Until recently, Jon “Thor” Blank was working a full time job as an electrician. He had to use some of his last vacation days in 2019 to compete in ADCC, where he made a name for himself with an opening round submission over Rustam Chsiev. He went on to beat Murilo Santana, before losing in the semifinals, taking fourth in the 88 kg division.

Anyone who has trained with Grace Gundrum will tell you. She absorbs technical knowledge. She listens to feedback from her coaches, JM Holland and Zach Maslany, and incorporates new moves and ideas seamlessly into her game.

In her debut at black belt, 18-year-old Grace "The Silent Assassin" Gundrum made quick work of her opponent, Pati Fontes. At Fight to Win 155 last weekend, Grace pulled Fontes into her butterfly guard, worked into closed guard and then climbed her legs up to a Dead Orchard: a popular position in the 10th Planet system which frames both of the defender’s arms inside a closed triangle.

10th Planet’s Grace Gundrum had a lot to prove in the main event at Fight to Win 155. She’s worn the title of “next big thing” since she was 12 years old. After earning her black belt in July, she finally had an opportunity to live up to that hype.

Fight To Win resumed operations in Philadelphia tonight and had three black belt titles on the line! The marquee matches of the evening lived up their lofty expectations, each one ending in spectacular fashion.