High BJJ stars Craig Jones and Joao Miyao will compete at Karate Fight’s Pit Submission Collection 2 on February 23.
Karate Fight’s foray into the world of submission grappling is nicely underway. The promotion lately introduced a pair of Pit Submission Collection matches, every that includes prime BJJ expertise.
On Friday, February 23, in Mexico Metropolis, Craig Jones will tackle present UFC welterweight Philip Rowe. Joao Miyao will sq. off with UFC bantamweight Ricky Simon, every in submission-only matches.
In January, Karate Fight held its first Pit Submission Series matches that noticed Max Gimenes, Vagner Rocha, and Helena Crevar choose up spectacular victories.
Each Jones and Miyao will likely be heavy favorites in opposition to their MMA-focused opponents.
Craig Jones vs. Phillip Rowe
The chief of the B-Staff, Jones has firmly established himself as among the finest no-gi rivals on the planet. Along with his pair of silver medals on the ADCC World Championships, the Australian holds latest notable victories over the likes of Richie Martinez, Nicholas Meregali, and Felipe Pena.
Rowe, in the meantime, is greatest recognized for his hanging sport however has been concerned in some high-level grappling matches. In 2021, he dropped a choice in opposition to elite black belt Kody Steele and confronted Gordon Ryan in an “exhibition match” by which he was dominated and submitted a number of occasions.
Jones will come into the competition seemingly the bigger man and positively the far more expert grappler. The 32-year-old is not any stranger to competing in opposition to prime MMA fighters. In his most up-to-date outing, at Polaris 26, he made fast work of all-time UFC middleweight submission chief Gerald Meerschaert, submitting him with a rear-naked choke.
Joao Miyao vs. Ricky Simon
One half of the famed Miyao brothers, Joao Miyao is without doubt one of the most achieved BJJ rivals of the previous decade. A four-time IBJJF no-gi world champion and one-time gi world champion, Miyao has been largely absent from the elite aggressive scene over the previous a number of years, selecting as an alternative to concentrate on the Masters divisions.
Simon is a veteran of 25 skilled MMA fights, together with 12 bouts within the UFC. A proficient wrestler and powerful top-control artist, he boasts 4 submission victories.
Whereas Simon is definitely a talented grappler with explosive takedowns, he’s in for a stiff take a look at in opposition to the ultra-experienced Miyao. Search for Miyao to assault from his vaunted open guard the place he’ll seemingly hunt for the again or attempt to create a leg entanglement.
How one can watch: Pit Submission Collection 2 takes place on Friday, February 23, and can air dwell and free on Karate Combat’s YouTube channel.