The full lineup for Third Coast Grappling 7 is finally here as eight of the world’s best Middleweight grapplers will be meeting to compete for the $15,000 grand prize. This upcoming event will mark the second time that the promotion has put one of their events on FITE TV and followed the PPV model, after Third Coast Grappling 6 earlier this year. It’s certainly a brave move, and one that not many promotions would be willing to make as many others believe the model is not one that can work for professional grappling.
Regardless, Third Coast Grappling is still pulling out all the stops in stacking the lineup for 3CG 7 and have even seen fit to include an elite wrestler who is slowly making his transition to Jiu-Jitsu, NCAA All-American Pat Downey. Competing alongside him in the Middleweight grand prix will be two ADCC veterans in John Combs and the Danaher Death Squad’s Oliver Taza. IBJJF brown belt World Champion and newly-promoted black belt Pedro Marinho is also going to fight for the grand prize and will likely make a huge impression at the event.
Alongside these experienced competitors is two young and hungry prodigies who will be eager to continue their fine form of late. Tye Ruotolo will be taking a run at the 3CG 7 grand prix just a matter of weeks after he gets his chance at replicating his brother’s success at the Combat Jiu-Jitsu World Championships in Cancun. The other young prodigy is none other than William Tackett, who will no doubt be greatful of the weight-limit after he competed in the absolute grand prix at 3CG 6 and went out in the opening round despite putting up a great fight against Victor Hugo.
Another veteran of the 3CG mats will also be returning, in the form of Gustavo Batista who was last seen defeating Vinicius ‘Trator’ Ferreira in a superfight at 3CG Kumite 7. Pedro Rocha is then the final man who was announced for the Third Coast Grappling 7 Middleweight grand prix as yet another grappler with a high level of wrestling experience to complement his submission skills. He’ll be coming into the tournament hot off his ‘Submission of the night’ victory over Tony Tipton back at F2W 169.
To watch the upcoming Third Coast Grappling 7 on June 19th on FITE TV, click here.
