NAGA RESULTS Orlando, FL-On January 27, 2001, the North American Grappling Association took some pointers from the migrating birds of New England and flew south for some old fashioned Florida fightin'. The NAGA joined forces with World Extreme Fighting Promoter, Jamie Levine, and hosted the Sunshine State Submission Championship near the world capital of family entertainment, DisneyWorld. The tournament was the NAGA's first foray into the Deep South and competition proved to be fierce and entertaining. The competition also marked another first for the NAGA-traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu rules for the Gi divisions. Historically the NAGA has preferred to use its own, well-established submission rules over the BJJ rules. But after considering a great deal of feedback from NAGA members who prefer the BJJ rules, the NAGA decided to break from the norm and honor the fighters' requests. Just under 150 fighters from as far as Massachusetts traveled to Florida top compete. Here are the results: ADULT TEAM CHAMPIONS: 1st Place Team Marcio Simas - 69 Points 2nd Place Team Popovitch - 45 Points 3rd Place Team Renzo Gracie - 42 Points 4th Place Team Relson Gracie (Jax) - 39 Points KIDS TEAM CHAMPIONS: 1st Place Tiger Schulmann's Karate 2nd Place Performance Jiu-Jitsu 3rd Place Tong Dragon 4th Place Avellan Grappling Other tremendous team efforts included Team Avellan, Team Tampa, Team Manimal, Team Savannah Goshinbudo, Florida Fight Team, Team Internal Power, Team Conan & JBA! MOST TECHNICAL FIGHTER: Leonel Perez from Team Relson Gracie tore through his competition in both the Heavy and Light Heavy Advanced No-Gi Divisions. On his path to victory were some of NAGA's best, Anthony Argynos & David Tirelli who both made the trip down from the Northeast. Dave and Anthony will hopefully get another chance at Leonel when Rival Fight Gear offers Leonel a free trip to CT to compete in our 8-man competition in May. SUPERFIGHT RESULTS: Pablo Popovitch vs. Mat Santos 2000 North American Grappling Middleweight Champion Pablo Popovitch made quick work of Team JBA's Mat Santos winning by arm bar submission from the guard in 33 seconds. Pablo fights out of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Mat Santos, another NAGA champion, flew to Florida to compete in the light heavyweight advanced division. But Mat jumped at the chance to face the chiseled champion when Pablo's original opponent, Charles De Anjos, pulled a no-show. Look for Santos in the Feb 17th Absolute Division against Jeff Monson. Look for Pablo in the upcoming NAGA Mat Madness event on May 19th in Danbury, CT. Paul Rodriquez vs. Rodrigo Ramos While Paul Rodriquez is primarily an NHB fighter competing in WEF matches across the country, his pure grappling skills shined through in his 10-minute match against Rodrigo Ramos. While most of the match was fought from the stand up position, Rodriquez racked up advantages from numerous takedowns throughout the match. Ultimately when time ran out, the unanimous decision went to Paul Rodriquez. OVERALL: We had a great time in Florida and are looking forward to returning at the end of the year. I want to thank all of you who traveled from the Northeast and from neighboring states like MS, AL, SC, LA. Also a special thanks for the teams who made the 4 or 5 hour trip from Northern/Southern parts of Florida. NAGA SUNSHINE STATE SUBMISSION CHAMPIONS: NO GI Kids 59.9 lbs. & Under 1st Justin Kahlmeyer Tiger Schulmann NO GI Kids 60 to 74.9 lbs. (Girls) 1st Geordan Hogan Florida Fight Team NO GI Kids 60 to 74.9 lbs. (Boys) 1st Jesus Perez High Performance NO GI Kids Absolute (60 to 74.9) 1st Jesus Perez High Performance NO GI Kids 75 to 99.9 lbs. 1st Annie Turton Tong Dragon NO GI Kids 100 & Above 1st Enrico Cocco Avellan Grappling NO GI KIDS (Girls 14 & Under) 1st Amy Turton TeamTong Drag NO GI Teens (15,16,&17 Years Old) 1st Ted Barthle One Dragon MA NO GI Beninner