Vagner Rocha, Max Gimenis score upsets over New Wave members at Pit Submission Series
View results for Karate Combat’s Pit Submission Series. Vagner Rocha and Max Gimenis scored big upsets.
Karate Combat has now officially entered the world of submission grappling.
On Friday, January 26, at Karate Kickback 1, the organization held its first three matches of Pit Submission Series, hosted by legendary BJJ competitors Paulo and Joao Miyao.
Each match consisted of one, 12-minute round of submission-only action, with all submissions and slams allowed.
Watch those matches below
Pit Submission Series results
- Helena Crevar def. Caitlin Murdock via submission (Dead Orchard armbar)
- Vagner Rocha def. Luke Griffith via decision
- Max Gimenis def. Dan Manasoiu via decision
In the first matchup, teenage phenom Helena Crevar showcased her dynamic and dangerous guard game, first attacking from the open guard before moving closed guard where she secured a Dead Orchard armbar submission over Pedigo Submission Fighting’s Caitlin Murdock.
Next, veteran Vagner Rocha took on New Wave Jiu-Jitsu’s recent ADCC Trials winner Luke Griffith. Despite giving up significant age and size advantages to the South African, Rocha displayed excellent grit, endurance, and wrestling to score a decision win.
While Rocha found himself in a couple of difficult spots early, he turned up the pace as the match went on, scoring a big takedown and clean back-take in the final minutes to solidify the decision in his favor.
And in the third match, New Wave’s “Big” Dan Manasoiu squared off with veteran black belt Max Gimenes. Manasoiu came out aggressively but quickly lost steam, and Gimenis spent much of the contest passing guard and controlling from top position to claim the decision win.
When the match was over, Manasoiu limped off the mat, having seemingly suffered a knee injury early on.
