Fight 2 Win 123 is a clash of styles, weight classes, and ADCC rookies hungry to make their mark. 

Topping the card is a 185lb no-gi main event between Gabriel Arges (Gracie Barra) and Dante Leon (GF Team) on Friday, August 30, in Sacramento, California.

It's well known by now that F2W founder Seth Daniels has been making a point to bring ADCC contenders to the Fight 2 Win stage before they battle it out at arguably the most prestigious grappling event in the world in just a few weeks. Gabriel Arges was invited to the -88kg division, while Dante Leon was invited to the -77kg division. Both men will be making their ADCC debut this year, and their superfight this Saturday will give us some insight into the momentum of their progress.

Arges is coming off a hot year. He’s transparent in the fact that he lost some motivation and desire to compete. But in June when he earned his third IBJJF World title it was clear the flame had been reignited. Arges is best known for his accomplishments in the gi, but he says since Worlds he has been zoned in on ADCC prep, alongside his killer teammates including ADCC contender Edwin Najmi, former ADCC champ Romulo Barral, and current ADCC open weight champion Felipe Pena. An inspired Arges, alongside that grappling monster squad, hungry to showcase his hard work is a dangerous combo, for sure. This will be the first test of his no-gi since a superfight with Craig Jones in March, and it will be no easy feat against no-gi submission specialist Dante Leon.

No. 3-ranked grappling sensation Dante Leon has developed into one of the most enthralling no-gi grapplers to watch, landing an ADCC invite and maintaining an impressive 70-percent submission-win rate. Win or lose, his matches never disappoint. He burst onto the radar after winning Worlds at brown belt, but since then he has only gained momentum and confidence. 

Where did it come from? He says authenticity is what changed the game. As evidenced in all of his performances, he is always experimenting and trying new things to create his own game and style. He says that being true to himself has made the difference. We never see the same fighter with Dante, always an evolved athlete. The weight disadvantage is of no concern, he believes in his camp and in his game. He’s going into his ADCC debut as one of the most highly anticipated “dark horse” of the 77kg division.

Between the sneaky submissions game of Arges and the unpredictable showmanship of Leon, we have two athletes who have come into their own in the last year. This match is exactly what we want to see.

The card also features more GF team beasts alongside Leon. In a featherweight gi match Jose Carlo Lima (GF Team) will take on Samir Chantre (Ares) for the black belt F2W featherweight title. The super heavyweight will also duke it out in a match between Felipe Bezerra (Checkmat) and frequent F2W athlete, Max Gimenis (GF Team).