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Tycoon World Grappling Championships Write up = $500k


SteelPenn

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I would like to hire someone or a couple people to do detailed write ups for the remainder of this event.

 

Anyone?

 

 

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Is there no one who can make this happen for us?

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Lame. This game is dead in the water. Well, good luck everyone.

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I can and will pay for whatever can be done. the more the better. I love write ups and these events should be covered.

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Tycoon World Grappling Championship

145lbs Division 1 Finals


“Sumato Attack” Daichi Kishimoto

(23 years old, 170cm, 145lbs, TWGC Record 2-1)


The youngest competitor in this 145lbs final by far. Japan’s Daichi Kishimoto has done fantastically to get this far beating two vastly more seasoned grapplers in the Sydney qualifiers to do so. This being his second successive TWGC season, Kishimoto has seemingly prospered under new management and enjoys an extremely promising MMA career to go along with his grappling one.


Prediction: Opening Round. A superb run to the finals and a bright future ahead of him no doubt but this is as far as it goes for 23 year old BJJ Black Belt.


Dado Mata

(37 years old, 172cm, 145lbs, TWGC Record 9-10)


This tournament marks Dado Mata’s 11th in the TWGC but this will be only his second finals appearance during that time. The experienced 37 year old Japanese grappler has had some up and down performances during his grappling career with his best run being TWGC 19 where he made it all the way to the finals only to lose an extremely close fought decision. Mata has enjoyed a long and fruitful fighting career but with his advancing age, retirement from the top division of competition cannot be surely not too far ahead and the pressure to capture a TWGC title before he does will be with him


Prediction: Semi Final. Mata is a strong favourite to progress to the next round where he would run into either Santos or Putski and likely go no further.


Gustavo “The Russian” Santos

(35 years old, 175cm, 137lbs, TWGC Record 10-4)


Brazilian BJJ Black Belt “Gustavo “The Russian” Santos might have a confusing moniker but his grappling credentials are anything but. At 35, Santos is yet another highly experienced veteran of TWGC with a tournament history that dates back to 2014. Like Mata, this will be his second time in the grand finals and coming into this tournament with a year record of 6-1 in grappling, Santos might rightly be feeling confident that this is his year to take it all.


Prediction: Opening Round. Santos is no joke in grappling circles but the misfortune to be drawn against Ivan Putkski in the opening round will no doubt be a great disappointment to him. If Santos was able to pull off an upset here then he could well be in line for an appearance in the finals but overall gold is an unlikely prospect.


Ivan Putski

(37 years old, 175cm, 145lbs, TWGC Record 21-7)


Ivan Putski is a veteran of over 10 TWGC tournaments and a two-times TWGC champion. His grappling credentials are beyond impressive and with his elite wrestling skills and Red Belt level BJJ, Putski will no doubt have one of the biggest targets on his back going into these finals. Putski has pretty much dedicated most of his competitive career to grappling and though has experience in MMA, he hasn’t been seen in the cage in well over a year meaning that the Ukrainian is likely to have been concentrating solely on the gold medal here.


Prediction: Runner Up. Putski is a strong favourite to reach the finals but has not really shown any reason to believe he has surpassed Penn who has already a gold medal win over him previously.


The Steel Penn

(37 years old, 155cm, 143lbs, TWGC Record 10-5)


The current defending division 1 champion at 145lbs, The Steel Penn is looking like a very solid bet to retain his title after a superb qualifying campaign that included two extremely quick submission victories. Age has obviously not dulled his grappling instincts as the 37 year old Bahamian looks as sharp and dangerous as ever and has even kept busy with his MMA career posting a 3-1 record so far this year. Interestingly, Penn has decision win over his stable mate and tournament favourite Ivan Putski and both men could be set for a final showdown should they both be successful in their opening round bouts. A tantalising prospect no doubt but those in front of them first cannot and must not be overlooked


Prediction: Champion. The Steel Penn has looked fantastic yet again and it’s hard to see how anyone could take his crown at this time.


Rollo Gracie

(39 years old, 171cm, 154lbs, TWGC Record 7-2)


At 39 years of age, Rollo Gracie will be the oldest competitor in the Division 1 145lbs finals and truth be told has spent much of his career favouring the cage where he has amassed a very impressive 2-7-2 record over the years and includes multiply title reigns in various organisations. Though not nearly as extensive, his 7-2 grappling boasts a TWGC Division 3 title back in 2015 which is worth noting was his first foray into grappling. He hasn’t quite been able to replicate that success since moving up to Division 1 but none the less Gracie is a dangerous opponent who might well be looking to go out with a bang as he milks the final stages of his athletic prime.


