PGF Preview/Competitor Notes

Posted byeggheadwarriorPosted inUncategorized

Guys, I started researching the competitors for this PGF season as soon as it was announced. Once I started trying to put together a summary and realized the initial list put out was just tentative, I stopped for a while. When I found out the final list, I restarted with the hope of educating myself on these guys so I would have some background for my fantasy picks. I figured the best spots to look for competitors’ footage would be UFC Fight Pass (SUG, etc.), Flograppling, and Youtube. Of course, I also stalked them on Instagram and Facebook as well as the ole Google, etc. I’ve done my fair share of investigations in the past (all official) so I am usually pretty good at digging up stuff on people. That said, there’s too much to put everything here on these guys. BMAC really stepped up the competition this year. So, I’m just going to do a data dump for anyone interested. Yeah, it’s rough. If you don’t like something, I can change it, but here’s some research that could help you get a leg up on others:

1. Justin “Judo” Williams – Judo Black Belt

  • Judo instructor for Webster Martial Arts out of Grayson, AL (small town between Decatur and Huntsville)
  • Webster Martial Arts website says: Has 11 years of martial arts experience, with a black belt in Judo, Yudo, Jiujitsu, and a third degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. “The program is offered to ages 13+, our Judo program is a traditional training experience with a focus on technique, history, and core principles.”

UFC Fight Pass – None

Flograppling – None

Youtube – None

2. Grayson Webster – @thesouthernsamurai, Tang Soo Do Black Belt, received his blue belt January 28th from Daniel O’Bryan of Triad Martial Arts Academy out of Cullman, AL. Looks to be training in the gi. Self-defense-based jiu jitsu.

UFC Fight Pass – None

Flograppling – None

Youtube – None

3. Stephen “the Spoiler” Eakin – 10th Planet Black Belt under Boogeyman Richie Martinez; former MMA fighter (8-6). He’s now head of 10th Planet Perry (Georgia).  Eakin is the promoter/organizer of the Mid South Classic submission grappling tournaments. He’s putting on a Dream NOGI camp in Costa, Rica this October.  Eakin lost 55 pounds in four months to be able to compete in this season.  Eakin really wanted to be in this tournament.  That desire and dedication along with the increase of physical attributes from a weight loss as he had could give him the ability to spoil this season for others.

UFC Fight Pass – None

Flograppling –

Youtube –

4. Kevin Primeau – 10p Decatur Purple Belt; Former MMA figher; Season 1 quarterfinalist; Liquid Terminator, Pete Rose of the PGF (but can’t bet on himself). Bet against this man at your own peril. The McDojo show guys didn’t show him the love and they fell behind. Egghead and McWhorter kept the faith and they skyrocketed to the top. As Matt Skaff mentioned on his podcast and during the PGF season 1 commentary, Primeau changed his whole mentality/game after he lost to Elijah Carlton.  Primeau sat guard against Carlton and got picked apart.  Afterwards, Primeau worked on his wrestling an grind and just beat up his opponents.  Primeau is a workhorse.  Opponents will have to really up their game to win against him.

UFC Fight Pass – None

Flograppling – None

Youtube –

5. Jake Elkins – Collegiate Wrestler; 10p Decatur Purple Belt; Founding Member of Voltron; Season 1 Cruiserweight Tournament Finalist; Ironclad Wrestling Proprietor. Alabama State Champion at 189 lb in 2007 (and tournament most valuable wrestler). Wrestled at Newberry College (D2).  He went up to heavyweight (285) in college.

UFC Fight Pass – None

Flograppling – None

Youtube –

  • PGF Season 1 Playoffs – 4-man tourney to crown champ going into season 2 – first match at 3:08:30; 3:27:10 (Jake Elkins v Sam Barbosa)
  • Ironclad Wrestling videos – he’s the head owner/instructor. It’ll give you some insight into him.
  • Multiple Wrestling USA videos, but all were from 9 years ago and were him wrestling in 285 lb division.

6. Matt “the Mane” Elkins – BJJ Brown Belt; former Collegiate Wrestler; former Pro MMA; Season 1 Quarterfinalist; Founding Member of Voltron.  He’s cut off the locks (now, “the Fade”?).  Does he lose his strength like Samson? But seriously, Matt was a force in season 1. He’s a legit brown belt with very solid wrestling. He’ll be a handful for everyone and could be a force if he doesn’t get too excited like he did in the PGF playoff tournament.

