Meet the Four Bantamweight Qualifiers Set to Battle in Orlando
Meet the Four Bantamweight Qualifiers Set to Battle in Orlando
The four bantamweight qualifiers are set for July 4th in Orlando when KASAI takes it's show on the road again.
The four bantamweight qualifiers are set for July 4th in Orlando when KASAI takes it's show on the road again for another card loaded with the best jiu-jitsu athletes in the world.
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Over the last month KASAI has been scouring the United States for the next big bantamweight star. The NY based promotion held four different qualifiers throughout the US in Texas, New York, Orlando and San Diego and crowned four winners.
The winners of each region win an all-expenses paid trip to compete in semi-final and final matches on the big stage. The Pro Qualifier Champion will be granted the eighth spot at the KASAI Pro 6 World Bantamweight Championship Tournament on August 17th in Atlantic City, NJ.
So who are the winners?
Junny Ocasio
Perhaps the most established grappler to make the cut, Ocasio is a brown belt under Murilo Santana and is a KASAI veteran. He competed in the lightweight tournament at KASAI Pro 1 and although he didn't win he proved that his name belongs in the mix with exciting matches against Gianni Grippo and Enrico Cocco.
Junny won the qualifier in Texas and I expect he'll be even more competitive at his natural weight of bantamweight.
Spencer Mumme
A combat jiu-jitsu veteran, Spencer Mumme, is one of the best grapplers coming out of the mid-west area. This brown belt from Minneapolis won the qualifier in Orlando after winning his first two matches by submission and a third on points.
David Weintraub
A bit of a dark horse, David Weintraub is a brown belt from Vitor Shaolin BJJ in New York, an established MMA fighter and more recently a very active grappler.
David won the qualifier in New York beating out the likes of KASAI Pro veterans Rey De Leon and Tony Bergamo to earn his spot in Orlando. A
Richard Alacorn
The lone black belt to win the qualifiers, Richard Alacorn has had a breakout year! Alacorn turned heads at ADCC Tirals this year after capturing bronze at what was undoubtedly one of the most stacked tournaments ever assembled. From there he won the Combat Jiu-Jitsu World Bantamweight championship and solidified his spot as a submission hunter on the rise.
Alacorn won the qualifier in Texas and will be a tough match for anyone.
The four qualified winners will battle it out at KASAI Super Series Orlando on July 4th to determine who will receive the Golden Ticket into the final slot at KASAI Pro 6’s World KASAI Bantamweight Championship Tournament on August 17th in Atlantic City
The Golden Ticket winner at KASAI Super Series Orlando will join the likes of Joao Miyao, Geo Martinez, Ashley Williams and Jon Calestine for the KASAI World Bantamweight Championship Tournament.