Prediction: Opening Round. A terrible draw for the Brazilian who is not likely to be making many more appearances at this level.


Morrison Lee

(33 years old, 181cm, 158lbs, TWGC Record 2-0)


33 year old New York native Morrison Lee represents the United States hope of a TWGC Division 1 medal but to do so would mean accomplishing it off the back of his very first foray in the grappling world. Predominately a well rounded elite Mixed Martial Arts fighter, Lee is currently in his prime and his most recent bout was a failed attempt to capture the MMA Helsinki 155lbs belt. He has decided to harness that frustration into winning a championship gold and is currently on course after a dominating in the qualifying rounds.


Prediction: Second Round. Expect Lee to do well in his opening bout against Holzken but his reward would be a vastly more experienced grappler in the next.


Rodney Holzken

(34 years old, 179cm, 157lbs, TWGC Record 6-5)


Dutch journeyman Rodney Holzken had an impressive time during the qualifiers and managed to pick up two submission victories which will no doubt stand him in good stead going into the finals. With a 6-5 grappling record and a 18-17 MMA record, it is fair to say that Holzken has seen his share of ups which could well be down to the numerous changes in management he has gone through over the course of his career. This will be his third time in the finals of TWGC but so far he has never managed to make it further then this point.


Prediction: Opening Round. Holzken has little to lose and in truth could be an interesting outside bet but the feeling is that he is just to inconsistent to make it past this first round.

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Tycoon World Grappling Championship

185lbs Division 1 Finals


Oliver Hedman Karlsson

(31 years old, 178cm, 169lbs, TWGC Record 3-1)


Relatively inexperienced in grappling format, Sweden’s Oliver Hedman Karlsson has done well to make it to the 185lbs Division 1 finals and should be looking forward to seeing how well he can do from here. Karlsson previously competed at 170lbs back at TWGC 10 where he was unable to make it past the second round of the qualifiers so it is interesting that he has performed better having moved up a division. Predominantly a MMA fighter, Karlson really has nothing to lose here will really be able to go all out when he steps on the mat


Prediction: Semi-Final. Expect Karlsson to dominate in his opening round but with a possible showdown with either Andrey Lapis or Bob Backlund, Karlsson isn’t expected to go further than that


Nikki Sixx

(26 years old, 182cm, 203lbs, TWGC Record 7-2)


American Nikki Sixx looked sharp during his qualifying matches having managed to win both by submission. Only 26 years old age, Sixx still has a long career ahead of him and alongside his promising MMA career of which he currently stands 9-1, he looks to really show he belongs amongst the Division 1 elite and improve upon his Division 4 championship back at TWGC 13.


Prediction: Opening Round. Sixx is aggressive and has proven dangerous both from his back and top position but he will come unstuck dealing with the superior wrestling of Karlson and go no further than the opening round.


“Laps” Andrey Lapis

(41 years old, 178cm, 185lbs, TWGC Record 8-6)


Veteran Russian athlete Andrey Lapis looks to make his name in TWGC having transitioned from a long MMA career from which he holds a 25-21 record. Lapis has only been competing in grappling since mid 2017 and though was unsuccessful during his first attempt losing during the second round of TWGC 18, Lapis did find success in the Empire Grappling Org where he was briefly crowned 185lbs champion.


Prediction: Opening Round. Lapis faces an extremely tough opening round match up against Bob Backlund and in truth it could go either way. Both have a good record of finding submission finishes so we could be in for a real treat here.


Bob Backlund

(43 years old, 189cm, 189lbs, TWGC Record 11-8)


Truly in his twilight grappling years, Bob Backlund has been chasing TWGC glory for quite some time now though the championship gold has remains ever elusive for him. Based in Hilo, Backlund hails from Mauritius and will be making his eighth appearance in the TWGC. This tournament marks his third finals appearance and as yet his personal best remains the second round. A journeyman MMA fighter, Backlund has seemingly retired from the cage and has been focusing all of his efforts towards this one and what could very well end up being his swansong.


