RISE Invitational 2: Recap

This past Sunday, Matt Culley of New York Fighting and Lou Neglia hosted the second RISE Invitational at The Space in Westbury, Long Island. It’s not any given Sunday that we see such an illustrious group of MMA veterans and rising stars all on one mat. Headlined by Pete “Drago” Sell vs Joe “Diesel’ Riggs, the stacked card featured fourteen undercard matches, an 8-man -155lb EBI rules tournament, and three superfights.

Last event’s 170-pound tournament winner, Jason Rau reigned supreme with his win via heel hook over Chris Schlesinger in their superfight. Rau brought the pressure and good control during the bout. This year’s tournament featured tough competition, with Serra BJJ teammates, Nick Ronan and James Gonzalez going head to head in the finals for the strap, ultimately ending in Ronan defeating Gonzalez via rear naked choke, taking home gold and a sweet $1,000 check.

Never ones to disappoint, Aljamain Sterling and Sergio DaSilva grappled to a draw in what was a thrilling performance with both men executing amazing ground-games on the mat. Sterling shined with multiple submission attempts and smooth transitions in what was surely a fight of the night contender.

The show ended with veterans and crowd favorites, Sell and Riggs going the distance to a 10-minute draw, showcasing a multitude of holds in an exciting bout that had The Space on its feet.

Catch the replay on UFC Fight Pass!

RESULTS

Youth Match

Fight 1 – Andre Alvarenga (Budokan BJJ) vs Cornelius Griffin (Budokan BJJ) – Draw

Undercard Match – 5 minutes

Fight 2 – Destiny Quinones (Kai Martial Arts) def. Jessica Ruiz (Alpha Omega) via triangle choke
Fight 3 – Lauren Braccia (LAW MMA) def. Victoria Lane (Commack MMA) via armbar
Fight 4 – Taneisha Tennent (Budokan BJJ) vs Diana Karavas (Dante Rivera BJJ) – Draw

Regular Undercard Match – 6 minutes

Fight 5 – Dom Biondo (Alpha Omega MMA) vs Sam Micale (Tai Kai Bjj) – Draw
Fight 6 – Andy Segovia (Tiger Shulmann’s) def. Jordan Gonzalez (Budokan BJJ) via ankle lock
Fight 7 – Dylan Rankin (LAW MMA) vs Ron Gilberti (Monster BJJ) – Draw
Fight 8 – Joshua Marsh (LI MMA) vs Sam Kusewich (LAW MMA) – Draw

Advance Undercard Match – 6 minutes

Fight 9 – Anthony Lopez (Warrior’s MMA) vs Mikey Waters (Vamos BJJ) – Draw
Fight 10 – Nick Panebianco (Alchemy BJJ) def. Kyle Cerminara (LI MMA) via heel hook
Fight 11 – Rob Degle (LI MMA) def. Estevison Carmona (Gracie Barra) via heel hook
Fight 12 – Joe Mammanelo (Dante Rivera BJJ) vs Matteo Martinez (Matteo BJJ) – Draw
Fight 13 – Frank Rosenthal (Renzo Gracie NYC) def. Sop Huh (Gracie Barra) via heel hook
Fight 14 – Marvin Lee (Long Beach Bjj) vs Chris Cope (Monster BJJ) – Draw

Superfights

Pete “Drago” Sell (Serra BJJ) vs Joe “Diesel” Riggs (Legion MMA) – Draw
Aljamain “Funkmaster” Sterling (Serra BJJ) vs Sergio “The Savage” DaSilva (Shaolin BJJ) – Draw
Jason Rau (Serra BJJ) def. Chris Schlesginer (Soca BJJ) via heel hook

8 Man 155lb EBI Rules Tournament

Round 1

Fight 1 – Nick Ronan (Serra BJJ) def. James Haseman (Alchemy BJJ) via rear naked choke
Fight 2 – James Gonzalez (Serra BJJ) def. Nicolas Gallucio (Soca BJJ) via triangle choke in overtime
Fight 3 – Ashure Abana (Dante Rivera BJJ) def. Adam de Oliveria (Gracie Barra New Hyde Park) via submission overtime win
Fight 4 – Nick Manela (Gracie Barra Princeton) def. Adam Collarile (914 Training Center Nova Uniao Hawaii) via fastest escape time

Round 2

Fight 1 – James Gonzalez (Serra BJJ) def. Asure Abana (Dante Rivera BJJ) via choke
Fight 2 – Nick Ronan (Serra BJJ) def. Nick Manela (Gracie Barra Princeton) via rear naked choke

Finals

Nick Ronan (Serra BJJ) def. James Gonzalez (Serra BJJ) via choke

Recap by Goldyn Belgarde

Photos by Manny Fernandes (@MDphotoandink)