Submission Hunter Pro 60

By Lorena Balli

The Submission Hunter Pro 60 card was a uniquely empowering event. As the first ever all women’s super fights grappling card (Submission Hunter,) women and girls from across the country were given the opportunity to put on a show while growing united in a male dominated sport. The card featured an exciting 130 pound no gi match between Danielle Kelly and Roxanne Modaferri as the main event. It was a fast paced match with a long string of leg attacks and takedowns ultimately ending in the last eight seconds with a toe hold by Kelly. Additionally, this was the first ever Submission Hunter event to be aired on UFC Fight Pass which generated both MMA and BJJ viewers worldwide.

Kelly is a skilled grappler with roughly thirteen years of training and less than one year as a black belt. She has notable wins in her grappling record such as her 17 second ankle lock submission win over UFC fighter Cynthia Calvillo at December’s Quintet Ultra. She is definitely a rising star. While Roxanne Modaferri is recognized as the UFC’s number eight flyweight women’s ranking she is also known as the “Happy Warrior” of the MMA world which could also be seen in the Jiu-Jitsu arena. At the event Modaferri was nothing short of charming; radiating positivity and happily stopping to take a photo with every fan.

Fight night in Houston drew light to the ever evolving style of Jiu-Jitsu. The women showcased their individual styles of the sport where even some Judo and Wrestling came out to play. But besides great takedowns, thundering slams and even some mouth covering back takes (legal in submission hunter super fights,) intricate games of leg entanglements and guard playing in the gi were also on display. Every fight was an example of high level strategic Jiu-Jitsu with a treat for every viewer.

“I’ve never seen anything like this in my life. Watching girls come out and fight like this was incredible! I don’t know much about the sport. I’ve seen some Karate and Tae Kwon Do matches before but never Jiu-Jitsu and especially women’s Jiu-Jitsu. This was very interesting and I love seeing the confidence of these women” explained Juana “Juanita” Tafolla, audience member and family supporter in the crowd.

Submission Hunter 60 was an example of hope for more women’s events to come and the growth of women’s Jiu-Jitsu as a whole. It was an event that made a statement: women can dominate the main stage and put on just as great a show as male grapplers. Furthermore, since the sport is still evolving, limited weight classes can be hard to work around as an athlete. Some women have expressed frustration with being one of few to none in their respective weight categories but this event showcased over six adult weight classes which many of the women expressed gratitude for.

As one of the competitors on this card, I can say it was a very special moment in my life. A dream of mine for some years now was to become an MMA fighter and one day make it to the UFC but this event allowed me to be content in the idea of knowing that even if I never make it to the octagon, I could share this moment with my friends and family via UFC Fight Pass. I managed to pull through a tumultuous moment I was experiencing that weekend and get the W with a triangle armbar finish against a game opponent. It would mark my last super fight event at the blue belt ranking. Being recently promoted to the rank of purple belt, I can only hope to maintain my health and keep training hard to continue to do what I love – grapple on the big stage. I hope to keep fighting with Garcia Promotions, Submission Hunter as well as the other well known organizations like Fight 2 Win and Third Coast Grappling.

To share the stage with other beautiful and talented women was an honor in itself and the opportunity could not have come without the motivation and support of Eric Garcia who ignited a different kind of athletic spark in me. He made me realize I could become a pro athlete at any age or any belt level.

Submission Hunter Pro is a super fight promotion company run by Eric Garcia out of Houston, Texas. It is a traveling grappling spectacle featuring exciting kids and teen matches to adults from blue to black belt.

“I think the event was definitely successful in regards to the competitors and how it ran. I loved meeting new people and seeing everyone post about the card and how excited they were to be a part of the event. Seeing the competitors get on planes and fly in for this event was awesome,” Garcia of Submission Hunter.”

Beyond this event being a beacon of hope for many young Jiujiteiras, it also raises awareness of breast cancer with proceeds benefiting “The Rose,” a non profit Breast Imaging Center whose mission is “saving lives through quality breast health services, advocacy and access to care for all.” The Submission Hunter organization donated 25% of proceeds from the event to The Rose foundation.

MAIN CARD RESULTS

Danielle Kelly defeats Roxanne Modafferi via Toehold. Kelly becomes the SHP 130lbs nogi Champion
Alana Holy defeats Andreza Morais via Advantage in Overtime. Holy becomes SHP brown belt 125lbs nogi Champion
Laurah Hallock defeats Erin Johnson via Lapel Choke
Yani Reyes vs. Liz Exell Draw
Rebecca Tomada vs. Ariana Azevedo Draw
Marisol Fuentes vs. Lindsey Boston Draw
Leslie McLea defeats Naomi Villa via Armbar
Alexa Yanes defeats Priscilla Eckhardt via Kneebar
Stefanie Kopacz vs. Teara Lewis Draw
Danielle Guevara vs. Angelica Arrambide Draw
Samantha Priddy defeats Alyssa Cantu via Armbar
Melissa Lozano vs. Cassidy Welch Draw
Mona Bailey defeats Savannah Valle via Armbar

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