Four black belt stars from Team Lloyd Irvin will step onto the Fight To Win stage this weekend as they headline the event's first show in Maryland.

The Camp Springs-based team is a powerhouse on the local scene. TLI recently dominated the IBJJF DC Open, earning over twice as many team points as the second-place finishers.

​DJ Jackson. Photo: Mike Calimbas

TLI is fielding four of its best at Fight To Win Pro 53 on Friday, Nov. 3, and three of them will be competing for titles.

DJ Jackson vs Gilbert Burns

In the main event, DJ Jackson goes up against renowned UFC fighter and no-gi world champion Gilbert Burns in a black belt no-gi middleweight title match. Jackson most recently competed in South Korea, beating another UFC fighter in Dong Hyun Kim. Durinho hasn't competed in a pure grappling bout since he submitted John Combs (a common opponent that Jackson also submitted) at Submission Underground 4 in May.

---

Tim Spriggs vs Leonardo Nogueira

Tim Spriggs and Leonardo Nogueira of Alliance will go at it in the co-main event, fighting for the gi heavyweight title. Spriggs makes his first return to the gi since the 2016 Pans. Nogueira most recently competed at Fight To Win Pro 36 in June, when he beat Ricardo Abreu by decision.

---

Aarae Alexander vs Talita Alencar

In the toughest match of her young career, TLI black belt Aarae Alexander faces off with reigning black belt world champion Talita Alencar for the flyweight title. The two already fought once before, with Alencar winning a decision over six minutes. This time around it'll be a 10-minute match, giving both plenty of time to work.

---

Jamil Hill vs Joseph Overstreet

Finally, Jamil Hill takes on Alliance black belt Joseph Overstreet in a 155lb match. Like Jackson, Hill comes off a strong win in South Korea, having won the Spyder Invitational Championship earlier this month. This rising star is one to keep an eye on after earning a bronze medal in his first World Championships as a black belt in June.

---

Who do you think will win? Have your say!

[polldaddy poll="9864680"]
[polldaddy poll="9864681"]
[polldaddy poll="9864682"]
[polldaddy poll="9864683"]

---

How to Watch Fight To Win Pro 53

On TV: Now available on Roku and Apple TV 4 -- download the FloSports app today.
STREAMING: Available only on FloGrappling via monthly or yearly memberships. A yearly FloPRO subscription provides access to ALL FloSports sites. SIGN UP HERE

Join The Conversation On Social

• Follow us on Twitter @FloGrappling
• Follow us on Instagram @FloGrappling
• Follow us on Facebook