Polaris Pro Grappling

Polaris Pro Grappling is Europe's longest running large-scale professional grappling event.[1] As of November 2019 Polaris has organized 12 events featuring both Gi and Nogi matches all of which have been held in the UK. Polaris has attracted some of the biggest names from Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Grappling and Mixed Martial Arts including Keenan Cornelius, Michelle Nicolini, Brad Pickett, Rousimar Palhares, Dean Lister, Masakazu Imanari, Ikuhisa Minowa, Vítor Ribeiro, Fernando Terere, Caol Uno, former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Jake Shields and former UFC Lightweight Champion and WEC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson. Former UFC Welterweight competitor. Dan Hardy and UFC referee Marc Goddard are listed as event judges.[1]

Polaris Pro Grappling

Type	Private
Industry	Grappling promotion Tournament Competition
Founded	2015
Founders	Matthew Benyon, Ben Tong, Gareth Dummer, Lee Jones
Headquarters	Bournemouth , England, UK
Key people	Matthew Benyon, Ben Tong, Gareth Dummer, Lee Jones, Sophie Hudson, Michael Steven
Website	polarisprograppling.com

Polaris have received positive feedback in the Jiu-Jitsu press for the high quality of their events and the talent they have been able to attract to compete.[2] They have also been praised for their treatment of the athletes competing as well as the diversity of styles and match ups they have been able to put together.[3] This culminated in Polaris winning the title of "Promotion of the year" at the Jitsmagazine BJJ Awards 2020, beating out stiff competition.[4]

Polaris main bouts are 15 minutes in duration with preliminary bouts lasting 10 minutes. Matches are not points based with competitors able to win either via submission or judges decision.[5]

Current Polaris Title Holders

Division	Champion
Ladies Under 55 KG (121)	Ffion Davies
Featherweight (145)	Nicky Ryan
Lightweight (155)	Ashley Williams
Welterweight (170)	Mansher Khera
Middleweight (185)	Craig Jones
Light Heavyweight (205)	Craig Jones

Polaris 1

Polaris 1
Information
Promotion	Polaris Pro Grappling
Date	January 10, 2015
Venue	Ice Arena Wales
City	Cardiff, Wales

Polaris 1 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on January 10, 2015 at the Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff, Wales.

Results

Main Card
Weight class				Method	Round	Time	Notes
Absolute	Keenan Cornelius	def.	Dean Lister	Submission (reverse triangle)
77kg	Garry Tonon	def.	Marcin Held	Submission (heel hook)
90kg	Pablo Popovitch	draw.	Eduardo Rios
82kg	Eduardo Telles	draw.	Mike Fowler
79kg	AJ Agazarm	def.	Oliver Geddes	Submission (triangle choke)
68kg	Michelle Nicolini	def.	Angelica Galvao	Submission (toe hold)
90kg	Kit Dale	draw.	Victor Silverio
90kg	Darragh O'Conaill	draw.	Max Campos

[6]

Polaris 2

Polaris 2
Information
Promotion	Polaris Pro Grappling
Date	September 12, 2015
Venue	Ice Arena Wales
City	Cardiff, Wales

Polaris 2 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on September 12, 2015 at the Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff, Wales.

Results

Main Card
Weight class				Method	Round	Time	Notes
68kg	Garry Tonon	def.	Masakazu Imanari	Submission (heel hook)
55kg	Gezary Matuda	def.	Michelle Nicolini	Submission (armbar)
90kg	AJ Agazarm	draw.	Daniel Strauss
70kg	Eddie Cummings	def.	Reilly Bodycomb	Inside Heelhook
68kg	Gianni Grippo	def.	Tom Barlow	Submission (heel hook)
75kg	Vítor Ribeiro	def.	Nakamura Daisuke	Submission (choke)
70kg	Robson Moura	draw.	Baret Yoshida
82kg	Luca Anacoreta	def.	Pedro Bessa	Submission (triangle choke)

[7]

Polaris 3

Polaris 3
Information
Promotion	Polaris Pro Grappling
Date	April 2, 2016
Venue	Lighthouse
City	Poole, England

Polaris 3 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on April 2, 2016 at the Lighthouse in Poole, England.