Prediction: Final. Backlund has been busy these last couple of years focusing on capturing TWGC gold and at 43 years of age his motivation to win will be strong. However, he faces a terribly tough draw in the opening round and if he can get past that and his semi-final match, then a likely showdown with former champion Brick Tamland awaits and surely that is too much to ask from any one man?


Daniel Brown

(42 years old, 180cm, 165lbs, TWGC Record 8-6)


The second oldest in the 185lbs Division 1 finals, American wrestler Daniel Brown makes his second appearance at TWGC finals after some tough qualifying bouts. Brown, like others of his age in this tournament, has seemingly transitioned from a MMA career to focus solely on grappling. Brown has competed at a myriad of weight classes during his grappling career with the lowest being 145lbs. Currently weighing 165lbs it raises the question as to whether his smaller stature will be a hindrance or a help going into these finals


Prediction: Opening Round. Brown gritted his way into the finals but will struggle to contain the Red Belt level of his opening round opponent and will likely go no further.


James Penn

(36 years old, 181cm, 185lbs, TWGC Record 8-7)


Hong Kong’s James Penn makes his second appearance at TWGC finals though you’d have to go all the way back to 2014 to find his first where he crashed out during the second round of the Division 2 championship. Since moving up to Division 1, Penn has struggled to find any real form and has often been unable to make it past the first round of the qualifiers. 2018 has seen something of an improvement however and Penn, 36, could just now be coming into his prime and ready to follow in the footsteps of some of his more illustrious teammates


Prediction: Semi-Final. James Penn is a monster no doubt and has been presented with a favourable first round draw. On course for a semi-final showdown with Brick Tamland you just get the feeling that his isn’t quite his time


Brick Tamland

(41 years old, 180cm, 188lbs, TWGC Record 30-11)


Hailing from Pretoria, South Africa, Brick Tamland is without a doubt one of the most experienced grapplers in the tournament having made his first appearance all the way back at TWGC 1 in 2013. Currently 30-11 in grappling, Tamland boasts a record that includes two TWGC championship golds and will no doubt be looking to add to that with another one here. His last tournament win was TWGC 13 back in 2016 so it has been long while since Tamland was top dog and at 41 years of age, does Tamland still have it in him to turn back the clock once more?


Prediction: Winner. No one comes close to having the grappling experience of Tamland and though far from unbeatable, he has remained very consistent and over a much larger amount of matches. This year alone, Tamlund’s grappling record is 9-3 and it’s hard to see anyone competing against that level of grappling pedigree


Thatcher Halverson

(32 years old, 196cm, 200lbs, TWGC Record 2-1


Thatcher Halverson comes into this season of TWGC under new management which has so far proven fruitful after a successful qualifying campaign. Halverson has little experience in pure grappling with only 3 bouts currently to his name but outside of TWGC, Halverson has fought at a good level and has three times had the opportunity to fight for a title. Whether his inexperience will hold him back we will have to wait and see but with little to lose here it’s unlikely that Halverson will be feeling much pressure.


Prediction: Opening Round. Halverson has done well just to reach the finals and should be content with that. A draw against tournament favourite Brick Tamlund will be a learning experience for him however and at 32 years of age, there is still time for Halverson to become a solid fixture in TWGC.
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Tycoon World Grappling Championship

145lbs Division 1 Finals



Round 1 Results



“Sumato Attack” Daichi Kishimoto

(23 years old, 170cm, 145lbs, TWGC Record 2-1)

VS

Dado Mata

(37 years old, 172cm, 145lbs, TWGC Record 9-10)


Though showing great promise to reach the TGWC Division 1 finals, it was always going to be tough for Daichi Kishimoto against the far more experienced Dado Mata and the result was exactly that. Mata got the early takedown and from there gave Kishimoto absolutely no room to breath and completely shut down any and all attempts to improve his position. Mata took his time but a little over two minutes in had managed to take the back of the young grappler and soon enough was able to get his hooks and sink in the rear naked choke.


