ADCC West Coast Trials highlights: Upsets at -99 kg, Boehm wins heavyweight

The ADCC West Coast Trial was one of the biggest and best tournaments in grappling history. Because there was just too much action to cover at once, we’ll be spreading out our coverage of the event in several posts. Be sure to check back for results and recaps from every division at the ADCC West Coast Trials. View the recap of the 66 kg division here, the 77 kg division here, and the 88 kg division here.

The two largest men’s divisions saw a mix of both established veterans and relative newcomers finding success. In the -99 kg division, top seeds Elder Cruz and Devhonte Johnson both lost in the semifinals, paving the way for two-time ADCC veteran Paul Ardilla to capture his second career Trials championship. And in the 99+ kg division, veteran 10th Planet competitor Kyle Boehm earned gold, but it wasn’t without a tough test against New Wave’s fresh talent Daniel Manasoiu in the final.

-99 kg

Checkmat’s Elder Cruz and Unity Jiu-Jitsu’s Devhonte Johnson seemed to be on a collision course throughout the tournament, but in the semifinals, Paul Ardilla upset Cruz by submission, and Mario Gomez upset Johnson by points. While Cruz and Johnson are still two of the absolute best in the world at this weight class, they both likely view their failure to qualify for the ADCC World Championships as a setback.

In the final, Ardilla showed off his dangerous leg lock game, securing a quick inside heel hook. The win earned Ardilla his third trip to the ADCC World Championships. All but one of Ardilla’s six wins on the weekend came by submission, as he quietly put together one of the best runs of the tournament.

99+

Kyle Boehm certainly performed up to the standard of the top seed, but it wasn’t without some difficult opponents along the way. In the round of 16, Boehm defeated Andre Galvao black belt and two-time Trials winner Mike Perez. Boehm would then defeat number-eight seed Lucas Albrecht and number-four seed Raymond Grandy to earn his spot in the finals.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the bracket, Gordon Ryan training partner Daniel Manasoiu was establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with. A massive competitor even by heavyweight standards, Manasoiu came into the tournament as the number-14 seed. In the round of 16, he defeated number-three seed Jesseray Childrey by a score of 6-0.

Manasoiu submitted his quarterfinals opponent in under a minute, and in the semifinals, he submitted number-two seed Damon Ramos, also in under one minute. Ramos had placed second at the ADCC East Coast Trials, and Mansoiu’s win here was a serious upset.

In the finals, though, Manasoiu’s run would come to an end against Boehm. After a scoreless first seven minutes of the regulation period, Manasoiu pulled guard to earn a negative point and give the win to Boehm.

Ben Coate

Ben has been involved with grappling, whether through wrestling or Brazilian jiu-jitsu, essentially his entire life. After wrestling throughout his childhood, Ben found Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a young adult and quickly fell in love. He has been training for over ten years and currently holds the rank of brown belt, and remains involved in both the MMA and BJJ scene. Ben has been writing about combat sports since 2017. He has interviewed and profiled some of MMA's biggest stars, including multiple UFC champions.

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