Enigma Invitational 14 is scheduled for February 26th, 2024 and the promotion has announced a fantastic lineup for their middleweight grand prix tournament. There will be a $10,000 prize available for the man who is able to win this 16-man bracket that contains several ADCC veterans and elite former MMA fighters. Alongside this exciting tournament, Enigma Jiu-Jitsu has also confirmed several superfights that will be taking place both before the bracket starts and in between rounds. Though there will be plenty of action in each of these superfights but most of the attention will be on the rematch between Keith Krikorian and one of the top New Wave Jiu-Jitsu prospects, Reese LaFever.
LaFever won’t be competing alone either as another one of John Danaher‘s young prospects, Davis Asare, will be entering the middleweight grand prix. Asare is definitely an exciting and talented competitor, but the odds will definitely be stacked against him in this tournament. In fact another one of his teammates, multiple-time ADCC veteran Oliver Taza, actually represents one of the toughest opponents he might face as he makes his way through the bracket. There are at least two men who will be eager to take Taza out though, as he currently holds three wins over John Combs and two over Nick Ronan, both of whom are entering the middleweight grand prix lineup at Enigma Invitational 14.
The early favorite is most likely going to be Jacob Couch though really, as it seems like the Pedigo Submission Fighting talent has reached a whole new level in his career lately. He also has someone who will be gunning for him as well, as he has beaten David Garmo a total of five times over the last two years and Garmo would almost certainly love to get one back. There are more than a few surprises waiting in the bracket as well, most notably Jeremy Skinner. Skinner has won ADCC Trials in the past and although he might be at a bit of a size disadvantage in this tournament, he’s also established himself as one of the best in the world at the lighter weight classes already.
MMA legend Nick Newell will also be competing in the tournament and although he’s not as experienced as most of his opponents in submission grappling, he’ll also be a huge threat once the match starts. He’s not the only MMA veteran either, as Ian Butler is continuing his transition to becoming a professional grappler by entering this tournament. The bracket is rounded out by several veteran competitors who are always capable of beating top contenders; Johnny Tama, Caleb Crump, Max Weslei, Angelo Claiborne, Luis Cabrera, and Jesse James Kosakowski.
Enigma Jiu-Jitsu announced the full lineup for the middleweight grand prix and each of the superfights at Enigma Invitational 14 in a series of posts to their official Instagram account: