Polaris 25: Absolute Grand Prix bracket and preview
Check out the full bracket and preview of the Absolute Grand Prix at Polaris 25 on September 30.
UK-based grappling promotion Polaris will soon return to action with a talent-laden eight-man absolute tournament with $30,000 on the line.
Featuring two current ADCC world champions, the Absolute Grand Prix at Polaris 25 on September 30 is arguably the most important grappling tournament ever held on UK soil.
On Wednesday, the promotion released the full bracket.
Polaris 25 Absolute Grand Prix line-up
Quarterfinals:
- Owen Livesey vs. Fabricio Andrey
- Giancarlo Bodoni vs. Marcin Maciulewicz
- Roberto Jimenez vs. Izaak Michell
- Jason Rau vs. Kaynan Duarte
Sitting on the opposite sides of the bracket, early favorites are reigning 88kg ADCC champion Giancarlo Bodoni and 99kg ADCC champion Kaynan Duarte.
Despite a decision loss to Pedro Marinho at Who’s Number One (WNO) earlier this year, Bodoni has looked impeccable since his incredible run at the 2022 ADCC World Championships. His well-rounded game makes him a threat against any competitor in the world, and he’ll come into this tournament loaded with confidence after recently winning a similar eight-man tournament at Blue Collar Fight Club.
Duarte, meanwhile, will likely be the field’s largest competitor and is, on paper, its most accomplished. The Atos representative is a two-time ADCC champion and a master of tactics. In his most recent outing, he suffered a submission loss to Bodoni’s New Wave teammate Nicholas Meregali.
Duarte will be put to the test early against dangerous leg locker Jason Rau. The veteran black belt will undoubtedly look to attack Duarte’s legs early and often – an area that has previously been a weakness for the heavyweight.
Fans won’t want to miss the quarterfinal matchup between Roberto Jimenez and Izaak Michell, both dark horses in the bracket.
An expert back-taker who has packed on serious size and muscle in the past few months, Jimenez typically performs exceptionally well in these types of tournaments, having previously won the Polaris Middleweight Grand Prix. The Ecuadorian impressed at the Blue Collar Fight Club where he submitted his first two opponents before dropping a narrow decision to Bodoni in the final.
For his part, Michell might be comparatively short on high-level accomplishments, but he’s done plenty to prove he belongs among the best grapplers in the world. Like Jimenez, he possesses elite back-taking skills – something that was on full display in his May victory over Jacob Couch.
Rounding out the bracket is takedown specialist Owen Livesey, top featherweight competitor Fabricio Andrey, and Polaris Contenders winner Marcin Maciulewicz.
The event will also feature a superfight between former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and former UFC athlete Mike Grundy.
How to watch: Polaris 25 takes place on Saturday, September 30, and will air live on UFC Fight Pass (subscription required) beginning at 2 PM ET.
