Submission Underground 17 has had to undergo a last minute change to the lineup but now it’s set in stone ready to go live on UFC FightPass for the 30th August. The event features a number of high-level BJJ black belts and experienced MMA fighters going head-to-head under Chael Sonnen’s banner, producing a number of interesting clashes. The biggest storyline going into the event is of course the headline match between Craig Jones and Mason Fowler, the third meeting between the pair.
Their first meeting was at ADCC 2019 where Jones submitted Fowler with an Arm-In Guillotine in the Quarter-Finals, before falling millimetres short of glory in the final against Matheus Diniz. Long before ADCC trials even began, Jones started racking up an impressive unbeaten streak under the promotion that eventually extended to 10 fights. The same night that Jones notched his 10th victory was also when a tournament was held to decide his next opponent, one in which Fowler worked his EBI Overtime game to perfection to beat all three opponents after regulation time.
That set up the second match between the pair, one that was marred by controversy when the referee gave Fowler the win due to what he perceived to be a verbal tap. Many fans did not agree that Jones had tapped and upon replay, it seemed clear that it was simply just a grunt of exertion. The third match gives us a way to put that issue to bed once and for all and find out who the best grappler to compete on Submission Underground really is.
Elsewhere on the card is Roberto Jimenez, who is also coming off a controversial tournament victory at Third Coast Grappling Kumite 5. He faces off against ultra-experienced MMA fighter and Combat Jiu-Jitsu competitor Jesse Taylor at the start of the main card. There’s also another appearance by Richie “The Boogeyman” Martinez, a SUG favorite, competing against late-notice replacement Ben Egli. Before that, the undercard is topped off by a fantastic match between 10th Planet’s PJ Barch and Danaher Death Squad member Ethan Crelinsten, shortly after Tristar BJJ coach Pierre-Olivier Leclerc takes to the mat.
Submission Underground 17 Full Card
Craig Jones v Mason Fowler
Gillian Robertson v Amanda Loewen
Ben Egli v Richie Martinez
Jesse Taylor v Roberto Jimenez
PJ Barch v Ethan Crelinsten
Sid Skrob v Pierre-Olivier Leclerc
Phill Schwartz v Frank Rosenthal
Justin Renick v Kaniela Kahuanui
Aaron Tiegs v Nicholas Maximov
Kyle Hinkle v Chase Davis
The full event will be streamed live on 30th August on UFC FightPass, click here to subscribe and watch.