Results

Main Card
Weight class				Method	Round	Time	Notes
83kg	Garry Tonon	draw.	Rousimar Palhares
80.5kg	AJ Agazarm	draw.	Jake Shields
70kg	Eddie Cummings	draw.	Augusto Mendes
68kg	Bruno Frazatto	draw.	Gianni Grippo
53.5kg	Gezary Matuda	draw.	Laurence Fouillat
81kg	Jonathon Satava	draw.	Darragh O'Conaill
68kg	Geo Martinez	draw.	Luiz Tosta
64kg	Joao Miyao	draw.	Yukinori Sasa

[8]

Polaris 4

Polaris 4
Information
Promotion	Polaris Pro Grappling
Date	October 29, 2016
Venue	Lighthouse
City	Poole, England

Polaris 4 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on October 29, 2016 at the Lighthouse in Poole, England.

Results

Polaris 4
Weight Class				Method	Round	Time	Notes
Catchweight 82 kg	Fernando Terere	def.	Vítor Ribeiro	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00	GI
Catchweight 77 kg	Garry Tonon	def.	Gilbert Burns	Submission (Heel Hook)	1	9:26	NO-GI
Catchweight 80 kg	AJ Agazarm	def.	Ikuhisa Minowa	Submission (Triangle Choke)	1	5:11	NO-GI
Catchweight 90 kg	Dilon Danis	def.	Jackson Sousa	Submission (Heel Hook)	1	8:32	NO-GI
Catchweight 68 kg	Nathan Orchard	def.	Masakazu Imanari	Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)	1	5:51	NO-GI
Catchweight 84 kg	Charles Negromonte	def.	Eduardo Rios	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00	NO-GI
Ladies Absolute	Dominyka Obelenyte	def.	Yasmine Wilson	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00	GI
Absolute	Tom Breese	def.	Ben Dyson	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00	NO-GI

[9]

Polaris 5

Polaris 5
Information
Promotion	Polaris Pro Grappling
Date	August 19, 2017
Venue	Indigo at The O2
City	London, England

Polaris 5 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on August 19, 2017 at the Indigo at The O2 in London, England.

Results

Polaris 5
Weight Class				Method	Round	Time	Notes
Catchweight 78 kg	Garry Tonon	def.	Dillon Danis	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00	NO-GI
Catchweight 90 kg	Jake Shields	def.	Daniel Strauss	Decision (Majority)	1	15:00	NO-GI
Catchweight 66 kg	Phil Harris	def.	Brad Pickett	Decision (Split)	1	15:00	NO-GI
Catchweight 72.7 kg	Vítor Ribeiro	def.	Caol Uno	Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)	1	7:26	NO-GI
Catchweight 78 kg	AJ Agazarm	def.	Lloyd Cooper	Submission (Bow & Arrow Choke)	1	6:00	GI
Catchweight 76 kg	Oliver Taza	def.	Ross Nicholls	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00	NO-GI
Catchweight 64 kg	Samantha Cook	def.	Vanessa English	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00	GI
Catchweight 83 kg	Bradley Hill	def.	Tommi Pulkkanen	Decision (Split)	1	15:00	NO-GI

[10]

Polaris 6

Polaris 6
Information
Promotion	Polaris Pro Grappling
Date	February 17, 2018
Venue	Indigo at The O2
City	London, England

Polaris 6 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on February 17, 2018 at the Indigo at The O2 in London, England.

Results

Polaris 6
Weight Class					Method	Round	Time	Notes
Middleweight 83.9 kg	NO-GI	Craig Jones	def.	Jake Shields	Submission (Heel Hook)	1	1:04	For inaugural the Polaris Middleweight Championship
Catchweight 80 kg	NO-GI	Benson Henderson	def.	AJ Agazarm	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00
Ladies Under 55 kg	NO-GI	Gezary Matuda	def.	Serena Gabrielli	Submission (Ankle Lock)	1	2:43
Welterweight 77.1 kg	NO-GI	Marcin Held	def.	Chris Fishgold	Submission (Armbar)	1	1:38
Catchweight 72 kg	NO-GI	Marco Cahna	def.	Ash Grimshaw	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00
Ladies Under 55 kg	NO-GI	Ffion Davies	def.	Chelsea Leah	Submission (Armbar)	1	5:45

[11]

Polaris 7

Polaris 7
Information
Promotion	Polaris Pro Grappling
Date	July 14, 2018
Venue	Indigo at The O2
City	London, England

Polaris 7 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on July 14, 2018 at the Indigo at The O2 in London, England.

