The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Los Angeles featured a ton of upsets and unexpected results as favorites fell. Here's a quick recap of the major results from the day and an explanation of what went down. 

Slow start for champ Erberth

Erberth Santos got into Los Angeles late Friday night / early Saturday morning and the last-minute arrival definitely appeared to hurt him in the earlier matches. Santos used his opening two as a kind of warm-up, getting by Matheus Felipe and Helton Junior via a penalty and an advantage. A submission (toehold) over Max Gimenis over the final shows that Santos has got what it'll take to win King of Mats on Sunday September 23. It's not quit the old Erberth, but we'll take it. 

Newsflash: Grippo beats Miyao!

Gianni Grippo overcome a huge roadblock in his career by getting his first ever win over longtime featherweight rival Paulo Miyao in a close and hard-fought match. The American won 2-0 via a late sweep from 50-50, though the result was debated at length by the referees with the aid of instant replays at matside. The tension during this post-match analysis was palpable, with neither Grippo nor Miyao seemingly confidant they were assured of victory. 

"Paulo is someone that I've admired and respected for a very long time. We've been competing since we were brown belts. It's been a while now. This is the first time I've got the win, it's been a lot of close calls, a lot of close fights, very frustrating. It was a another close one today but it went in my favor and I'm pleased." 

"I think I deserved the loss," said Miyao. "I tried to run away two times in the 50-50 and fell out of the mat. I just need to figure out some things and try to do better next time. I will train the same, I don't need to change a lot, I just have to put my mind in the correct place." 

Pessanha's dream is Nathiely's nightmare

Rising star Gabi Pessanha showed the hype behind her is for real by taking out two-time black belt World champion, two-time Abu Dhabi World Pro champion and two-time Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Los Angeles champion Nathiely de Jesus. 

Pessanha opened her gold medal run with a 13-0 win over Shantelle Thompson. Nathiely and Pessanha met in the semifinal, with the young brown belt winning 4-2. A 2-0 win over fellow brown belt up-and-comer Kendall Reusing in the final gave Pessanha her second ADGS title following her win in Tokyo back in July. 

Key Results: 

• Caio Caetano of NS Brotherhood, a new face on the black belt scene, scored his first big tournament win with a decision victory over Victor Siverio at 77kg. 

• Mayssa Bastos was crowned 49kg brown/black belt champion by beating Luna Barea of Spain in a best of three, submitting her opponent twice. 

• Gabi Lima emerged champ at 62kg by beating Nicky Sullivan of Atos and 2018 World Pro champ Bianca Basilio. 

• Gabriel Sousa beat veteran black belt Hiago George for 62kg gold with the ZR Team black belt winning 2-0. 

• The 70kg female brown-blacks belt decision saw two big name black belts get hurt. Luiza Monteiro injured her knee during a match with Raquel Canuto, who then injured her shoulder in the following match with Thamara Silva. Brown belt Silva won gold beating Sam Cook in the final by decision. 

Results of the Finals 

Men: 

56kg: Jorge Nakamura def Jose Lima 8-8, 3-0 adv

62kg: Gabriel Sousa def Hiago George 2-0 

69kg: Gianni Grippo def Paulo Miyao 2-0 

77kg: Caio Caetano def Victor Silverio via decision 

85kg: Manuel Ribamar def Rudson Mateus via decision 

94kg: Gustavo Batista def Kaynan Duarte 2-0 

110kg: Erberth Santos def Max Gimenis via toehold

Women: 

49kg: Mayssa Bastos def Luna Barea via submission 

55kg: Nathalie Ribeiro def Amanda Monteiro 0-0, 1-0 adv

62kg: Gabrielli Lima def Nicole Sullivan 4-2

70kg: Thamra Silva def Sam Cook via decision 

90kg: Gabrielli Pessanha def Kendall Reusing 2-0