Result: Dado Mata by Submission (RNC) at 4:55


Gustavo “The Russian” Santos

(35 years old, 175cm, 137lbs, TWGC Record 10-4)

VS

Ivan Putski

(37 years old, 175cm, 145lbs, TWGC Record 21-7)


Gustavo Santos was expected to end up second best to the more seasoned Ivan Putski but tonight he put on an absolutely inspired performance to out point the elite grappler 18-8. Putski was the more aggressive and drew first blood with an early takedown into guard. Heaping the pressure onto Santos, Putski was relentless in his pursuit for a submission victory but Santos remained calm and was able to secure a sweep and top position. Putksi fought back and regained top position with a sweep of his own only to end up straight back again down again. From here Santos began to edge ahead with his consistent guard passes while Putski hunted for the finish. The match ended with a frantic scramble and both fighters securing another sweep to guard each but by then the damage was done and Santos had done enough to earn what many considered a big upset.


Result: Gustavo Santos by Points (18-8)


The Steel Penn

(37 years old, 155cm, 143lbs, TWGC Record 10-5)

VS

Rollo Gracie

(39 years old, 171cm, 154lbs, TWGC Record 7-2)


In the opposite side of the bracket there was a huge upset as defending 145lbs champion The Steel Penn crashed out of the tournament in the opening round when he came up against 39 year old Rollo Gracie. It was a frantic early start with both fighters picking up points for guard passes followed by Penn aggressively working for the submission finish and using up a lot of energy. This strategy seemed to be Penn’s undoing as Gracie began to assert his dominance during the second half and the fading Penn struggling with the 10lb weight difference of his opponent. Gracie made sure that his attempts to improve position were calculated and sure and in the final minute of the bout was able to take the defending champions back as if to make certain that there could be no doubt who the winner was


Result: Rollo Gracie by Points (20-9)


Morrison Lee

(33 years old, 181cm, 158lbs, TWGC Record 2-0)

VS

Rodney Holzken

(34 years old, 179cm, 157lbs, TWGC Record 6-5)


A great finish to the 145lbs first round as American submission wrestler Morrison Lee was edged out on points by Dutch Journeyman Rodney Holzken after an extremely tightly contested, back and forth match up. Lee secured an almost instant takedown in guard and both fighters went about jockeying for position and securing points for passing guard. Lee, arguably the busier of the two, found himself fighting on the back foot and defending submission attempts by Holzken. With perhaps the pressure getting the best of him, a lapse in concentration saw Lee fall behind 12 points to 6 and desperately trying to figure out how to claw his way back into the match. A lull in the action around the 10 minute mark before Lee was able to rally back. First passing the guard of Holzken, then full mount before taking the back and pulling ahead 14-12. Perhaps deflated with being unable to clinch the rear naked choke, Lee allowed Holzken to turn into his guard where he then hit a last minute sweep to tie the match 14-14 as the final bell sounded. That single mistake cost him the match however as under TGWC rules, submission attempts are considered the dominating factor and Holzken was awarded the extra point and winning by the very tightest of margins.


Result: Holzken by Points (15-14)



Second Round Match Ups


Dado Mata vs. Gustavo Santos


Dado Mata had an easy time in his opening bout and confidence will be high after pulling off the only finish of tonight's event. Gustavo Santos will provide much sterner competition however and Mata will have his hands full trying to contain him.


Prediction: On paper this is a very evenly contested bout but after his performance against Ivan Putski, it would be difficult to bet on Santos missing out on the final.


Rollo Gracie vs. Rodney Holkzen


Rollo Gracie has knocked the defending champion The Steel Penn out of the competition. Surely he will not be denied a place in the finals? Holzken is just so unassuming however and has a competent, solid submission based style. Could he pull off a similar result as he did tonight?


Prediction: Rollo Gracie by points. Cool and calculated under pressure, Gracie’s position before submission approach will shut down Holzken

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Tycoon World Grappling Championship

185lbs Division 1 Finals



Round 1 Results


Oliver Hedman Karlsson

(31 years old, 178cm, 169lbs, TWGC Record 3-1)

VS

Nikki Sixx

(26 years old, 182cm, 203lbs, TWGC Record 7-2)


As predicted, Hedman Karlsson’s sensational wrestling was the biggest contributing factor in his dominating 25-7 points victory over game but slightly outmatched Nikki Sixx. Karlsson took an early lead with a nice trip takedown and from there went about his business carving through Sixx’s defences ending up in full mount before the first minute of the match. It took Sixx a while to escape into half guard but Karlsson was relentless and soon after had his back and a 15-2 lead. It would have been easy for Sixx to give up at this point but pride kept him going and he was able to fight off the rear naked choke and turn into guard. Scoring three points for passing, it would be the last points from him in the match as Karlsson once again took control of proceedings with superior positioning and carefully avoiding the tenacious submission attempts of Sixx


