In this iteration of added attractions, the upcoming tournament will feature four top brown and black belt competitors in the lighter weight classes in Igor Santos vs. Alejando Siqueira and Brandon Mullins taking on Spenser Gilliam. Also featured is top heavyweight and experienced wrestler Jeremy Loflin taking on one of the area’s busiest competitors in Raul “Gaucho” Jimenez. The superfight series is rounded off with a pair of teens facing off as Hector Silva takes on Matthew Kim.
Let’s take a quick look at the matchups featuring area black belts in further detail.
Brown / Black Belt Superfights for the 2011 Texas International Grappling Festival
Igor Santos (GF Team / Paradigm) versus Alejandro Siqueira (Gracie Barra) – Black Belt GI Match
One of the main BJJ instructors at Paradigm Training Center along with Renan Chavez, Igor Santos began training BJJ in 1988 when he was just 7 years old. His BJJ lineage is through Universidade Gama Filho, otherwise known as GF Team, which has notably produced 2011 Pan-Am Absolute title winner Rodolfo Viera, Denilson Pimenta, and many others. Santos’ own accolates include over 70 titles in his career including the Rio State Championship 6 times and the Brazil National Title 5 times as well. Igor is known for his open guard game and has recently done well competing at the Houston IBJJF tourney amongst other events.
Video of Igor Santos at the IBJJF Houston Open against heavyweight, “Jacare” Almeida – here.
Training out of the stacked Gracie Barra team, Alejandro Siqueira is also a world champion and has claimed the title of Brazilian national champion 7-times to go along with three NAGA titles. Training with such athletes as Chad Robo and Draculinho Magalhaes amongst others, Siqueira is best known in the Houston area for winning at competitions like the IBJJF (Black Belt Masters) and the 2009 Atama Open, where he won the black belt division as well.
2010 Houston International Grappling Festival Superfight between Spenser Gilliam and Alejandro Siqueria – here
Brandon Mullins (Gracie Barra) versus Spenser Gilliam (Solis Martial Arts) – Brown/Black Belt NO GI Match
One of the main instructors at Gracie Barra Texas under Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhaes,Brandon Mullins has been one of the top roosterweights in the world in recent years. Known as “Wolverine.” Mullins has claimed mulitple world medals at all levels, highlighted by a Pan Am No-Gi Gold and also a World No-Gi Gold at the black belt level in 2008 & 2009. Locally, he has also been a 2x FTW advanced division champion and has won at the Battle of H-Town 3x as well.
Brandon Mullins versus Joseph Capizzi at the 2010 No Gi Words – here
A brown belt student under Alvis Solis, Spenser Gilliam has been competing for many years, most recently taking part in the 2011 Pan Ams along with his instructor. Gilliam also makes the rounds statewide and can be seen at most local tournaments. Most recently, he has won 1st place at the IBJJF Houston International Open.
Spenser Gilliam versus Juan Tatum at the IBJJF Houston International Open 2011 – here.
Additional Superfights for the 2011 Texas International Grappling Festival
Jeremy Loflin (Paul Thomas BJJ) versus Raul Jimenez (Gold Team) – Brown Belt GI Match
This should be an interesting one to watch between two gargantuan competitors. Jeremy Loflin, a long-time wrestler and coach will be matching up against Raul Jimenez, a strong BJJ fighter who loves to compete and always puts it on the line.
Hector Silva (Paradigm) versus Matthew Kim (Paul Thomas BJJ) – Teen NO GI Match
This will be a battle of two up-and-coming teens from the Houston area as Hector Silva, otherwise known as “Winner by Vomit” due to letting it go after giving too much of his all on the mats after eating sushi (never a good idea), takes on Matthew Kim, another of Paul Thomas’ long-line of developing prodigies.
Grapplers interested in signing up to compete at this event can do so for early registration prices for just a few more days. Visit the event website for more detail.