Fight 2 Win is here to get us all out of the ADCC “happiness hangover”. It’s hard to follow up the greatest weekend in grappling, but Fight 2 Win aims to do it with an immediate rematch from the quarterfinals of ADCC’s men’s -66kg division

This Friday October 4 at F2W 127 in Dallas, ADCC 2019 World Champion Augusto “Tanquinho” Mendes (Soul Fighters) and no.10 ranked -66kg no-gi grappler, Matheus Gabriel (Checkmat) will meet in a 155lb no-gi F2W title match. But the rules are different now– ADCC it came down to a decision, this time it will be submission-only. 

In a clash of age, styles, and generations, these guys couldn’t be more different. 

Not only has Tanquinho now claimed the only title missing from his collection, but he has solidified his place as both the no. 1 ranked -66kg no-gi grappler, and made it to the no. 4 spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. He’s a veteran of the sport, a professional MMA fighter, with a mat IQ that gives him the edge. Athletic, strategic, technical, and composed: he is a complete fighter. 

There’s no doubt that his calculated, conservative, and classic style works. He had a tough road to gold last weekend facing 10th Planet star, Keith Krikorian, 2019 World and Pan champion Matheus Gabriel, Flograppling’s no. 1 seed Paulo Miyao, and current IBJJF No-Gi World Champion, Kennedy Maciel. As far as the rematch he says that it’s a new fight, “Each fight I have a different approach,” he says, “I know he’s going to come better than the ADCC, and I will need to be better too”. 

Why is Tanquinho even competing at Fight 2 Win less than a week after winning one of the biggest titles of his career? Because he gave his word he would be there– he promised promoter Seth Daniels he would compete and that's exactly what he's going to do vs the young Checkmat black belt. 

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In Matheus Gabriel we have a young, rising star just at the start of his career. He only has sixteen black belt career matches (with an impressive 12-4 record), but he’s already become both the World and Pan American champion in the gi, defeating some of the most prominent competitors on the way. In the finals of Worlds he defeated Marcio Andre, and in the opening round of Pans he took out Kennedy Maciel with a sickening armbar. His submission game is sharp, finishing half his victories, and he is well versed in the F2W rules as this will be his twelfth match with the promotion. 

Between berimbolos and finesse, Gabriel is the epitome of the new school, and with an agile and dynamic guard he can impose threatening attacks from nearly any position. He’s not missing a beat coming off ADCC and straight into training specifically for this format. He says, “The rules for ADCC work really well for Tanquinho’s style as an MMA fighter. But Fight 2 Win will be different. My strategy is to be attacking the submissions. I’m ready and really excited for Friday”.

Other notable matches include:

155-lbs co-main event between Richar Nogueira (Sharpen Iron Academy) and Alex Sodre (Nova Uniao)

The welterweight Masters Gi Title is on the line between Vitor Oliveira (GF Team) and Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa (Soul Fighters)

In a women’s 150 lbs no-gi match Chelsah Lyons (Marcelo Garcia) takes on Luanna Alzuguir (Fight Sports)

Igor Paiva (Soul Fighters) takes on Jonathan Hunter (CJJF) in a 180-lbs gi match

The brown belt no-gi middleweight title is on the line between Hunter Colvin (Brothers Jiu Jitsu) and Kody Steele (Checkmat) 

Watch Fight 2 Win 127 LIVE or On Demand on FloGrappling