Result: Oliver Hedman Karlsson by Points (25-7)


“Laps” Andrey Lapis

(41 years old, 178cm, 185lbs, TWGC Record 8-6)

VS

Bob Backlund

(43 years old, 189cm, 189lbs, TWGC Record 11-8)


An amazing showdown between two grizzled veteran athletes with 43 year old Bob Backlund coming out on top over Andrey Lapis and a crowd pleasing submission victory. Backlund drew first blood with the first take down and from there it was a back and forth chess match and both grapplers picking up alternating points. Both were hunting for submission but Lapis was particularly aggressive throughout and spent a good three minutes mid way threatening to sink in a arm triangle. Backlund weathered that storm and was able to hit a sweep ending in Lapis’ guard. Lapis once again searching for the submission as both fought for top control. Coming into the final stretch it was the older fighter Backlund who showed his cardiovascular strength and began to push Lapis hard. Lapis gave up his back and Backlund wasted no time at all sinking in a tight rear naked choke and securing his place in the semi-final.


Result: Bob Backlund by Submission (Rear Naked Choke)


Daniel Brown

(42 years old, 180cm, 165lbs, TWGC Record 8-6)

VS

James Penn

(36 years old, 181cm, 185lbs, TWGC Record 8-7)


Daniel Brown wasn’t expected to move beyond this opening round. After making a meal of things in his qualifiers compared to many of the other finalists and then being matched with elite grappler James Penn, many believed that he would be going home after tonight but Brown obviously didn’t get the memo. He was able to play the game perfectly here and managed to score the points that mattered and all in the face of Penn’s busy submission hunting approach. Penn was the first to score with a beautiful 4 point judo hip throw into guard. Penn then fought and achieved full mount and raced ahead to a 6 point lead. Penn aggressively threatened with submissions but Brown wasn’t fazed and went about his business of clawing his points back and it wasn’t long before he was able to move ahead himself. By minute 10, Brown was up 16-11 and as Penn chased the finish, the clock ran down Daniel Brown had secured a solid victory in a match that he was expected to lose.


Result: Daniel Brown by Points (16-11)


Brick Tamland

(41 years old, 180cm, 188lbs, TWGC Record 30-11)

VS

Thatcher Halverson

(32 years old, 196cm, 200lbs, TWGC Record 2-1


In perhaps the biggest upset of the evening, unfancied Thatcher Halverson shocked the grappling world as he dominated vastly more experienced TGWC legend Brick Tamlund. Tamlund, who many considered to be something of a sure thing in this 185lbs Division 1 Final, could only look on puzzled at the 22-4 on the scoreboard as the final bell sounded and wonder where exactly it went wrong? The bout began as both fighters took shots at landing the takedown. Thirty seconds in and Halverson scored the first of what would be many and planted Tamlund square on his back where he would remain for the majority of the next 15 minutes. Halverson showed great control from guard, shutting down the sweep attempts from Tamlund and racking up consistent points for guard passes. Five minutes in, Halverson was 14-0 up and the stunned audience wondered if Tamlund could even begin to get back into the match if he wanted to. Finally after some time, Tamlund hit a sweep to half guard and took his first 2 points of the match but was unable to do much with it and around a minute later was swept himself straight back onto his shoulders. Halverson kept on racking up the points and entering the final minutes of the round had Tamlund fighting hard to avoid a Kimura. A consolation 2 point sweep for Tamlund as the bell sounded and then the rout was over. Tamlund’s dream of a third title gone and underdog Thatcher Halverson ecstatic as he moves into the semi-final tomorrow.


