Grapplefest have just announced that their next event, Grapplefest 17, will be headlined by an excellent title-fight between a pair of ADCC veterans, Eoghan O’Flanagan and William Tackett. The event will take place on November 18th, 2023 and if past events are anything to go by then the promotion will be putting together a stacked card full of the best grapplers from all around Europe and beyond. They’ve started out on the right foot as well, because this title-fight will no doubt produce some memorable moments as two of the world’s top competitors meet on the mats.
O’Flanagan has been the promotion’s reigning under 90kgs champion for over a year, winning the title by submitting Jon ‘Thor’ Blank at Grapplefest 12. Although O’Flanagan has been known as one of the top UK competitors for a while before that, he burst onto the global scene shortly after that win. He had already earned a place at ADCC 2022 by winning the European Trials in 2021 and his debut appearance was definitely one to remember. He ended up finishing fourth in a tough 88kg division, going 2-2 with some impressive performances against the best grapplers on the planet.
He returned to the UK after that and quickly made his first Grapplefest title-defense, defeating Jacob Couch by unanimous decision in the main event of Grapplefest 14. Tackett will be a tough opponent for the next defense of his title too, as he has achieved a similar level of success in his career. He also won an edition of ADCC trials to earn a place at ADCC 2022, although he competed at 77kg and was submitted in the opening round. The size difference might be a determining factor but outside of that, both men are incredibly talented grapplers and will no doubt put on a show.
Grapplefest announced the news that Eoghan O’Flanagan would be defending his under 90kgs title against William Tackett at Grapplefest 17 in a recent post to their official Instagram account:
