With seven mats and hundreds of highly-motivated competitors, the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Los Angeles is set to be one of the most interesting events of the season. 

As always, there are cash prizes on the line; blue belt gold medalists get $500, purple get $600, brown belt receive $1000 and black belts get $2500. 

Based in the talent hotbed of Southern California, the ADGS LA is drawing the best local talent but there are many high-level athletes flying in for this from around the world in an early bid to accrue points for the all-important UAEJJF ranking, which determines eligibility and seeding for the World Pro in April 2019. 

We've already highlighted some of the key names in the black belt divisions to watch, and even profiled a number of disruptors and dark horses who could give some surprises. 

Now the brackets are out, here are 11 first round matches sure to deliver fireworks! 

Click to watch Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Los Angeles LIVE or On Demand on FloGrappling

Saturday, Sept 22 | Los Angeles | 10pm PST

62kg: Gabriel Sousa vs Alexis Alduncin 

Sousa of ZR Team took silver at ADGS Tokyo, while Alduncin is one of Mexico's top competitive black belts. 

77kg: John Combs vs Victor Silverio 

Master of the "combatine" vs the Gracie Barra powerhouse that is Silverio. Combs always looks for the early finish but can he handle Siverio's ferocity? 

77kg: Jaime Canuto vs Leo Lara 

Canuto is a veteran of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam circuit, while Lara was one of the most impressive brown belts of the 2017-18 season. Now competing at black belt, he couldn't ask for a tougher test than a match with Canuto. 

94kg: Kaynan Duarte vs Jackson Sousa 

20-year-old Duarte is fast becoming one of the most active competitors at black belt, which is incredible considering he got promoted less than four months ago. Duarte and Sousa met last week in a no-gi match which went to a ref's decision in favor of the Atos standout. Now in the gi, can Sousa get his revenge? 

110kg: Max Gimenis vs Tanner Rice 

Though they are both long and lanky grapplers, Gimenis and Rice cut very different physical figures. Rice is leaner while Gimenis is carrying a lot of bulk – it will be interesting to see if the weight advantage plays into the GF Team black belt's favor. 

110kg: Fellipe Trovo vs Helton Junior

One of the more unorthodox grapplers on the scene, super flexible Fellipe Trovo of Gracie Barra will face off with Helton Junior, now representing Atos, who took third at this year's World Pro losing only to champion Felipe Pena. 

110kg: Erberth Santos vs Matheus Xavier 

Erberth is one of the best-known names in the game. Matheus Xavier is a newly-promoted black belt who topped the 2017-18 brown belt rankings and won no less than four Grand Slams and the World Pro. This will be his first UAEJJF tournament as a black belt, and what a test he's been given. 

Women's 55kg: Talita Alencar vs Amanda Monteiro

There is no loo lost between these two former teammates. Alencar and Monteiro have gone head to head a number of times and the matches are always scrappy, close-fight affairs. There's a lot on the line in this one. 

Women's 62kg: Bianca Basilio vs Gabrielle Lima 

2018 World Pro champion Basilio thrives under the dynamic conditions of the UAEJJF ruleset, as she can use her high-energy style to chase the finish. Gabi Lima of Gracie Humaita is just coming into her own as a back belt since getting promoted this year, 

Master 1 69kg: Samir Chantre vs Pablo Silva 

Chantre is known as one of the best lighter weight black belts in the world, but Silva is in his element here: 2018 World Pro champion, and winner of countless gold medals on the UAEJJF circuit. 

Purple 77kg: Andy Murasaki vs Lucas Protasio 

An interesting clash in the opening round of one of the colored belt divisions, Murasaki and Protasio are two of the most talented up-and-comers on the scene. Protasio won 6 matches to become World Pro champ as a blue belt and took the Grand Slam in London, too. Murasaki has twice won the Tokyo Grand Slam, at both blue and purple belt. One not to miss.