Result: Thatcher Halverson by Points (22-4)


Second Round Match Ups


Oliver Hedman Karlsson vs. Bob Backlund


Hedman Karlsson has so far managed expectations to reach this point after winning comfortable in his opening bout. He will now face submission specialist Bob Backlund who at 43 years old is running out of time to achieve his dream of TGWC gold. Can he take one step closer to glory or will Karlsson send him on his way


Prediction: Backlund by submission. It won’t be easy as Karlsson is a solid opponent but Backlund will be confident and motivated, especially after a fantastic submission win here tonight


Daniel Brown vs. Thatcher Halverson


What a superb match up in the second semi-final. Daniel Brown showed us how good his positional awareness is tonight and that he will make each move count. He will face a real battle though as Thatcher Halverson demonstrated some serious control and wrestling skill in keep Brick Tamlund subdued on his back for fifteen minutes. Whether he could do the same again to Daniel Brown, you would have to say it’s possible after tonight performance but Brown too faced tough competition and was able to come out on top


Prediction: Daniel Brown. Slightly better wrestling pedigree and that will be important against control hungry Halverson

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Tycoon World Grappling Championship

145lbs Division 1 Finals


Round 2 Results


Dado Mata

(37 years old, 172cm, 145lbs, TWGC Record 10-10)

VS

Gustavo “The Russian” Santos

(35 years old, 175cm, 137lbs, TWGC Record 11-4)


Santos moves past Mata to reach final after taking over midway through!


It was predicted to be a tightly contested affair between two veteran grapplers and it was precisely that until midway through the contest when Brazilian Gustavo Santos stepped things up a gear and started to push ahead on points.


Mata actually started the scoring after some persistence with the takedown earned him 2 points and top position in Santos’ guard. Neither athlete was willing to give an inch with Santos content to frustrate Mata’s attempt to pass guard. Much of the first half of the bout was spent this way. Both fighters working hard but making little progress. Finally around minute seven, Mata found an opening and passed guard for another 3 points putting him 5 ahead in total. Instantly this seemed to awaken Santos and immediately he hit a lovely sweep to guard. Now it was Mata’s turn off of his back and he wasted no time in attempting to finish, working diligently for a triangle choke. It wasn’t enough to phase Santos however who now seemingly worked with much more purpose and began racking up the points against Mata. Firstly passing guard, then mount, Santos moved ahead 10-5. Mata never gave up though and was able to regain guard but it was only to Santos’ advantage as once again he carved through the his defence and gain full mount and this is how the bout ended. The bell sounding with a grinning Santos in dominant position and a solid points victory to move into the final


Result: Gustavo Santos by Points (18-5)


Rollo Gracie

(39 years old, 171cm, 154lbs, TWGC Record 8-2)

VS

Rodney Holzken

(34 years old, 179cm, 157lbs, TWGC Record 7-5)


Gracie reaches final with positional strategy against aggressive Holzken!


Though the scoreline wasn’t particularly flattering for Dutch journeyman fighter Rodney Holzken it didn’t tell the full story after a valiant effort against the ice cool Rollo Gracie. Many believed that Gracie’s position and points based approach would be the defining factor in this one and they weren’t wrong as Holzken tried his utmost to break down the defence of the Brazilian all the while the points stacked up against him.


Gracie put Holzken on his back to begin the points scoring and Holzken wasted no time in attempting to finish the match. Submission attempt after submission attempt and from all positions, Gracie never looked flustered as he took the opportunity to punish the aggressive approach by Holzken with pure positional dominance. The pace was frantic and the scrambles many but Gracie never really allowed Holzken any space to breath aside from a couple of nice sweeps to half guard by the Dutchman. By minute 9, Gracie was running away with proceedings and the scoreline read 21-2. Holzken, needing a miracle at this point, never slowed down and continued to push for the finish knowing full well that this was now his only shot at a place in the finals. With five minutes to go, Holzken controlled from top and Gracie was content to stall out the fight on this back. Gracie moved for a lazy triangle attempt which Holzken shucked off and moved to side control. Desperation as Holzken worked for a forearm choke, Gracie simply slipped back into half guard and continued to frustrate. The final seconds ran down and Holzken was working for a last ditch attempt at a kimura. The bell sounded and a calm and collected Rollo Gracie had his arm raised to set up an all Brazil final against countryman Gustavo Santos


Result: Gracie by Points (21-4)

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Tycoon World Grappling Championship

185lbs Division 1 Finals


Round 2 Results


Oliver Hedman Karlsson

(31 years old, 178cm, 169lbs, TWGC Record 4-1)

VS

Bob Backlund

(43 years old, 189cm, 189lbs, TWGC Record 12-8)


Backlund keeps the dream alive with submission finish over Division 1 newcomer Hedman Karlsson!


