Pit Submission Series 1 took place on January 26th, 2024 and the results featured 3 matches between BJJ veterans and top contenders from New Wave Jiu-Jitsu. The event presented a unique approach to professional grappling, as none of the matches would be using either a cage or standard raised matted area. The event was presented by Karate Combat and the grapplers would be using the promotion’s famous pit with slanted walls around it. The promotion announced the news that they were going to host grappling matches for the first time just a matter of days before they event took place, and they quickly followed that up with revealing the 3 matches that would make up the card.
The night started out well for the New Wave Jiu-Jitsu team, as their youngest member led the way in the opening match. Helena Crevar was taking on experienced competitor Caitlin Murdock and she sat to guard immediately, dealing with Murdock’s double-under passing very comfortably. Once she got to closed guard she was able to show off the diversity in her game by transitioning to rubber guard and locking up the Dead Orchard to get the finish. It was a pretty flawless performance from the teenage prospect and she managed to add another good name to her ever-growing resume of wins.
The second match of the night saw one of the best brown belts in the world, Luke Griffith, taking on an MMA and ADCC veteran in Vagner Rocha. Griffith got close to taking Rocha’s back early in the match but Rocha escaped well and eventually scrambled to his feet, where the majority of the match took place. Neither man was able to get the clear advantage standing until Rocha managed to shoot in and transition to a nice little trip with just three minutes left. He briefly took Griffith’s back but Griffith escaped and they resumed their battle on the feet, but Rocha landed another trip as they entered the last minute. Rocha maintained top position and even advanced to side control just before the match ended, securing him the decision victory.
With the New Wave Jiu-Jitsu team going 1-1 in their results at Pit Submission Series 1, their hopes rested on Dan Manasoiu to get them a winning record on the night. He had a tough match against Max Gimenis and although he came close to scoring the first takedown, he ended up having to settle for starting on the bottom. It took him a few minutes to work but Gimenis eventually passed Manasoiu’s guard, although he wasn’t able to stay there long. Another few minutes of action in the guard resulted in Gimenis securing side control once again, switching between there and north-south to maintain control. Manasoiu did escape with over a minute left but Gimenis passed once again and managed to finish the match in mount to win the decision.
Pit Submission Series 1 Full Results
Max Gimenis defeats Dan Manasoiu via Decision – Unanimous
Vagner Rocha defeats Luke Griffith via Decision – Unanimous
Helena Crevar defeats Caitlin Murdock via Submission – Dead Orchard
The full Pit Submission Series 1 event replay, including all three matches in the results above, is available to watch as the preliminary card to Karate Combat Kickback 1 on the promotion’s official YouTube channel:
