Team Lloyd Irvin Shocks World at Abu Dhabi

Mike Fowler, Lloyd Irvin Black Belt and head instructor of the Guam Academy, got the call early this week and flew in from South Pacific. He would have the toughest road to the finals ever (he would have to defeat Renzo Gracie, Saulo Ribeiro, and Marcelo Garcia just to reach the finals). In the first round, he faced 2X ADCC Champion Renzo Gracie. Fowler pulled guard and pushed hard for sweeps and submissions. Although neither fighter was able to score, the judges awarded Fowler the match based on his aggressiveness.

Renzo Defends Mike Fowler's Umaplata

In the second round, he faced another 2X ADCC Champion in Saulo Ribeiro. Saulo took control of the match early, taking Mike’s back but Mike escaped and eventually caught the 6X World Champion with a toe-hold!

Although Mike would lose to eventual Champion, Marcelo Garcia, his performance was the talk of the Grappling community. Fowler had not even started training Jiu Jitsu when Saulo and Renzo had won their first Abu Dhabi titles!

Lloyd Irvin and Mike Fowler

In the Alternate match for the Absolute division, Ryan Hall, spectator turned competitor, came back from a harrowing Kimura to submit Renzo Gracie black belt Gordinho with a heel hook. Congratulations to Hall who was heavily outweighed!

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