The latest edition of the Emerald City Invitational brought together eight athletes to compete in their very first absolute division and the promotion delivered some fantastic results by the time the night was over. The original lineup went through a few changes as some grapplers were forced to withdraw due to injury but in the end, the tournament bracket was still full of exciting talent. One of John Danaher’s latest prodigies, the gigantic Dan Manasoiu, emerged victorious with three submission wins and only going to EBI overtime once. Manasoiu is an ADCC trials winner but he’s shown some incredible development since then, even though that was just earlier this year.
In the opening round he defeated Kyle Myers in EBI overtime, before submitting Maxim Cote with a rear-naked choke in the semifinals. Standing opposite him in the final was Austin Baker, who had submitted both of his first two opponents in regulation time. Baker finished Steve Joachim with an armbar in the first round and Franco Pana with an arm-triangle choke in the semifinals. Manasoiu showed the depth of his game in the final when he attacked the legs of Baker and managed to lock up an inside heel hook to take home the title.
Emerald City Invitational Absolute Division Full Results
Quarter Finals
Daniel Manasoiu defeats Kyle Myers via Decision – EBI overtime win
Maxim Cote defeats Pat Shahgholi via Decision – EBI overtime win
Austin Baker defeats Steve Joachim via Submission – Armbar
Franco Pana defeats Sean Yadimarco via Decision – EBI overtime win
Semi Finals
Daniel Manasoiu defeats Maxim Cote via Submission – Rear-naked Choke
Austin Baker defeats Franco Pana via Submission – Arm-triangle Choke
Final
Daniel Manasoiu defeats Austin Baker via Submission – Inside Heel Hook
Superfights
Andrew Kochel defeats Steve Kasten via Decision – EBI overtime win
Bryce Layme defeats Eric Naples via Decision – EBI overtime win
Estevan Martinez defeats Valor Boyler via Submission – Rear-naked Choke
The full Emerald City Invitational Absolute Division replay, including all of the above results, is available to watch on FloGrappling, click here to subscribe and watch.
