Polaris 23 results: Elisabeth Clay wins grand prix in impressive fashion
Check out the Polaris 23 results. Elisabeth Clay defeated two ADCC champions to take home grand prix gold.
Ares BJJ representative Elisabeth Clay put on a career-defining performance over the weekend, defeating the two reigning ADCC champions on her way to winning the talent-rich women’s grand prix at Polaris 23.
The event took place on Saturday, March 11, and featured a number of the world’s top competitors going head-to-head in an eight-woman bracket. All matches in the grand prix were 10-minute affairs, with each scoring technique worth one point.
Elisabeth Clay shines at Polaris 23
In the opening round, Clay dominated Polaris Contender Series winner Joanna Dineva for nearly nine full minutes before securing a reverse triangle submission.
Next, in the tournament semifinals, Clay squared off with reigning -60kg ADCC champion Ffion Davies – considered by many to be the top pound-for-pound female grappler in the world. Clay’s dangerous guard game was on full display, as she continually countered Davies’ attempts at knee-cut passing with precise false reap entries to the legs.
A little over two minutes into the match, Clay entered into a deep leg entanglement, eventually working her way into a toehold, securing the tap and her spot in the grand prix final in just under three minutes.
And in the final, Clay took on rival and 60+kg ADCC champion Amy Campo. The pair are plenty familiar with each other, having competed against each other multiple times as colored and black belts, with Clay earning the most recent victory at the 2022 IBJJF No-Gi Worlds.
Clay attacked from her guard for most of the match, nearly scoring several wrestle-up sweeps, but Campo was able to scramble back to her feet or top position each time. The pivotal moment came in the final few minutes when Clay used a leg entanglement to take top position, earning her the single point needed to secure the victory.
After taking home double gold at the 2022 IBJJF No-Gi Worlds, and now with victories over both ADCC champions, the 22-year-old submission hunter has now established herself as arguably the top pound-for-pound female no-gi grappler in the sport.
Owen Livesey earns fun decision over Chris Weidman
In superfight action, local fan favorite Owen Livesey took home a hard-fought decision win over former UFC middleweight champion and ADCC veteran Chris Weidman.
As expected, the two grapplers spent most of the match battling for takedowns on the feet. Despite an early footsweep that put Livesey on the mat briefly, it was the British athlete that scored the most significant points, utilizing his top-tier judo to hit several throws on the American wrestler.
In the final minute, Livesey sealed the decision with a clean takedown, landing in Weidman’s side control and maintaining top position as the time expired.
After the match, when asked who he’d like to face next, Livesey said he was interested in a showdown with former Olympic wrestler and longtime MMA veteran Yoel Romero.
Polaris 23 results
Grand prix final:
- Elisabeth Clay def. Amy Campo via points (1-0)
Superfight:
- Owen Livesey def. Chris Weidman via decision
Grand prix semifinals:
- Elisabeth Clay def. Ffion Davies via submission (toehold)
- Amy Campo def. Brianna Ste-Marie via submission (rear-naked choke)
Grand prix quarterfinals:
- Ffion Davies def. Giovanna Jara via points (4-1)
- Elisabeth Clay def. Joanna Dineva via submission (reverse triangle choke)
- Amy Campo def. Julia Maele via submission (rear-naked choke)
- Brianna Ste-Marie def. Maggie Grindatti via submission (armbar)
