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Polaris 18 Results and Video Highlights: Ashley Williams Upsets Paulo Miyao

Ben Coate

Polaris 18 took place on Saturday, November 27, live from Wales. In the main event, Wales’ own Ashley Williams, a three-division Polaris no-gi champion, picked up a split decision win in the gi over multiple-time black belt world champion Paulo Miyao. Lower on the card, Jed Hue earned a decision over AJ Agazarm, and Igor Tanabe submitted Tommy Langaker.

The main event was a tactical battle that saw Miyao constantly hunting Williams’ back in a high-paced encounter. Williams was able to successfully defend throughout the match, and although Miyao appeared close to securing the back at several points, he was never able to. For his troubles, Williams threatened with leg locks and his own counter attacks. It was those leg lock attempts that likely earned Williams the nod from two of the three mat-side judges. This was Williams’ first-ever gi match on the Polaris stage.

In the co-main event, Hue immediately sat to guard where he would attack for essentially the entire match, consistently looking for leg entanglements and even securing a heel hook that appeared to injure Agazarm. Hue earned a clear decision win, but after the match, Agazarm loudly complained about Hue’s tactics.

Lower still on the card, Igor Tanabe (AKA the “Fat Ninja”) impressed with a submission win over one of Europe’s best competitors, Tommy Langaker. Tanabe set the pace early, forcing Langaker on the defensive for much of the match. Eventually, Tanabe secured a lapel grip from the back and finished a modified bow and arrow choke for the upset win.

Full Polaris 18 results:

Main card

  • Ashley Williams def. Paulo Miyao via split decision
  • Jed Hue def. AJ Agazarm via unanimous decision
  • Igor Tanabe def. Tommy Langaker via submission (modified bow and arrow choke)
  • Stevie Ray def. Craig Ewers via submission (modified twister)

  • Leon Larman def. Bryn Jenkins via unanimous decision
  • Lloyd Cooper def. Tom Barry via split decision

Preliminary card

  • Josh Williams def. Adam Adshead via submission (armbar)
  • Aled Rees def. Ash Amos via submission (lapel choke)

  • Tom Cellamare def. Oli Cole via submission (triangle armbar)
  • Owen Livesey def. Max Bickerton via unanimous decision

  • Ashley Bendle def. Kate Bacik via unanimous decision
  • Jamie Dicks def. Finn Carey via unanimous decision
  • William Southern def. Rhys Davis via submission (triangle choke)

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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