A rundown of the biggest headlines and news from the world of competitive grappling.

Stipe Miocic made his debut at Fight 2 Win last weekend in a purple belt super fight against Aaron Howard, but it didn’t go to plan.

Miocic, who was an accomplished collegiate wrestler, took a gi match at Fight 2 Win to raise money for the National Fallen Fire Fighters Association. While Miocic had his moments in the match, he was ultimately unsuccessful in his debut outing.

According to grapplinginsider.com, Miocic passed Howard’s guard twice and was positionally dominant, but Howard was more aggressive with submission attempts. Howard is a seasoned competitor in the gi and his experience likely played into the outcome of the match.

Miocic confessed that he didn’t really know the rules to the match and that he ran out of energy early:

At least it’s not all doom and gloom for Stipe.

---

GRAPPLING STORIES

ADCC 2nd European Trials went down in Poland last weekend and like always, the trials provided some surprises. The tournament’s standout was Thomas Halpin who took home gold in the 70kg division Halpin was an outsider, but looked phenomenal throughout. Check out the full results here.

Eddie Bravo Awarded His First UK Black Belt last week at the 10th Planet camp in Amsterdam. Bravo gave the black belt to Mick Broster, the head coach of 10th Planet Birmingham, who has been training for 23 years. Bravo’s decision to award a black belt to a UK moon head is a seminal moment in the spread of the 10th Planet system.

Carlson Gracie will be immortalized in his homeland of Brazil as it has been announced that there will be a statue of him erected beside his former gym. Carlson, who passed away in 2006, is one of the most important figures in the development of Gracie Jiu Jitsu and modern MMA.

---

VIDEO CONTENT

Back Escapes with Lachlan Giles

Patella Lock by Neil Melanson

Kama BJJ on the Pareto Principle