Brazilian jiu jitsu competition to include $1,000 prize

GULF BREEZE — Brazilian jiu jitsu is a grappling-based martial art using chokes and attacks on joints to force the opponent to submit. Practitioners in the area will have the chance to test their skill 10 a.m. Nov. 18 at Gulf Breeze High School, 675 Gulf Breeze Parkway, at the second Southeastern Submission Classic.

Tra Alidor and Sammy Collingwood are the event organizers. Alidor estimates the first tournament drew roughly 220 competitors. 

The first tournament took place at the Guy Thompson Community Center in Milton. The new location will ideally draw more out-of-town competitors, according to Alidor.

"It’s in Gulf Breeze," he said. "I think that’s just a better location for most people. It’s close to the beach so it appeals to people out of town so they can vacation and compete all in one. The last time was a huge success. It was a great turnout. We’re expecting this one to be bigger."

Standard jiu jitsu tournaments award competitors points for various achievements during a match, such as taking an opponent to the mat and getting into a dominant position. In the submission-only tournament, submission primarily decides the winner. However, there is a time limit and three overtime rounds. If there are no submissions at the end of the overtime rounds, the competitor with the fastest escape times wins the match.

"A submission-only tournament promotes more action," Alidor said. "It’s more exciting to watch."

All ages and experience levels can compete in various divisions. Competitors in the $1,000-prize absolute division of the upcoming tournament include black belt Sergio Ardila from American Top Team Atlanta, brown belt Scott Philips from 10^th Planet Jiu Jitsu Mobile and brown belt Matheus Gabriel from Checkmat Allen in Allen, Texas.

Kakuto Challenge, which puts on submission-only tournaments in Atlanta, is sponsoring half the prize money.

"They are friends with us," Alidor said, "but I think more importantly they want to support the grappling scene."

Alidor owns Team Remedy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA on Avalon Boulevard but says the tournament is not about his school.

"It is our goal to help all the local schools," Alidor said. "We don’t want this to be Remedy’s tournament. It’s a tournament helping everybody."

The cost for spectators is $10.

"Come out," Alidor said. "Watch it. There will be a lot of action. It’s as close as you can get to a fight without any strikes. It’s interesting and fun to watch."

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Brazilian jiu jitsu competition to include $1,000 prize