The RISE Invitational returned to Long Island, NY this evening for its fifth event, featuring Jason Rau against Mansher Khera in the card’s main event.

The Danaher Death Squad representative, Rau, who was the current reigning RISE champ coming into the evening immediately sat to guard to open the match. Known for his tricky guard and leg lock prowess, he began setting up leg attack entries from the get-go.

Mansher “Munch” Khera, the 2017 ADCC trials winner, is no stranger to the leg lock game however, and thwarted Rau’s attacks at every step of the way. For most of the match Munch was content with playing top position, working to pass the long legs of Rau.

Rua, comfortable on bottom, was able to hold off the encroaching Munch for most of the 10-minute bout. He even set up a leg attack or two in the process and appeared more offensive of the two grapplers throughout the fight.

With 38-seconds left in the match, Munch was able to get by Rau’s guard and maintain side control, but couldn’t set up any attacks before the time expired. 

In the end, the result was left in the hands of the referees and it was Rau who got the nod and thus retained his RISE Invitational belt.

Notable Matches

Matheus Lutes showed relentless pressure and tenacity against Nick Ronan during regulation of their 10-minute sub-only bout, however, could not escape the tight grip of Ronan’s RNC in overtime.  

The DDS student, Ronan, submitted Marcelo Garcia’s top brown belt, Lutes, in EBI rules overtime after escaping Lutes back control in the previous round and electing for the back himself to finish the match.

Ryan Quinn blew through the 4-man 185lb tournament by submitting both of his opponent’s via heel hook in under a minute.

Frank Rosenthal also took home the W in his 145lb title match.

Watch all of the action from RISE 5 right here in the archives soon!