Results

Polaris 7
Weight Class					Method	Round	Time	Notes
Catchweight 85 kg	NO-GI	Gilbert Burns	def.	Gregor Gracie	Injury (Shoulder)	1	13:12
Welterweight 77.1 kg	NO-GI	Oliver Taza	def.	Lachlan Giles	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00
Featherweight 65.8 kg	NO-GI	Nicky Ryan	def.	Phil Harris	Submission (Armbar)	1	6:48
Featherweight 65.8 kg	NO-GI	Ashley Williams	def.	Masakazu Imanari	Decision (Split)	1	15:00
Welterweight 77.1 kg	NO-GI	Ross Nicholls	def.	Nathan Orchard	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00
Ladies Over 55 kg	NO-GI	Venla Luukkonen	def.	Samantha Cook	Decision (Split)	1	15:00

[12]

Polaris 8

Polaris 8
Information
Promotion	Polaris Pro Grappling
Date	December 9, 2018
Venue	Ice Arena Wales
City	Cardiff, Wales

Polaris 8 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on December 9, 2018 at the Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff, Wales.

Background

The event was the third the Polaris has hosted at the Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff, Wales and the first since Polaris 2.

This event featured three world title fights. The card was headlined by the current Polaris middleweight Champion Craig Jones and the former IBJJF champion Keenan Cornelius in a match to crown the inaugural Polaris Light Heavyweight Champion. It was a rematch from their fight at ADCC 2017, which Cornelius had won.

Results

Polaris 8
Weight Class					Method	Round	Time	Notes
Light Heavyweight 93 kg	NO-GI	Craig Jones	def.	Keenan Cornelius	Decision (Split)	1	15:00	For the inaugural Polaris Light Heavyweight Championship
Welterweight 77.1 kg	NO-GI	Vagner Rocha	def.	Benson Henderson	Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)	1	14:30
Welterweight 77.1 kg	NO-GI	Mansher Khera	def.	Lachlan Giles	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00	For the inaugural Polaris Welterweight Championship
Absolute	NO-GI	Dan Strauss	def.	Satoshi Ishii	Decision (Split)	1	15:00
Featherweight 65.8 kg	NO-GI	Nicky Ryan	def.	Masakazu Imanari	Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)	1	13:11	For the inaugural Polaris Featherweight Championship
Catchweight 80 kg	GI	Santeri Lilius	def.	Pedro Bessa	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00

[13]

Polaris 9

Polaris 9
Information
Promotion	Polaris Pro Grappling
Date	March 15, 2019
Venue	Indigo at The O2
City	London, England

Polaris 9 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on March 15, 2019 at the Indigo at The O2 in London, England.

Background

The event was the fourth the Polaris has hosted at the Indigo at The O2 in London, England. The card was headlined by a catchweight superfight between the multiple-time MMA champion Jake Shields and future Bellator MMA Middleweight Champion and grappling champion Rafael Lovato Jr.[14][15]

In the co-featured slot, for inaugural the Polaris Ladies Under 55KG Championship a bout between IBJJF(2018) champion Ffion Davies and IBJJF(2013/2014/2016) champion Gezary Matuda took place.[16]

Bonus awards

The following fighters were awarded bonuses:

• Performance of the Night: Ffion Davies
• Submission of the Night: Ethan Crelinsten

Results

Polaris 9
Weight Class					Method	Round	Time	Notes
Catchweight 90.7 kg	NO-GI	Rafael Lovato Jr.	def.	Jake Shields	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00
Ladies Under 55 kg	NO-GI	Ffion Davies	def.	Gezary Matuda	Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)	1	2:26	For the inaugural Polaris Ladies Under 55 KG Championship
Welterweight 77.1 kg	NO-GI	Vagner Rocha	def.	Ross Nicholls	Decision (Split)	1	15:00
Lightweight 70.3 kg	NO-GI	Ethan Crelinsten	def.	Thomas Halpin	Submission (Armbar)	1	8:48
Middleweight 83.9 kg	NO-GI	Mike Perez	def.	Darragh O'Conaill	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00
Middleweight 83.9 kg	GI	Eduardo Rios	def.	Santeri Lilius	Decision (Split)	1	15:00

[17]

Polaris 10

Polaris 10
Information
Promotion	Polaris Pro Grappling
Date	May 25, 2019
Venue	Lighthouse
City	Poole, England

Polaris 10 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on May 25, 2019 at the Lighthouse in Poole, England.

