Third Coast Grappling Kumite 4: Preview
The fireworks have been put away but Third Coast Grappling Kumite 4 is scheduled for a firecracker of an event after the promotion took the Fourth of July weekend off. They’re back to doing the Texas Two-Step with Fight2Win. Thus far, F2W has taken Fridays while 3CG takes Saturdays. 3CG: Kumite IV will be a wild and action-packed Saturday with a stacked no gi absolute card, superfights, and a totally different — let’s say rambunctious — event literally the day after another F2W card with two amazing co-main events.
Roberto Jimenez vs Nick Rodriguez
Young phenom Roberto Jimenez has been one of the most active competitors on the scene especially as of late. He returns after securing the $10,000 bag from the recent 3CG Kumite III. He will kick off this no gi absolute card versus rising star Nick Rodriguez. No stranger to the high-level grappling spotlight himself, Rodriguez’s most notable accomplishment is placing 2nd in the ultra-heavyweight division of ADCC 2019, beating superstars Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu (ADCC 2013 open weight champion), Orlando Sanchez (ADCC 2015 ultra-heavyweight champion), and Mahamed Aly on his way to the podium — where he received his purple belt. In sharp contrast, the 20 year-old Jimenez has been training since he was four years old. This will be an explosive match with two dynamic grapplers possessing different backgrounds, styles, and personalities.
Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu vs Arnaldo Maidana
The aforementioned grappling legend Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu faces Arnaldo Maidana next. Cyborg being the storied grappler he is certainly needs no introduction, but Maidana is no slouch either, being an American Nationals champion and 2017 No Gi Worlds gold medalist. This will be the latter’s first foray in a 3CG event but each has been on many Fight 2 Win cards. Interestingly, this will be the first time they find each other on opposite sides of a referee. Although odds likely favor the bigger and more experienced Cyborg, the younger and hungrier Maidana should not be counted out.
Fellipe Andrew vs Lucas “Hulk” Barbosa
Fellipe Andrew returns to yet another 3CG Kumite card, going up against the formidable Lucas “Hulk” Barbosa. They have a 1-1 record against each other, both at PanAms in 2018 and 2019. This is not Fellipe’s first time on the 3CG mats as he was part of another 8-man Kumite a few weeks ago, where he managed to make his way up to the finals. On the other hand, this will be Hulk’s virgin foray on the 3CG mats and rule set. This is another clash between two different styles and personalities that should make for a must-watch.
Gabriel “Todd” Almeida vs Guilherme Augusto
After his match with the legendary Xande Ribeiro at F2W 145, Gabriel Almeida comes back to the Lone Star State, replacing the injured Johnny Tama to hit the mats opposite Guilherme Augusto. Augusto hasn’t competed since 2019, but he won the inaugural Houston Fall Open last year and he’s also a two-time Brazilian Nationals champion. Almeida, a Rising Stars BJJ (Checkmat’s scholarship program) alum, has much to prove, he was racking up gold medals at lower belts and looked to break out at black belt last year, but the pandemic certainly put a damper on his quest. Augusto is formidable in his own right, holding wins against notable grapplers such as Lucas Valente, Pedro Rocha, and Adam Wardzinski. Expect to see the two duke it out to gain more renown and respect.
Main Event: Gordon Ryan vs Brian Marvin (special charity match)
For this event, there will be a charity “exhibition match” between Gordon Ryan and Brian Marvin benefiting the We Defy Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides “combat veterans coping with military connected disabilities a long term means to overcome their challenges through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and fitness training.” This is the match he teased a few weeks ago.
Notable Superfights
Mona Bailey vs Natalia Santoro
Maggie Grindatti vs Vedha Toscano
Kids’ Grapple Royale
This being Third Coast Grappling, there is bound to be at least one innovative event or aspect. They were the first to have a tag team match with two men and two women. What do you do when you have to outdo yourself every now and then? For this event, aside from the $10,000 Kumite, the superfights, and the charity main event, there will also be a kids’ “Grapple Royale.” Evoking professional wrestling’s battle royale (think WWE’s Royal Rumble), the 3CG president described it as, “9 kids. 1 winner. 2 start in the middle. Every minute new music hits and a new kid runs in. Submission only. Last kid standing wins.” Whether you have seen kids go at it on IBJJF tournaments mats or playground mulch, you know there will be scrambles aplenty.
The full live event and subsequent replay can be watched on FloGrappling. Click here to subscribe.