The Copa Podio 2016 Middleweight Grand Prix is around the corner and two explosive first round matches have been decided. 

Erberth Santos and Claudio Calasans make up one battle, while defending champion Leandro Lo will face newcomer Nicholas Meregali in the other first round match. 

Copa Podio opened up the first round matches to a public vote, allowing followers on Instagram the ability to determine these two face-offs. 



A random draw will take place later this week where the rest of the Grand Prix's contestants will be placed into one of the two groups. 

The remaining 8 competitors are: 

• Diego Borges 
  
• Dillon Danis 
  
• Dan Borovic 
  
• Victor Estima 
  
• Max Gimenis 
  
• John Combs
  

Calasans and Santos will be in the green group, while Lo and Meregali will be in the yellow group. 

The Copa Podio format will see the athletes from each group fight each other in a round-robin format, with points awarded for methods of victory. 

• 5 points for winning via submission
• 3 points for winning by points
• 2 points for winning by advantage
• 1 point for a draw 

The top two athletes from each group will then advance to the semi-finals, upon which it becomes a standard single-elimination tournament.