Background

Brad Pickett was scheduled to face Caol Uno at Polaris 10, but Pickett was forced off the card on March 12 with an injury. Leigh Remedios has stepped in on short notice to face Uno.

Results

Polaris 10
Weight Class					Method	Round	Time	Notes
Featherweight 65.8 kg	NO-GI	Nicky Ryan (c)	def.	Urijah Faber	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00	For the Polaris Featherweight Championship
Middleweight 83.9 kg	NO-GI	Craig Jones (c)	def.	Matheus Lutes	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00	For the Polaris Middleweight Championship
Lightweight 70.3 kg	NO-GI	Ashley Williams	def.	Ethan Crelinsten	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00	For the inaugural Polaris Lightweight Championship
Lightweight 70.3 kg	NO-GI	Caol Uno	def.	Leigh Remedios	Submission (Keylock)	1	5:10
Middleweight 83.9 kg	NO-GI	Richie Martinez	def.	Miha Perhavec	Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)	1	0:53
Catchweight 105 kg	NO-GI	Nick Rodriguez	def.	Ashley Amos	Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)	1	7:30

Polaris 11

Polaris 11
Information
Promotion	Polaris Pro Grappling
Date	August 31, 2019
Venue	Bridgewater Hall
City	Manchester, England

Polaris 11 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on August 31, 2019 at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, England.

Background

Vagner Rocha has had to pull out of his title fight against Mansher Khera. However, Edwin Najmi stepping up on short notice to face Khera.

Marc Diakiese has had to pull out of his match with Chris Fishgold, however, Diakiese's training partner and grappling instructor, Liam Cann, will be stepping in on short notice to test himself against the powerful UFC grappler.

Unfortunately due to a last minute training injury, Satoshi Ishii is unable to compete and so the match with Arya Esfandmaz will have to be postponed.

Results

Polaris 11
Weight Class					Method	Round	Time	Notes
Ladies Under 55 kg	NO-GI	Ffion Davies (c)	def.	Talita Alencar	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00	For the Polaris Ladies Under 55 KG Championship
Welterweight 77.1 kg	NO-GI	Edwin Najmi	def.	Mansher Khera (c)	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00	For the Polaris Welterweight Championship
Welterweight 77.1 kg	NO-GI	Stevie Ray	def.	Paddy Pimblett	Submission (Heelhook)	1	7:42
Middleweight 83.9 kg	GI	Tommy Langaker	def.	Marcos Tinoco	Decision (Split)	1	15:00
Catchweight 103 kg	NO-GI	Nick Rodriguez	def.	Ben Dyson	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00
Catchweight 74 kg	NO-GI	Liam Cann	def.	Chris Fishgold	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00

Polaris 12

Polaris 12
Information
Promotion	Polaris Pro Grappling
Date	November 30, 2019
Venue	International Convention Centre Wales
City	Newport, Wales

Polaris 12 was a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on November 30, 2019 at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport, Wales.

Background

João Miyao has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled Polaris Bantamweight Championship bout against Ashley Williams due to an injury, Azize Hlali has stepped in as a replacement. Unfortunately, Hlali has been unable to compete. Williams instead faced Richard Alarcon, who stepped in on a weeks notice for this encounter.[18]

Fight Card

Polaris 12
Weight Class					Method	Round	Time	Notes
Catchweight 104.3 kg	NO-GI	Nick Rodriguez	def.	Luke Rockhold	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00
Bantamweight 61 kg	NO-GI	Ashley Williams	def.	Richard Alarcon	Submission (Armbar)	1	1:39	For the inaugural Polaris Bantamweight Championship
Catchweight 80 kg	GI	Tommy Langaker	def.	Gilbert Burns	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00
W.Catchweight 57 kg	NO-GI	Michelle Nicolini	def.	Vanessa English	Submission (Toe Hold)	1
Catchweight 104 kg	NO-GI	Devhonte Johnson	def.	Arya Esfandmaz	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00
Welterweight 77 kg	NO-GI	PJ Barch	def.	Marcin Held	Decision (Unanimous)	1	15:00

Polaris 13

Polaris 13
Information
Promotion	Polaris Pro Grappling
Date	April 4, 2020
Venue	International Convention Centre Wales
City	Newport, Wales

Polaris 13 will be a grappling event held by Polaris Pro Grappling on April 4, 2020 at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport, Wales.

