Ryan Aitken Storms Through SOS VIII; 3 Regulation Submissions For $5k Prize
Ryan Aitken Storms Through SOS VIII; 3 Regulation Submissions For $5k Prize
Aitken hit three submission in regulation and one submission in overtime, a breakout performance for the middleweight out of 10th Planet Atlanta.
In the eighth edition of Submission Only Series, Ryan Aitken of 10th Planet Atlanta tore through a tough 16-man bracket to take home the $5,000 grand prize. A Combat Jiu-Jitsu World Champion, Aitken impressively submitted all four of his opponents, including an ADCC veteran. While Aitken no doubt stole the show, Derek Rayfield and Kenta Iwamoto also displayed impressive submission skills, Rayfield finding a Dead Orchard finish in the opening round.
Coming out guns blazing, Aitken found a quick rear naked choke submission over Fedor Nikolov. Aitken pulled guard and swept to begin, controlling the tempo from start to finish. Meeting ADCC West Coast Trials 3rd Place Mike Crisp in the quarterfinals, Aitken again elected to pull guard, eventually finding a heel hook finish after defending a bevy of straight ankle lock attempts from Crisp.
In the semifinals, Aitken again found himself in a leglock battle—this time against the crafty Chris Wojcik. Remaining calm and collected as he fought off Wojcik’s attempts to enter the saddle position, Aitken found his second conseutive heel hook submission and advanced to the finals where he clashed with ADCC veteran Kenta Iwamoto.
Iwamoto earned his spot in the finals after defeating Bogdin Esin, Forrest Fraijo, and Derek Rayfield. Scoring submissions over Esin in regulation and Fraijo in overtime, Iwamoto was taken to the brink by Rayfield, but ultimately his escape time proved to be the deciding factor in the third overtime.
Aitken and Iwamoto had a fantastic bout, neither able to break through and find the finish, despite both being able to find themselves in dominant positioning at various points. While overtime was favorable to Iwamoto in the previous rounds, it was Aitken who prevailed. Submitting Iwamoto with a rear naked choke then managing an escape from the armbar spiderweb position, Aitken was crowned Submission Only Series VII Middleweight Champion and awarded the $5,000 cash prize.
In addition to the middleweight pro bracket, there was one qualifying bout and five superfights. For the full results of the SOS VII card, check below:
Full Results
Middleweight Bracket Qualifier: Fedor Nikolov vs Dylan Melton
Nikolov via armbar
Superfight: Taylor Alfaro vs. Thien Luu
Luu via armbar 2OT
Superfight: Arman Fathi vs Gil Galindo
Fathi via calf crusher
Superfight: Albert Morales vs. Jeff Willingham
Morales via arm triangle
Superfight: Jessica Sanchez vs. Dawna Gonzales
Sanchez via armbar
Superfight: Oscar de los Santos vs. Michael John
De los Santos via triangle choke from back OT
Middleweight Bracket:
Round of 16
Mike Crisp vs. Gabriel De Los Santos
Crisp via RNC OT
Derek Rayfield vs. Ari Goldman
Rayfield via dead orchard
Saul Viyara vs. Bobby Winther
Winther via arm-in guillotine
Ryan Aitken vs. Fedor Nikolov
Aitken via RNC
Chris Wojcik vs. Joshua Squires
Wojcik via Aoki lock
Mike Flach vs. Jhonny Loureiro
Loureiro via triangle choke
Forrest Fraijo vs. Matt Cox
Fraijo via triangle choke
Kenta Iwamoto vs. Bogdin Esin
Iwamoto via triangle choke
Quarterfinals
Crisp vs. Aitken
Aitken via heel hook
Wojcik vs. Winther
Wojcik via heel hook
Rayfield vs. Loureiro
Rayfield via armbar
Iwamoto vs. Fraijo
Iwamoto via RNC OT
Semifinals
Wojcik vs. Aitken
Aitken via heel hook
Rayfield vs. Iwamoto
Iwamoto via 3OT ride time
Finals
Aitken vs. Iwamoto
Aitken via RNC OT