Light Weight (154.9 & Under) 1st Hillard Wisehart Conan NO GI Intermediate Light Weight (154.9 & Under) 1st Wesley Oliveira Mario Simas NO GI Advanced Light Weight (154.9 & Under) 1st Richard Travis Team Tampa GI Beginner Light Weight (154.9 & Under) 1st Hillard Wisehart Conan GI Intermediate Light Weight (154.9 & Under) 1st Chris Renoza Relson Gracie JAX GI Advanced Light Weight (154.9 & Under) 1st Andre Marquez Rodriguez Manimal NO GI Seniors 35 Years + (One Division) 1st George Sernack Renzo NO GI Beginner Middle Weight (155 to 174.9) 1st Daniel Castro Internal Power NO GI Intermediate Middle Weight (155 to 174.9) 1st Anthony Tolone Mario Simas NO GI Advanced Middle Weight (155 to 174.9) 1st Shane Dunn Florida Fight Team GI Seniors 35 Years + (One Division) 1st George Sernack Renzo GI Beginner Middle Weight (155 to 174.9) 1st Nick Salce Popovitch GI Advanced Middle Weight (155 to 174.9) 1st Marcio Silva Popovitch NO GI Women's (One Division) 1st Leonor Cocco Avellan Grappling NO GI Beginner Light Heavy Weight (175 to 199.9) 1st Kelly Carter Popovitch NO GI Intermediate Light Heavy Weight (175 to 199.9) 1st Rafael Borges Internal Powers NO GI Advanced Light Heavy Weight (175 to 199.9) 1st Leonel Perez Relson Gracie JAX GI Beginner Light Heavy Weight (175 to 199.9) 1st Fabian Regas Manimal GI Intermediate Light Heavy Weight (175 to 199.9) 1st John Montaldo Mario Simas GI Advanced Light Heavy Weight (175 to 199.9) 1st Andre Rodriquez Manimal NO GI Beginner Heavy Weight (200 to 219.9) 1st Steven Pearson Mario Simas NO GI Beginner Super Heavy Weight (220 & Above) 1st Mike Buchkovich Florida Fight Team NO GI Intermediate Heavy Weight (200 to 219.9) 1st Chris Hickman Florida Fight Team NO GI Intermediate Super Heavy Weight (220 & Above) 1st Jerre Norton Tampa Judo JJ NO GI Advanced Heavy Weight (200 to 219.9) 1st Leonel Perez Relson Gracie JAX NO GI Advanced Super Heavy Weight (220 & Above) 1st Martin Villa Tampa Judo/JJ GI Beginner Super Heavy Weight (220 & Above) 1st Michael Yavez Popovitch GI Intermediate Heavy Weight (200 to 219.9) 1st Mark Colangelo Renzo Gracie GI Intermediate Super Heavy Weight (220 & Above) 1st Jerre Norton Tampa Judo JJ GI Advanced Heavy Weight (200 to 219.9) 1st Mat Santos GI Advanced Super Heavy Weight (220 & Above) 1st Jerry Nurton Tampa Judo COMPLETE RESULTS: NO GI Kids 59.9 lbs. & Under 1st Justin Kahlmeyer Tiger Schulmann 2nd Eric Martin Tiger Schulmann 3rd Santiago Buird Tiger Schulmann 4th Jake Castillo High Performance NO GI Kids 60 to 74.9 lbs. (Girls) 1st Geordan Hogan Florida Fight Team 2nd Amanda Hellman Tiger Schulmann NO GI Kids 60 to 74.9 lbs. (Boys) 1st Jesus Perez High Performance 2nd Wesley Matheny High Performance 3rd Tony Spicer High Performance 4th Mattew Bartlett Florida Studio Self Def NO GI Kids Absolute (60 to 74.9) 1st Jesus Perez High Performance 2nd Geordan Hogan Florida Fight Team NO GI Kids 75 to 99.9 lbs. 1st Annie Turton Tong Dragon 2nd Natasha Welch High Performance 3rd Caitlan Emerson Tiger Schulmann 4th Steven Hellman Tiger Schulmann NO GI Kids 100 & Above 1st Enrico Cocco Avellan Grappling 2nd Ed Castagliuolo Tiger Schulmann 3rd Jerry Simon Tiger Schulmann 4th Sean Downing Shootfighting NO GI KIDS (Girls 14 & Under) 1st Amy Turton TeamTong Drag 2nd Natasha Welch Team WGA, FL 3rd Kimberly Young Tiger Schulmann 4th Katlin Young Tiger Schulmann NO GI Teens (15,16,& 17 Years Old) 1st Ted Barthle One Dragon MA 2nd Keton Boutwell Boutwell Submission Arts 3rd Richard Bilbeo One Dragon MA NO GI Beninner Light Weight (154.9 & Under) 1st Hillard Wisehart Conan 2nd Akir Wong Popovitch 3rd Tommy Avias Jr Avellan Grappling 4th Roberto Mullon Avellan Grappling NO GI Intermediate Light Weight (154.9 & Under) 1st Wesley Oliveira Mario Simas 2nd Brian Robertson Savannah Goshinbudo 3rd Roberto Mallon Avellan Grappling 4th Jeffery Favor Relson Gracie JAX NO GI Advanced Light Weight (154.9 & Under) 1st Richard Travis Team Tampa 