued by the eight-man grand prix and three superfights (perhaps more specifically, Rousimar Palhares' absolutely ludicrous physical appearance), the undercard at the show is simply PACKED with talent.
We'll see ADCC and KASAI veterans, rising teenage stars, and much more. Make the jump see to see the five undercard matches that we're most excited about.
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Junny Ocasio (Unity Jiu-Jitsu) Vs Ethan Crelinsten (Tristar Gym/Renzo Gracie Academy)
A true showcase of the next generation, the bout between Junny Ocasio and Ethan Crelinsten will see two of jiu-jitsu's brightest prospects going head to head. Junny’s done an excellent job at making himself a household name in the last 12 months: his debut on an international stage came in the form of a strong showing at the inaugural KASAI pro event while he was still just a purple belt, and he's gone on to compete at EBI and Fight 2 Win since.
Junny Oscasio vs Gianni Grippo - KASAI Pro
Ethan Crelinsten has been on our radar since his savage appearance at ADCC trials and subsequent excellent performance at ADCC 2017. The RGA / Tri-Star representative has access to some of the very best training partners and coaches in the world, and we’re very excited to see how far he’s come since we last saw him in competition.
Silvio Duran (Vitor Shaolin’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) Vs Edu Gonçalves (A-Force Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu)
Silvio Duran is a standout athelte training under Vitor ‘Shaolin’ Ribeiro and Rodrigo Cavaca. A top prospect during his time in the colored ranks, Duran won Brazilian Nationals as a blue and purple belt, as well as taking home top honors at No-Gi Worlds and Brazilian No-gi Championships. Though he's won numerous open events, Duran's only major title win as black belt to date is at American No-Gi Nationals and he will certainly hoping to remind everyone that he is one of the best atheltes in the game.
Silvio Duran vs Matthew Terrance – 2017 No-Gi Worlds
Edu Goncalves is a black belt under Francisco 'Toco' – famed head of Nova Geracao and professor of Roberto ‘Cyborg’ Abreu – and has been living in England since 2008. Described as one of the toughest featherweights in England (BJJ Heros), Goncalves has racked up numerous medals across the pond, including a gold medal at the London Open gi and no gi, The World Pro UK trials – twice – and is a European Open silver medalist.
With nearly tens years age difference separating the two athletes, we curious to see how the generational battle plays out.
Frank Rosenthal (Renzo Gracie Academy) Vs Ashley Williams (Chris Rees Academy)
Hailing from Wales, Ashley Williams has been dubbed the 'UK's Youngest Black Belt' and is a student under Chris Rees, a Braulio Estima back belt. The rising star has one British national multiple times, is a European Open Champion, and recently had a very strong showing at EBI 17.
He'll need all the positive momentum he can get, as he'll be facing the home-town hero and RGA student Frank Rosenthal. Rosenthal is another sub-only athelte that has simply cleaned up on the local scene and has been waiting for his big break. A strong showing at KASAI could usher in a new era for the burgeoning athlete.
Nick Ronan (Renzo Gracie Academy/Serra Bjj Academy) Vs Alex Miller (Hamptons Jiu Jitsu)
Yet another upcoming athelte from the blue dungeon at Renzo Gracie’s (seriously, the talent in that room is just ridiculous), Nick Ronan has quietly been making a name for himself by winning a plethora of east coast sub-only and no-gi events. Ronan just recently had an eighteen-minute war with PJ Barch, an athelte competing on the eight-man Grand Prix at KASAI Pro 3, which should be a clear indicator that his skill level is right there at the top of the tree.
Though Alex Miller is relatively new to jiu-jitsu having spent less than 4 years training in the art, he does have 11 years of experience in wrestling. Cobine that with the fact that Eddie Cummings, Dillon Danis, and other top athletes regularly drop in to train at Hamptons BJJ, and you've got yourself the perfect recipe for a spoiler.
Nick Ronan vs PJ Barch - RISE 4
Grace Gundrum (10Th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Bethlehem) Vs Izabella Frezzo (Notorious Mixed Martial Arts)
Grace Gundrum has been making waves in the sub-only scene since she was a pre-teen, her first showcase occurring way back in 2015 at EBI when she was just 12 years old. She’s since gone on to earn 4 big wins at EBI and has had great performances at Fight 2 Win, Submission Underground, and more.
While Izabella Frezzo doesn't yet command the same level of notoriety as Gundrum, we do know the green belt is a 5x Pan Champion, multiple time NAGA Champion and is coached by standout out east coast grappler Fiona Watson. Can she pull off the upset and become the next big thing? we'll find out next weekend!