Pit Submission Series 5 is scheduled for May 30th, 2024 and the promotion has announced the full lineup of three matches that will be taking place in the famous Karate Combat pit. The promotion has stuck to their tried and tested methods of matchmaking by putting elite grapplers against popular UFC veterans for two matches, while the third match is being contested between a pair of ADCC medalists who have also won an IBJJF No Gi World Championship in the past. All three matches will likely produce some entertaining moments for the fans in attendance and as always, it’ll be interesting to see whether any of the competitors are able to use the pit wall to their advantage.
Helena Crevar is competing in the only women’s match on the card and she’s looking to maintain her perfect record at Pit Submission Series. She is currently 1-0 in the Karate Combat pit after she submitted Caitlin Murdock at the inaugural event, and this time around she’s facing UFC flyweight veteran Mariya Agapova. Although she has multiple wins by submission in her MMA career, Agapova has also lost her two most recent fights by submission too. Given that Crevar is one of the top New Wave Jiu-Jitsu prospects and she’s already beaten elite grapplers as a teenager, she should be a heavy favorite going into this match.
Ethan Crelinsten will also be featuring in the Pit Submission Series 5 lineup after a successful promotional debut, although his first match was much more recently. He submitted ONE Championship fighter Troy Worthen at Pit Submission Series 3 and now he’ll be facing another MMA veteran in his second appearance. Crelinsten has been matched up against top UFC lightweight Jordan Leavitt, another great grappler with a wide range of different submission wins throughout his career. Crelinsten is an ADCC Trials winner though and he will definitely be the favorite in a match against anyone who’s not a grappling specialist.
The final match will see ADCC silver medalist AJ Agazarm coming up against Lucas ‘Hulk’ Barbosa, who happens to have both an ADCC bronze and silver medal to his name. Agazarm won his medal at under 66kg whereas Barbosa’s have come in the under 88kg and under 99kg divisions. Likewise Agazarm won an IBJJF No Gi World Championship at lightweight back in 2014, whereas Barbosa has won it at middleweight, medium-heavyweight, heavyweight, and the absolute division from 2015 to 2017. This should be the closest match out of the three at the event, but Barbosa’s size advantage and more sustained success will make him the favorite regardless.
Pit Submission Series 5 Full Lineup
AJ Agazarm vs Lucas ‘Hulk’ Barbosa
Ethan Crelinsten vs Jordan Leavitt
Helena Crevar vs Mariya Agapova
The full Pit Submission Series 5 event, including all three matches in the above lineup, will be available to watch live on May 30th, 2024 on the Karate Combat YouTube channel.
