EBI Proves Ready for Prime Time
©2015 EBI3/Drex Photos -Blanca Marisa Garcia All Rights Reserved
Last June, my wife and I had a date night at the Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI). My past experiences with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments had me worried that we’d both die of boredom, but EBI was the exact opposite of what we expected. Because the competitors don’t wear the gi, and winning comes by submission and not points, the matches were very fast-paced; incredibly skilled athletes fighting for themselves and their school. Instead of my wife complaining about guys just holding onto each other, she was amazed by how graceful and smooth Geo Martinez was, and how all of the competitors were lightning quick.
The event made fans out of both of us, and we were excited for the second EBI in October. Unfortunately, we had the absolute worst seats in the venue, and, because there were two separate weight brackets, we couldn’t stay for the entire event.
When I told Jen about EBI 3, she wasn’t so sure that’s how she wanted to spend this past Sunday. I assured her it was going to be well worth it. They’d upgraded venues, moving to the Orpheum, and they were putting it out as a pay-per-view. Also, it was a 16-man-tournament with some of the best no-gi guys in the world, including Garry Tonon and Eddie Cummings, and the rounds would be shorter. Finally, and most intriguing, there were 3 super fights scheduled with young adult competitors.
Jen was game so we dropped off the kids at my parents’ house and headed downtown. The Orpheum was a great choice for the venue, there were no delays between matches, and the action was incredible with the first eight fights ending in submission.
Then it was time for the first super fight: 12-year-old Grace Gundrum vs Checkmat’s Alyssa Wilson. This was the match I most wanted to see. When I visited 10th Planet Bethlehem/Finishers MMA in PA in 2013 for my sociological study of the MMA fighter, the co-owners Zach Maslany and Jon Michael Holland, pointed out Grace and couldn’t stop talking about how impressive she was. I watched her train and I have followed her conquests through Facebook, as she racked up NAGA belts and various medals.
A few months ago, Grace and the Bethlehem crew returned to LA to do damage at Gracie Nationals. I didn’t have a chance to watch Grace compete, but I was at HQ when she rolled with UFC fighter Ben Saunders.
When Grace’s name was called and she walked on stage, I got a little nervous. When Alyssa, a 5x Pan Am champion came out, I became even more nervous.
My wife whispered to me what probably 90% of the crowd was thinking, “Oh no, she’s going to get crushed.”
Her coach, JM, had told me that Grace had dealt with adversity and didn’t start out winning; she lost some at first. Win or lose, he was so proud of her. “She’s a true martial artist, and you’d never know how good she is by looking at her. She does jiu jitsu solely for the love of it, not for attention or free stuff…She embodies what we should all strive to be.”
I don’t want to give away too much, but will just say how impressed I was with both of these young women. I urge you to watch this match and see what you think. MMA fans should appreciate this is the closest thing to mixed martial arts. Whether it’s gi or no-gi, jiu-jitsu is a battle, imposing your will on another, submitting your opponent, refusing to give up, risking limbs and reputations to showcase your art. Fans of any sport can appreciate the athleticism, skill level, and sportsmanship. And whether you’re 5 or 50, I hope everyone can look at this and be reminded that you are capable of doing anything you want; it’s just a matter of finding your passion and putting in the time.
EBI and other submission-only events are ready for prime time. Help make that become a reality by sharing this and other videos. If you want to watch the entire event, which I highly recommend, you can order it here through Budovideos.com.