2nd Ken Allen Team Tampa 3rd Steve Rodriguez Central Florida JJ GI Beginner Light Weight (154.9 & Under) 1st Hillard Wisehart Conan 2nd Jeffery Favor Relson Gracie JAX GI Intermediate Light Weight (154.9 & Under) 1st Chris Renoza Relson Gracie JAX 2nd Hillard Wisehart Mario Simas 3rd Wesley Oliveira Mario Simas 4th Joe Cuff JBA GI Advanced Light Weight (154.9 & Under) 1st Andre Marquez Rodriguez Manimal 2nd Hillard Wisehart Conan 3rd Joe Cuff JBA NO GI Seniors 35 Years + (One Division) 1st George Sernack Renzo 2nd Mark Thomas Relson Gracie JAX 3rd Ernest Goodly South Florida boxing 4th Steve Piantieri JKD NO GI Beginner Middle Weight (155 to 174.9) 1st Daniel Castro Internal Power 2nd Matt Shedd 3rd Steve Piantieri Manimal Brothers 4th Nick Sake Popovitch NO GI Intermediate Middle Weight (155 to 174.9) 1st Anthony Tolone Mario Simas 2nd Mark Colangelo Renzo 3rd Marcio Silcy Popovitch 4th Todd Kelly Tiger Schulmann NO GI Advanced Middle Weight (155 to 174.9) 1st Shane Dunn Florida Fight Team 2nd Ruben Lopez NESF 3rd Mushin Corbbrey Savannah Goshinbudo 4th Elvis Garcia Tiger Schulmann GI Seniors 35 Years + (One Division) 1st George Sernack Renzo 2nd Thomas Cross High Performance 3rd Lawrence Kingston Central Florida JJ 4th Eddie Gibson Relson GI Beginner Middle Weight (155 to 174.9) 1st Nick Salce Popovitch 2nd Matt Graham Mario Simas 3rd Jhenson Vega Manimal GI Advanced Middle Weight (155 to 174.9) 1st Marcio Silva Popovitch 2nd Anthony Tolone Mario Simas 3rd Claudio Fidigal Popovitch 4th Mark Colangelo Renzo NO GI Women's (One Division) 1st Leonor Cocco Avellan Grappling 2nd Dawn North South Florida boxing 3rd Adrian Glathorn Savannah Goshinbudo NO GI Beginner Light Heavy Weight (175 to 199.9) 1st Kelly Carter Popovitch 2nd Rick Delvecchio 3rd Will Lavallee Florida Fight Team 4th Chad Angelocci ODMA NO GI Intermediate Light Heavy Weight (175 to 199.9) 1st Rafael Borges Internal Powers 2nd John Montaldo Mario Simas 3rd Anthony Montalao Gordosa 4th John Litwak Tampa Judo JJ NO GI Advanced Light Heavy Weight (175 to 199.9) 1st Leonel Perez Relson Gracie JAX 2nd Efrain Ruiz Valente/Cardosa 3rd Bill Scott Renzo Gracie 4th David Tirell Tiger Schulmann GI Beginner Light Heavy Weight (175 to 199.9) 1st Fabian Regas Manimal 2nd David Colburn Florida Fight Team 3rd Frank Kirmes Independent 4th Lourival Dallorto Manimal GI Intermediate Light Heavy Weight (175 to 199.9) 1st John Montaldo Mario Simas 2nd Christian McLaughlin DeLa Riva 3rd John Litwak Tampa Judo JJ 4th Matthew Rogers Relson Gracie JAX GI Advanced Light Heavy Weight (175 to 199.9) 1st Andre Rodriquez Manimal 2nd Hillard Wiseheart Conan 3rd Joe Cuff JBA NO GI Beginner Heavy Weight (200 to 219.9) 1st Steven Pearson Mario Simas 2nd Felix Mitchell Relson Gracie JAX NO GI Beginner Super Heavy Weight (220 & Above) 1st Mike Buchkovich Florida Fight Team 2nd Michael Yavez Popovitch 3rd Kevin Hennings 4th Miguel Olmo Internal Powers NO GI Intermediate Heavy Weight (200 to 219.9) 1st Chris Hickman Florida Fight Team 2nd Clint Dowing ISFA 3rd Steven Pearson Mario Simas NO GI Intermediate Super Heavy Weight (220 & Above) 1st Jerre Norton Tampa Judo JJ 2nd Jeremy Bass Florida Fight Team NO GI Advanced Heavy Weight (200 to 219.9) 1st Leonel Perez Relson Gracie JAX 2nd Anthony Argyros Advanced Fighting 3rd Chris Hickman NO GI Advanced Super Heavy Weight (220 & Above) 1st Martin Villa Tampa Judo/JJ 2nd Tom Sauer Rival 3rd Jeremy Buss Rival 4th Jerry Nurton Tampa Judo/JJ GI Beginner Super Heavy Weight (220 & Above) 1st Michael Yavez Popovitch 2nd Kevin Hennings 3rd Wilfredo Mercado Central Florida JJ GI Intermediate Heavy Weight (200 to 219.9) 1st Mark Colangelo Renzo Gracie GI Intermediate Super Heavy Weight (220 & Above) 1st Jerre Norton Tampa Judo JJ 2nd Michael Yavez Popovitch GI Advanced Heavy Weight (200 to 219.9) 1st Mat Santos 2nd Jerry Nurton Tampa Judo GI Advanced Super Heavy Weight (220 & Above) 1st Jerry Nurton Tampa Judo