Veteran grappler Bob Backlund stays on course for championship gold after snatching victory away from the superb Oliver Hedman Karlsson completely against the flow of the match. At 43 years old, this could well be Backlund’s last attempt at earning at TGWC title and though looking physically worn down, there was a glimmer of pure determination from the wily old submission specialist.

Sweden’s Hedman Karlsson was widely considered the underdog in this one and while he wasn’t victorious in the end, this performance would have done his stock absolutely no harm at all with many commenting that he will be a force to reckon with in future Division 1 events.


Karlsson snatched an easy 2 points with a single leg that caught Backlund napping and threatened early with an arm triangle from the top. Backlund regained guard and started probing for weaknesses himself but he just didn’t have the position to really get a hold on anything. Proceedings began to look a little bleak for Backlund as Karlsson started to rack up points for passes and full mount. Karlsson looked a step or two ahead and showing dominance in the face of Backlund’s submission prowess. Five minutes in, Karlsson ahead 15-0 and looking for a guillotine from mount and many wondering if Backlund was simple going to roll over with a whimper but that just isn’t in his nature and a failed arm-bar attempt by Karlsson allowed Backlund to hit a sweep in his guard. Karlsson threatened with a triangle which was defended and Backlund tried desperately to pass guard. Pushed up against the cage side, Kalsson found the leverage to sweep and once against found himself in top position. 17-2 on the scoreboard and eight minutes gone. A lapse in concentration from the Swede allowed Backlund to throw his legs up. Experience showed as Backlund tightened the noose around a panicking Karlsson who’s frantic attempts to escape only made things worse and within no time at all the rapid taps could be heard all around the silent arena and Bob Backlund had somehow managed to turn it around. Backlund obviously over the moon as he books his place in the 185lbs Division 1 finals.


Result: Bob Backlund by Submission (Triangle)


Daniel Brown

(42 years old, 180cm, 165lbs, TWGC Record 9-6)

VS

Thatcher Halverson

(32 years old, 196cm, 200lbs, TWGC Record 3-1


Brown dominates Halverson to set up his first TWGC Divison 1 final appearance!


Daniel Brown made a definite statement of intent here tonight as he utterly dominated Division 1 newcomer Thatcher Halverson and booked himself a showdown with fellow veteran Bob Backlund. Like Backlund, Brown’s advancing age puts him on borrowed time for a TWGC title but if this performance was anything to go by, it might just be his time. Thatcher Halverson, making his first appearance at Division 1 level, wasn’t able to ever really get into this bout and though only just coming into his grappling prime, will no doubt be disappointed with his performance here tonight.


Halverson took the initiative and moved into the clinch prompting Brown to counter with a sly trip takedown into half guard. Halverson swept and the game was afoot and the crowd sat back eager to enjoy a hotly contested semi-final grappling showdown. Brown hit a decisive sweep straight into mount earning him a massive 4 points for the effort. Halverson, aware of the danger, worked desperately to regain half guard which he was able to do using leverage from the cage. The match up went back and forth at a high pace with Brown passing guard and Halverson regaining it. Four minutes in and the scoreline favoured Brown 14-6 and Halverson in the guard of Brown. Brown started to show a little more aggression for the finish as he began probing for openings in the defence of Halverson. Feinting for the arm-bar, Brown used the distraction to set up a slick sweep to reverse the position. Halverson then took his turn to threaten but Brown defended all attempts to improve position and took the opportunity to pass guard. 19-6 for Brown at minute 7 and both grapplers trying hard to improve position. Halverson working to control Brown’s posture but instead he let Brown slip a leg through and within an instant found himself defending against an armbar. With nothing left to do but tap, Thatcher Halverson had been submitted and Daniel Brown triumphant and a spot in the final


Result: Daniel Brown by Submission (Armbar)

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Great work KD. 500k paid.

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Tycoon World Grappling Championship


145lbs Division 1 Finals



145lbs Division 1 Final



Gustavo “The Russian” Santos


(35 years old, 175cm, 137lbs, TWGC Record 12-4)


VS


Rollo Gracie


(39 years old, 171cm, 154lbs, TWGC Record 9-2)



Gracie shuts down Santos in lacklustre all-Brazil final!



