MMA's Full 38' 10.31.07: Grappling Tournaments For Families and Babalu
Posted by Sid Needelman on 10.31.2007
NAGA's Tournaments bring together child athletes, Ultimate Fighting reality stars, female BodogFight'ers, UFC Outcasts & both local and national greats. Find out how Babalu and others did...
On October 20th, 2007 in northern Miami, hundreds of competitors gathered to test out their skills against each other. Competitors came in all shapes and sizes. They were broken down in both gi and no-gi brackets, by skill, sex, weight and age. When most MMA fights end up on the ground, a solid ground game is crucial to success and many fighters start their journey to stardom at tournaments like these, or for well known competitors like The Ultimate Fighter's Cole Miller, they come to keep their skills sharp.
This North American Grappling Association tournament, or NAGA for short, had a great tournaments for participants, family and friends to watch, and also two superfights.
Neither of the Superfights went as planned, but still offered something a little extra to watch and give a little more to brag about when you say you participated in an event on the same mats as Babalu Sobral. Babalu, the very one who was the recent headline grabber for holding onto a choke too long while a UFC official tried to pry him off, was going to face American Top Team's Jorge Santiago. Santiago however, was not the fighter to end up opposite Babalu though.
To fill in for Jorge, fellow American Top Team member, Carmelo Marrero, grabbed the opportunity for the chance to take down MMA's recent "bad guy." Carmelo had some disappointment in his last two fight, especially because they came after his last win to date. That win was over Cheick Kongo, the hard hitting striker who just beat Cro-Cop.
The superfight started after a great migration of people surrounded matt that would attempt to hold this battle. The match began very evenly as they both took a moment to feel each other out. At some points the two, Babalu and Carmelo, fell into the crowd, giving to at least one mma.tv web-blogger bragging rights because they fell on his son. The match was close at a score of 4-2 in favor of Babalu, but many people there, especially in Carmelo's camp scored it even at 4-4. Points being decided by takedowns, gaining advantageous positions and other concepts described on the NAGA homepage rule book.
Their rules are very solid and NAGA stands as the most prestigious grappling tournament besides ADCC. So to compete, and to win for them is a big deal. But like mentioned, rules are rules and when the athletic commission called Hermes Franca just days before his superfight planned for the same day, he was told he could not participate.
Babalu was far from the only big name in attendance at NAGA Miami '07. Chainsaw Charles McCarthy, was there to support his teammate Carmelo in the superfight, and also his fellow training partner, the Ultimate Fighter star, Cole Miller. Cole participated in the regular brackets in the 160 lbs. expert division and took home first place. Other American Top Team notables included: BodogFight star Jessica Aguilar who earned the first place belt and pictured below, and there to coach, Marcos "Parrumpinha" Da Matta, who is looking for his fourth straight MMA victory coming up soon. Also there to help guide his students was the former BTT, now ATT member, Rafael Dias.
Other teams were well represented as well. The Avellan's Freestyle Fight Academy was there, as well as a few representatives from Gracie Barra Team. But to focus on the nationally recognized MMA fighters, or the teams they come from, would be to miss the big focus of these events. These grappling tournaments are what people look forward to after months of training. Some actually years and some only weeks. There were novices there, and children who gave their opponents a run for their money. Also, the old competitor that day, took home what I believe to be the first place in his division. There were also some great females competing. From some talented teenagers, to Pro MMA stars, and all put on performances as good as their male counterparts, which is no surprise to most people who have been to the events. Often it's the most unlikely of competitors, like those in the children's division, who are the most rough. They matches do not get out of hand though, Kipp, the president of NAGA, makes sure he and his staff watch over especially well, the kids divisions. They constantly reassure parents, safety over submission escapes, and good experiences for all over "sandbagging," where a competitor fights at a lower skill level in order to be assured victory.
Check NAGA's website for upcoming events, or seach for any grappling event in your area, its a fun day and a good way to support the future of MMA talent.
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And for those of you wondering what is MMA's Full 38' It means: an octagon is 30 ft across with 4 feet extra on each side, for cornermen, doctors and camera crew. To know MMA, sometimes one needs to make sure they cover some of the lesser know aspects of it, and 38' represents a number a lot of hardcore fans would not recognize. But be warned, do not try to set up an arena without knowing how big the octagon really is, or there will be problems.
Sid Needelman
