SUBMISSION FIGHTER PUTS ON 18 MATCHES

By Paradis Jolie Fejerang

The stage was set at the UOG Calvo Field House for the mat to come alive as Submission Fighter returned with its second installment, “Legends Never Die,” delivering a night of high-stakes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu action defined by grit, spontaneity, and a deep love for the sport.

Presented by Mamba in the Maze, the invitational event featured 18 submission-only superfights in both gi and no-gi formats. With no points, no draws, and no room for hesitation, each match guaranteed a winner. Competitors battled through a single seven-minute round, with any unresolved bouts pushed into sudden death — a limitless overtime where the first score sealed victory.

While the card was stacked from the onset, the night quickly proved that anything could happen.

One of the most memorable moments came in an impromptu matchup between Sebastian San Gil Riley and Caiden Alferos. With only minutes’ notice, the two young island athletes stepped onto the mat, embodying the very spirit of Submission Fighter. Riley, who had just returned to Guam days prior, wasn’t even scheduled to compete.

“I got back on-island a couple days ago not knowing that there was a Submission Fighter event going on,” Riley said, who quickly decided he would do anything to be able to hop in as soon as he heard about the event. “I had no luck up until 10 minutes prior when [Alferos stated] he wanted to go up against me.”

The bout was as competitive as it was spontaneous, ultimately ending in sudden death with Riley securing the win. Still, he was quick to credit his opponent. “Props to [Alferos]… he’s just like me. He’s game, he just wants to go — and that’s the beauty of this sport.”

That same energy carried through the rest of the evening as supporters continued their cheers when Joshua “Wujitsu” Jerome of Carbs Jiu-Jitsu delivered a late finish against Dan “The Viking” Novatny, locking in a kimura with just 17 seconds remaining. Shortly after, teammate Dennis “Lion Sleeper” Pacheco electrified the crowd with a decisive kneebar submission over Tyrone “Bones” Jones, signaling a shift in intensity as the night moved toward its more seasoned matchups.

Rivalries and familiarity added another layer of intrigue for opponents who are no strangers to each other when it comes to battling it out on the mats as Mike Sanchez of Purebred Origen faced Scotty “DaSlaya” Eclavea. Despite entering with some uncertainty, Sanchez found his rhythm early and carried that confidence into sudden death, where he secured a back take to claim the win.

Long-awaited excitement from the stands proved the reason for anticipation when the heavyweight clash between Javier Mirelez and Roque Martinez had the crowd on edge. After a physically demanding battle, Mirelez nearly clinched victory in overtime before Martinez — living up to his “Champ” nickname — survived enough to reset after fighting near the mat’s edge and was able to capitalize off of that with a guard pass to seal the match.

With the final three matches in sight, the competition escalated and so did the stakes.

Jeff Mesa and Norberto Rosario delivered a technical and high-level contest that showcased contrasting styles — Rosario’s calm, calculated guard play against Mesa’s high-energy MMA background. The match extended into sudden death, where Mesa secured a takedown to earn the victory.

“It was an overtime win…Norberto Rosario is good at jiu-jitsu — he’s been competing for a long time — and we grinded it out,” Mesa said. “I wanted a finish…but he was a tough opponent so I had to grit that one out.”

Mesa also emphasized the format’s appeal. “Submission Fighter is great — there’s a great turnout…I feel like this style of grappling is more suited to my style of jiu-jitsu.”

Momentum continued to build as Ricky “2Slick” Camp edged out Peter Benavente in sudden death with a clean pass, setting the stage for the highly anticipated main event.

Japan’s Shuto Watanabe of Fight Lynx JP made the journey to Guam to face hometown standout Joseph “Seay” Camacho of both Studio 22 MMA and Legacy LLC. In a decisive finish, Watanabe secured a rear naked choke, silencing the crowd and cementing his victory on foreign soil.

After the match, Watanabe reflected not just on the win, but on the experience itself. He shared his excitement to participate as well as overall love for Guam. Watanabe let’s himself be an example of just being on the island and getting to compete being a desired experience for athletes such as himself.

Beyond the results, Submission Fighter 2 represented growth, passion, and community. From last-minute matchups to an international athlete making the trip for a main event, the event highlighted Guam’s rapidly expanding grappling scene and the athletes who are eager to represent it.

With increased participation, rising talent, and an undeniable hunger to compete, one thing is clear: Submission Fighter is building something special on the island — and if “Legends Never Die” is any indication, the future of the sport in Guam is only getting stronger.

Final Results

Sebastian San Gil Riley (Studio 22 MMA) Sudden Death win over Caiden Alferos (Figo’/Bonsai)

Matthias Camacho (Carslon Gracie) submits Gregory Schacher Jr. (Carbs Jiu-Jitsu) via inside heel hook

Ethan Ray Paulino (GU MA) Sudden Death win via takedown over John Tenorio (Carlson Gracie) 

Talon Perez (Carbs Jiu-Jitsu) submits Sean Santos via ankle lock

Landon Taitingfong (Studio 22 MMA) Sudden Death win via takedown over Jasper Alpet (GU MA)

Bobby Hibbs (Studio 22 MMA) submits Corey Cabales (Figo’/Bonsai) head & arm choke

Gabe Paulino (GU MA) win by disqualification against Sage Garcia (Figo’/Bonsai)

Jade Blas (Carbs Jiu-Jitsu) submits Rayden Templanza (Steel Athletics/Machado) via triangle choke

Curtiss Aflleje (Vida/Porrada) submits Kristopher Conlu (Purebred Origen) via RNC

Ken ‘Fully Armed’ Diesel (Steel Athletics/Machado) submits Mauiti ‘Maui Wowie’ Miagoux (Carbs Jiu-Jitsu) via triangle choke

Jarome ‘Kingrome’ Cruz Sudden Death win via takedown over Gionn ‘The Doctor’ Buenavanides

Kelvin ‘The Big Hit’ Fitial (ISC Guam) Sudden Death win via guard pass over Gregory Schacher (Carbs Jiu-Jitsu)

Dennis ‘Lion Sleeper’ Pacheco (Carbs Jiu-Jitsu) submits Tyrone ‘Bones’ Jones (Vida/Porrada) via kneebar

Joshua ‘Wujitsu’ Jerome (Carbs Jiu-Jitsu) submits Dan ‘The Viking’ Novotiny (Heights Academy) via kimura

Mike Sanchez (Purebred Origen) Sudden Death win via back take over Scotty ‘DaSlaya’ Eclavea (Vida/Porrada)

Roque ‘Champ’ Martinez (RM Sports) Sudden Death win via guard pass over Javier Mirelez (JC School of Jiu-Jitsu)

Jeff Mesa (Heights Academy/Studio 22 MMA) Sudden Death win via takedown over Norberto Rosario (Figo’/Bonsai)

Ricky ‘2Slick’ Camp (Studio 22 MMA) Sudden Death win via Pass over Peter Benavente (Vida/Porrada)

Shuto Watanabe (Fight Lynx JP) submits Joseph ‘Seay’ Camacho (Studio 22/Legacy LLC) via RNC

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