By TXMMA Staff
Roster starting to fill up for first Texas IBJJF tournament of the year; Matchups to watch
HOUSTON, TX, February 9, 2014 – The latest rendition of the IBJJF Houston International Open IBJJF Championship (IBJJF Houston Open) is a mere two weeks away with one of the biggest annual tournaments of the year happening as usual at the Jerabeck Activity and Athletic Center (U. of St. Thomas) in the Montrose district near downtown Houston. It will be a two day tournament again this year will all the action taking place on February 22-23.
It looks like its par for the course this year with some of the top competitors from around the state and nation registering late for this one but the confirmed list for the IBJJF Houston Open already boasts some interesting matchups with plenty more no doubt on the day.
Here are some matches we’re looking forward to based on what we are seeing on the 2014 IBJJF Houston Open registration list as of today:
Competitors to watch at the 2014 IBJJF Houston Open
Black Belt matchups to watch at 2014 IBJJF Houston Open
- Chad Robichaux (GB Magnolia) vs. Noah Booth (Big Brothers)
- Rattinho Eliaquim (GB San Antonio) vs. Rafael Dailinha (BJJ Revolution)
- Jason Soliz (Octagon/TX3C) vs. Josh Mancuso (BJJ Revolution)
Registered and opponents in their division: Julian Vega (Elite MMA), Gustavo Carpio (Marra Senki). Rodrigo Thiago de Souza (Alliance), Alan Shebaro (Tier-1), Josh Lauber (Relson Gracie), James Puopolo (Lovato)
Brown Belt matchups to watch at 2014 IBJJF Houston Open
- Trey Reyes (BJJ Revolution) vs. Jeff Hammond (Relson Gracie)
- Robert Dembeck (Paragon) vs. Talal Alrasheed (Yamasaki)
- Shiloh Roberts (Lovato) vs. Adam Dunkel (Ralph Gracie)
- Drew Lockwood (Gracie Elite) vs. Jose Portillo (Paragon)
- Samuel Snow (Alliance) vs. Luan Carvalho (Nova Uniao)
Registered and opponents in their division: Kristine Felts (Peak Performance), Brandon Cunningham (Gracie Elite), Rashad Salahuddin (Bruno Bastos), Kham Ngondara (SAS)
Purple Belt matchups to watch at 2014 IBJJF Houston Open
- Robert Crosley (Alvarez) vs. Dave Smith (GFT)
- Danielle Alvarez (Bruno Bastos) vs. Jessica Dobbs (Killer Bees)
- Ryne Sandhagen (Alvarez BJJ) vs. Dallas Niles (Lovato)
- Kevin Cordova (GB Texas) vs. Matthew Fox (GFT)
- Pedro Migliano (Gracie Elite) vs. field at adult middle heavy
- Bryan Landin (Bruno Bastos) vs. Jonathan Bond (South BJJ)
- Cooper Cardinale (Alvarez BJJ) vs. Ralph Sebexen (SMAA)
- Brandon Russell (Lovato) vs. field at adult male light
- The entire division at adult male feather
- Jordan Burton (GB Texas) vs. Cruz Ybarra (Soul Fighters)
Registered and opponents in their division: Loronz Marion (Octagon MMA)
Blue Belts to watch at 2014 IBJJF Houston Open
- Jarrod Trotter (Nova Uniao, light feather)
- Matthew Kim (BJJ Revolution, feather)
- Hai Nguyen (BJJ Revolution, light)
- Andy Cordova (GB Texas, light)
- Dennis Sisson (SMAA, heavy)
- Deshawn Chenault (Lovato, Ultra Heavy)
- Jennifer Perez (Easton BJJ, light father)
- Madison Noel (Lovato, light)
- Jessica Guedry (BJJ Revolution, medium heavy)
- Petya Bastos (Bruno Bastos, medium heavy)
- Shawn Coughlin (Bruno Bastos, masters light feather)
- Jasmine Choksi (Alliance, master light feather)
- Laura Heiman (Paragon, master light)
IBJJF Houston Open – Photos from last year and this year’s coverage
As usual we’ll be on the mats all day on both days this year for the 2014 IBJJF Houston Open. Also, Mike Calimbas Photography is offering some dedicated coverage options for anybody that is interested in some guaranteed professional quality shots of their matches so send a message on Facebook if you’re interested. Now in preparation for this year’s tournament, here are some shots from last year:
This is all we have for now but rest assured that some other big names should be registering for the 2014 IBJJF Houston Open as the registration period winds down so be on the lookout here at TXMMA.com for updates as the event nears!
