News & Updates

A Note From the Organizer
Thank you to everyone who competed, volunteered and came to watch the 2009 Freestyle Grappling Open.  The field surged to roughly 200 adult competitors, marking the third straight year of participation growth.

This year, Team Link captured the overall team trophy, unseating two-time winner, the Academy of Mixed Martial Arts. Congratulations to Team Link for such an impressive showing.

Both the Gi and No-Gi absolute matches featured world-class brazilian jiu-jitsu.  In the Gi competition, Abmar Barbosa of Drysdale Jiu-Jitsu ended a valiant run by 154lbs Renan Borges of BTT. In the No-Gi absolute, Alexandre Moreno of Team Link topped past winner Dan Simmler of Serra BJJ.

In the women’s absolute division, Nathalia Azoff of BTT defeated Amie Thompson of Alexey Cruz Jiu-Jitsu and in the Gi division, Alison Tracey of AMMA secured the title over Jill Valenzuela, also of AMMA.
Full results, pictures and video can be found on-line at www.FreestyleGrapplingOpen.com.

Next year we will be making adjustments to prevent the delays we experienced this year.  Expect double the number of mats, some adjustments to the divisions, and for No-Gi competitors to go first. 

 Finally, stay tuned for an important announcement regarding next year.

 Thank you again for being part of the 2009 FGO.

Rufus Frost,
Tournament Founder/Director

FREESTYLE GRAPPLING OPEN RETURNS TO THE PORTLAND EXPO CENTER FOR A THIRD YEAR OF COMPETITION OCT. 11, 2009

Portland, ME, October 7, 2009 – On Sunday, Oct. 11th 2009, top Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo and wrestling talent from throughout New England will descend on Portland as Maine’s premier grappling contest returns for an intense day of competition. Once again this year has an extensive array of divisions offered to athletes of all skill levels.

“Now in our third year, we are attracting some of the best talent in New England to compete in the upper ranks and large numbers of athletes at the beginner level” says Tournament Founder/Director Rufus Frost. Organizers hope to exceed last year’s attendance which had over 150 participants competing in more than 40 divisions. 

The team trophy for top performing school was awarded to The Academy of Mixed Martial Arts from Westbrook, ME. 

The event’s management team includes staff from Aura360, a leading emerging sports marketing firm based in Portland, decorated Olympic champion Jimmy Pedro, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Alexey Cruz, and numerous staff and volunteers.

FACT SHEET
PRIZING
In addition to a team trophy for the top performing school and individual medals for each division, a $1,500 cash prize will be awarded to the winners of the Absolute division. Prizing will be as follows:

WINNER MEN’S NO-GI: $500 WINNER WOMEN’S NO-GI: $250

WINNER MEN’S GI: $500 WINNER WOMEN’S GI: $250

RULES/FORMAT The Freestyle Grappling Open will offer both Gi and No-Gi Divisions. Competition scoring and rules are based on the fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The competition will follow a modified double elimination format. Divisions include Men’s Adult, Masters and Women’s Adult. Rules have been developed with safety and sportsmanship as the highest priority to ensure a fun and safe experience for all skill levels. 

ENTRY FEES
ONLINE, FAX AND MAIL-IN REGISTRATION: $60.00 per person; for BOTH Gi & No-Gi divisions $70.00
ON-SITE REGISTRATION: $70.00 per person; for BOTH Gi & No-Gi divisions $80.00
Current members of the military are entitled to a 10% discount. Proof must be presented at registration.

THE FREESTYLE GRAPPLING OPEN RETURNS TO PORTLAND FOR A THIRD YEAR OF COMPETITION ON OCTOBER 11TH, 2009
Registration for the event will open August 12th, 2009

Portland, ME, August 12, 2009 –The Freestyle Grappling Open, Maine’s premier grappling event will return on October 11th, 2009.  The event, which attracts top brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo and wrestling talent from throughout New England, will once again be held at the Portland Expo Center in Portland Maine.

The sport of grappling, and specifically brazilian jiu-jitsu, has grown dramatically over the past several years as mixed martial arts has exploded into the mainstream.  Grappling is considered a core discipline for fighters who compete in mixed martial arts.

Athletes from several schools in Portland, such as Choi’s and the Academy of Mixed Martial Arts will be competing.  Olympic judo champion Jimmy Pedro and other notable mixed martial artists are expected to attend. 

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