UFC Fight Pass – None

Flograppling – Oscar Gugala vs Matt Elkins IBJJF 2017 World Championships – Not sure how useful for background as he was a purple belt and wearing a gi.

Youtube –

7. Elijah “the Bad Guy” Carlton – Brown Belt; Undefeated Season 1 Champion; The Bad Guy; trained in PR with the DDS. Since most press has been on him, you likely know about him. He’s legit A.F. Even as a smaller guy for the division, many who know their stuff are picking him to win.

UFC Fight Pass – None

Flograppling –

Youtube

8. Sam “the Good Guy” Barbosa – 10p Jacksonville (under Bryan Brown); Reigning Cruiserweight Champion; USA wrestling – had scholarship for wrestling, then played football, but came back to wrestling afterwards. Brown belt. Weighed in at 192 with clothes on  “Bamual Sarbosa” nickname? Wants to open an orphanage – seriously, listen to the McDojo Show interview podcast (or on YouTube) of Sam. If you don’t cheer for Sam, you don’t have a soul.

UFC Fight Pass – None

Flograppling – None

Youtube

9. Evan Stapler – 10th Planet Decatur Blue Belt; NAGA belt holder; Noted Rapper/Music Video Superstar. Formerly 300 lbs then went running out of the house like David Goggins and worked it all off. Reported killer cardio. Great interview on the Grappling Discourse Podcast with Matt Skaff.

UFC Fight Pass – None

Flograppling – None

Youtube – Soon to be worldwide jiu jitsu music video sensation: A Lot Remix-BIG-E

10. James Regina; @james10pkc; MMA record 8-3; fitness trainer; like Stapler was formerly a larger man (lost 160 lb and 37% body fat). 29yo; 6’5”; has cut to 185 before; out of Lone Wolf MMA (10th Planet Kansas City). Purple belt. Good leg locker. Leg locks seem to be his bread and butter – but can he get the kills for the points???

UFC Fight Pass – None

Flograppling –

  • Cody Dixon vs James Regina 2020 WNO: Garry Tonon vs Dante Leon -10P KC v Atos product on FTW148 (might be mislabeled – announcers said F2W as well)
    • Butt scoot immediately, allowed a quick pass, then got mounted, recovered half guard, went for the knee bar setup, Dixon escaped to standing, got guard, pop triangle but didn’t work, goes under, tries for knee bar en route to heel hook but Cody sees it coming. Keeps going for the heel hook and knee bar action. Won by decision due to constant leg attacks.

YouTube –

  • MMA – Feb 11, 2021 – FAC 5 James Regina vs Nick Meck – Was this the same day they wrapped PGF Season 2?
    • Regina was at 190 for the fight
    • Went the full three rounds so still good cardio. Subject to getting double-legged, but he’s also focusing on not getting punched as well.
  • MMA – Nov 2020 – FAC 4 James Regina vs Calonese Tolbert
    • Went for gogoplata when taken down (maybe some rubber guard play?)
    • 15 minute fight, got the decision, plenty of cardio
  • He has a number of other MMA fights, but they were from a few years ago when he was a heavyweight and don’t seem helpful for analysis.

11. Joshua Gibbs – @gibbythegrappler. Formerly Checkmat Virginia aka Freedom Jiu Jitsu BJJ Purple Belt. Earned his purple belt as of 4 August 2020; Traditional BJJ school system under Master Leo Vieira, 2xworld champ and 2x ADCC champ. Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from National Strength and Conditioning Association (NCSA); out of Lynchburg, VA. In the 190 range NOMAD BJJ IBJJF registered academy affiliated under Rubao Carioca. School only has No Gi on Friday nights. “Coach Josh Gibbs is an avid competitor and purple belt under Professor Brian.  He has a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and Nutrition from Liberty, and he is an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Trainer.  He initially started training jiu-jitsu to learn self-defense as according to him, “it’s proven to be the most effective martial art”.   He now has a deep passion for the sport.  He has earned several Gold medals in US Grappling, Grappling Industries and Naga tournaments in both Gi and No Gi divisions. 

Whether you are looking to get newly started in BJJ, improve your game with clear and precise instruction or simply want to get in the best shape of your life, Josh is the instructor for you.”