Though not the most exciting of finals ever witnessed, it was certainly a lesson in excellence as 39 year old Rollo Gracie completely dominated his fellow countryman Gustavo Santos and prevented him from scoring even a single point. At times during the bout the crowd were understandably restless with the tactics on display from Gracie but overall he seemed unphased by this and content with his work rate and the reward of a point every now and again



For Gustavo Santos, it must have felt like grappling with a brick wall. Right from the offset, he was bundled into the cage and taken down with ease from the clinch. Gracie, enjoying a seventeen pound weight advantage used this to great effect and was able to constantly keep Santos uncomfortable from half guard. It was some time before the next points were scored as Santos tried to regain full guard only for Gracie to drop his weight and control. Close to three minutes in, Gracie was finally able to free his foot and advanced to full mount and waited patiently for Santos to make a mistake. Santos kept busy but was expending a lot of energy underneath the weight of his opponent and was almost caught in a guillotine. The vast majority of the bout was spent this way, with Gracie in mount and doing the very bare minimum to not be penalised for passivity. Santos, wary of the danger he was in was unwilling to risk making a further mistake and Gracie, waiting a little too patiently for the mistake to come, was unwilling to risk his dominant position will a failed submission attempt. Two minutes from the end, a frustrated and tired Santos finally made his move but was unable to remove Gracie from mount and instead let his opponent slip to his back. Gracie slowly worked to control the arm in order to secure the rear naked choke but ran out of time as the bell sounded for the fifteen minute time limit. A dejected Santos, physically and emotionally drained, could only look on as an ecstatic Rollo Gracie was crowned as the 2018 145lbs Division 1 Tycoon World Grappling Champion.



Result: Gracie by Points (8-0)


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Tycoon World Grappling Championship


185lbs Division 1 Finals



185lbs Division 1 Final



Bob Backlund


(43 years old, 189cm, 189lbs, TWGC Record 12-8)


VS


Daniel Brown


(42 years old, 180cm, 165lbs, TWGC Record 9-6)



Heartbreak for Backlund as Brown finishes him to claim title!



The road to the 2018 185lbs Division 1 Final definitely made for a great story as 43 year old Bob Backlund and 42 year old Daniel Brown both sought to capture their first ever TGWC title as the sands of time ran down on their athletic careers. No one in the audience would claim to be disappointed with the effort from each of these veteran grapplers but unfortunately there could only be one winner and on the night it was Daniel Brown who was able to realise his dream with a dramatic last minute submission victory.



The bout started fast and furious with Brown initiating the clinch and traded take down attempts with his opponent. Brown dropped down for a leg but Backlund quickly countered and was able to land Brown on his back for the first 2 points for a takedown into guard. Brown instantly began trying to pressure Backlund with submissions and kept his hips loose, threatening with a triangle to which Backlund was able to shuck off into side control. 5-0 up and it was Backlunds turn to put Brown under pressure as he first worked for a sly far side armbar and then slickly transitioned into a regular armbar. Brown preempted the move however and was able to use the momentum and roll into Backlunds guard earning him 2 points for a sweep. Both grapplers feinted with half committed submission attempts before Brown passed into side control and evened the score 5-5. Backlund regained half guard and Brown worked to pass once more. A little after five minutes Brown took the lead with another guard pass this time into mount. Unable to keep the dominant position for long, it was back to half guard and there the match slowed down a little. Both grapplers jockeying for leverage. Brown on top looking to pass and Backlund off of his back trying to prevent and control. Nine minutes passed and Brown extended the lead with another pass once again into side control. Backlund fought back to half guard only to concede yet another score as Brown volleyed back. With the match beginning to run away from him, Backlund needed a big score to get back into it which he was gifted a moment later when Brown mistimed an armbar attempt which allowed him the opportunity for a 4 point sweep from the bottom. Backlund now moved up a gear and began working for submissions leading to a mad scramble that saw both fighters landing sweeps and passes. Backlund had top control but was down 13-16 with only two minutes remaining. Close to a minute to go and he was able to secure an arm and desperately worked on finishing a Kimura from half guard. Brown defended and regained full guard. Backlund stalled and, posturing up, took a quick moment to check the time. In that instant Brown snatched an arm and using the very last of his energy reserve, swivelled his hips underneath and into a textbook armbar. Backlund tried to roll out but it was over and he was forced to tap. Daniel Brown jumps up and pumps his fist yes! His quest for a Division 1 title finally comes to fruition while Backlund rests on his knees staring blankly at the ground without betraying any emotion at all.



Result: Daniel Brown by Submission (Armbar)


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