Absolute Grand Prix

Differing from the previous Polaris events, the event is competed in a one-night tournament format without weight classes.[19]

Participants

• Nick Rodriguez
• Nathan Orchard
• Mike Perez
• Adam Wardziński
• Freddie Vosgrone
• Patrick Gaudio
• Kaynan Duarte
• Nick Ronan

Fight Card

Polaris 13
Weight Class					Method	Round	Time	Notes
Lightweight 70.3 kg	NO-GI	Ashley Williams (c)	vs.	AJ Agazarm				For the Polaris Lightweight Championship

Polaris Squads

Background

Polaris Squads is an upcoming event that will feature two teams of eight grapplers, four under 75 kg and four under 95 kg on each team. They will be competing across an eighty-minute time period, split into two halves.[20] The first event of its kind to use this unique ruleset, it sees UFC veterans and elite BJJ black belts representing Team UK and Ireland,[21] and Team Europe.[22] The event will also feature a non-title superfight between Ffion Davies and Magdalena Loska.[23]

-75kg

Ashley Williams

Tom Halpin

Dominic Dillon

Jed Hue

-95kg

Darragh O'Connail

Bradley Hill

Kieran Davern

Taylor Pearman

-75kg

Mateusz Szczecisnki

Tommi Pulkkanen

Kamil Wilk

Dinu Bucalet

-95kg

Eduardo 'Teta' Rios

Marcin Held

Tarik Hopstock

Santeri Lilius

Results

After a total of sixteen matches, Team UK & Ireland won the event 1–0. Fifteen of the matches ended in a draw and double-elimination, with the only submission coming from Tom Halpin. He submitted Dinu Bucalet via Triangle Choke late in the first half. The main event superfight saw Ffion Davies defeat Magdalena Loska via Rear-Naked Choke.[24]

See also

• Metamoris
• ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship

References

1. "Polaris About Us". Polaris Pro Grappling. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
2. "Polaris Pro Breakdown: A Night of Dream Matchups". flograppling.com. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
3. "Polaris Pro 3: The Battle for Professional Jiu-Jitsu". Inverted Gear. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
4. https://jitsmagazine.com/the-jitsmagazine-2020-bjj-awards/
5. "Polaris Pro Grappling Rules". Polaris Pro Grappling. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
6. "Polaris 1". Polaris Grappling. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
7. "Polaris 2". Polaris Grappling. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
8. "Polaris 3". Polaris Grappling. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
9. "Polaris 4". Polaris Grappling. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
10. "Polaris 5". Polaris Grappling. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
11. "Polaris 6". Polaris Grappling. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
12. "Polaris 7". Polaris Grappling. Retrieved 2018-07-18.
13. "Polaris 8". Polaris Grappling. Retrieved 2018-11-30.
14. "Jake Shields To Face Rafael Lovato Jr. At Polaris 9". jiujitsutimes.com.
15. "Polaris 9: Jake Shields versus Rafael Lovato Jr set for main event". fansided.com.
16. "Ffion Davies vs. Gezary Matuda set for Polaris title fight". bloodyelbow.com.
17. "Polaris 9 Results". bjjheroes.com.
18. "Joao Miyao OUT of Polaris 12 – Richard "Red" Alarcon IN". attacktheback.com.
19. "Polaris Announces Absolute Grand Prix". sherdog.com. January 22, 2020.
20. https://jitsmagazine.com/rules-and-first-competitor-announced-for-polaris-squads/
21. https://jitsmagazine.com/full-polaris-squads-team-uk-and-ireland-lineup-announced/
22. https://jitsmagazine.com/polaris-squads-lineup-finalized-with-team-europe-announcement/
23. https://jitsmagazine.com/polaris-squads-adds-ffion-davies-v-magdalena-loska-superfight/
24. https://jitsmagazine.com/polaris-squads-live-results-discussion-and-play-by-play/

External links

• Official website