UFC Fight Pass – None

Flograppling – None

Youtube

12. “Mega” Mike Johnson – bjj purple belt out of SBG Birmingham.  OKAY, you got me stumped; that’s all I got. He has one of the most common first names in the US along with one of the most common last names in the US. He isn’t an instructor or known competitor (at least online).  We’ll just have to wait in suspense as we find more out about “Mega” Mike Johnson (the nickname “Mega” is all I was able to squeeze out of BMAC).

UFC Fight Pass – None

Flograppling – None

Youtube – None

13. Zack “Squidbilly” Edwards – 10th Planet Austin brown belt and coach; formerly of 10th Planet Bethlehem; @backcountryleglocks_bjj; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9dp9brFVVk ; leg lock specialist, but can transition to other submissions while hunting the legs (as seen in arm bar victory at Fight2Win). Onnit Invitational veteran (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoNnY_J6ygc); Diesel Technician at Performance Truck – Buda; Jiu-Jitsu Instructor at UFC GYM; Assistant Instructor at 10th Planet Austin; Studied Diesel Technology at Universal Technical Institute Extone, PA; Third Coast Grappling 5 win over Josh Richards (heel hook); loss at Subversiv 4 to Hugo Marques (judges decision). Win at Fight2Win over L. Ferreira Junior. Lives in Austin, Texas. From Allentown, Pennsylvania. Earned his brown belt in three years! Gave Sam Barbosa some trouble at Mid South Classic Final on 5 December 2020, Barbosa only won in EBI overtime. Trains with Tackett brothers now.

UFC Fight Pass – None

Flograppling –

Youtube

14. Hunter Colvin – @colvin335; Husband/ BJJ Black Belt out of Triton Fight Center in Broken Arrow (Tulsa) Oklahoma is also an instructor at Brothers Jiu Jitsu in Broken Arrow. Pro MMA Fighter (2-0) at 170lb. He’s sponsored by Secret Jiu Jitsu Club and represented by Dodge Sports. He has wins over Elijah Carlton and Kyle Boehm in the past. Recently at CJJ World in Dec 2020, he took on Tye Ruotolo, one of the Ruotolo brothers and an Atos team member. Colvin took it the distance, only losing by ride time in EBI overtime to Tye Ruotolo. Submission Underground, Fight2Win, and Combat Jiu Jitsu veteran. Recent American Grappling Federation champ. Competed in a super fight on SUBVERSIV 3. In his professional MMA debut against Spencer Glenn on Xtreme Fight Night, Colvin wasted little time taking down his opponent.  He pulled a little Khabib-style opposite wrist pin to allow him to start striking undefended, then got his hooks in and won by TKO due to punches.

He has too many matches to watch. He’s the real deal. He’s been up against the best. He’s going to be hard to beat.

UFC Fight Pass

Flograppling

Youtube

15. Kemoy “RatedR/the Bully” Anderson – @ratedr10p; professional athlete, Originally from New York City, Anderson is a 10th Planet Brown Belt out of 10th Planet El Paso where he teaches a competition class. He is a veteran of multiple F2W competitions. A 10th Planet Team duels veteran, we saw him get wins via kimura, kimura (as a counter to a single leg), another kimura (from reverse triangle position)—there’s a fair chance he tries to rip someone’s arm off.  Anderson is very aggressive, explosive grappler. One commentator described Anderson’s heavy pressure, aggressive style as a “bullying” style. Maybe Anderson will prove to be the bully of PGF Season 2.

UFC Fight Pass – 10th Planet Team Duel – Kemoy’s matches start at 01:01:13 – 01:02:07 (first kimura), 1:10:30 (second kimura, this time off the reverse triangle), showed strong submission defense in third match before him and his opponent both being eliminated (Quintet rules).

Flograppling (all of these have been in the last year – WOW!)     

YouTube

16. Randy Roden – Out of Scramble American Jiu Jitsu (Scramble BJJ & Wrestling) in Rome, Georgia. He is a Rome High School 4A State Champion 2009-10 & 2010-11 Seasons (Back-to-Back Undefeated Seasons), Virginia Beach Senior Nationals All-American (4th Place), and Division 1 Wrestler for Duke University 2011-2016.  Roden has a great little instructional on the ankle pick on Duke’s facebook page. In high school, he was 44-0 as a junior and senior and was a member of the national honor society. Duke’s a pretty highfalutin school. If I’m not careful he may try to steal my moniker as the egghead warrior (j/k I have five degrees, was a member of NHS, and a member of a handful of honor societies in college – take that blue blood!). Blue Belt.

UFC Fight Pass – none

Flograppling – none

Youtube –

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