EBI 23: The Featherweights took place on March 30th, 2025 and there were quite a few crazy results as the Combat Jiu-Jitsu tournament unfolded. Mauricio Rios started the night off with a huge upset in the very first match, as he submitted the early favorite Matt Masch in overtime. He then continued the unlikely run by finishing John Chandler with a heel hook before getting one of the most impressive finishes of the night in his next match. Rios submitted Kevin Dantzler with a lightning-quick heel hook to book his place in the final and not only was this is another big name on his resume, but it was made even more impressive by the fact that Dantzler was pretty fresh after two quick highlight-reel finishes.
Top ATOS product Demian Balderrama had an equally impressive performance on his way to the final and although he wasn’t as much of an underdog as Rios, he still wasn’t expected to make it that far initially. He showed off some excellent wrestling and a wide variety of attacks on the ground, as he finished all three of his opponents with different submissions. That booked him a place opposite Rios in the final and he continued his incredible streak there too. Balderrama got in on an armbar and chased it relentlessly until he broke down every stage of Rios’ defense for the finish, becoming the EBI 23 champion.
EBI 23: The Featherweights Full Results
Opening Round
Mauricio Rios defeats Matt Masch via Submission – Rear-naked Choke in EBI Overtime
John Chandler defeats Dylan Cameron via Submission – Arm-in Rear-naked Choke
Kevin Dantzler defeats Marvin Blumer via Submission – Heel Hook
Juan Diaz defeats Zack Schneider via Submission – Rear-naked Choke in EBI Overtime
Alexis Torres defeats Tim Elliott via Submission – Triangle Choke
Brady Branscum defeats Gavin Teasdale via Submission – Rear-naked Choke in EBI Overtime
Demian Balderrama defeats Gustavo Mercado via Submission – Shoulder-lock
Christhian Rivas defeats Jordan Wirth via Submission – Rear-naked Choke in EBI Overtime
Quarter-Finals
Mauricio Rios defeats John Chandler via Submission – Heel Hook
Kevin Dantzler defeats Juan Diaz via Submission – Flying Armbar
Brady Branscum defeats Alexis Torres via Submission – Rear-naked Choke in EBI Overtime
Demian Balderrama defeats Christhian Rivas via Submission – Armbar
Semi-Finals
Mauricio Rios defeats Kevin Dantzler via Submission – Heel Hook
Demian Balderrama defeats Brady Branscum via Submission – Calf-slicer
Final
Demian Balderrama defeats Mauricio Rios via Submission – Armbar
Superfights
David Garcia defeats Luigi Gonzales via Submission – Rear-naked Choke
Dominic Lobo defeats Andres Luna via Submission – Gogoplata
The full EBI 23: The Featherweights event replay, including all of the above results, is available to watch on UFC Fight Pass.
