Look, if you had one shot or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment, would you capture it or just let it slip? That’s the question every competitor at the PGF World 6 Qualifier must answer this Friday, March 1st at 10th Planet Las Vegas in Henderson, NV. There’s just one qualifier this season – one shot for prospective competitors to earn their way onto the roster. This Friday we’ll see who has the skills, the motor, and the determination to earn their way onto the PGF World 6 stage. There’s a lot of new faces and names, but there’s also two PGF veteran stars, in the mix.
PGF World is the first jiu jitsu league with a pre-season, regular season, post-season finale tournament, combine, auction draft…it’s everything you love about sports, plus jiu jitsu. This Friday, PGF World hopefuls have the chance to earn a spot on the PGF World 6 roster by winning the PGF World 6 qualifier. Fans can check out the action on the PGF World YouTube page or Brandon Mccaghren’s YouTube page starting at 4pm PST. The winner of this qualifier is guaranteed a roster spot for PGF World 6 and the Commissioner, Brandon Mccaghren, has said he’s looking to fill multiple roster spots, and likely the four replacement/bench player spots. PGF World has four teams with five players on each team’s main roster for 20 total roster spots, but due to the grueling gauntlet nature of the PGF World season the teams also each have one replacement player/bench player who can take over for one of their teammates who is injured, needs a rest, etc. The team coaches can sub in their bench players as they see fit.
PGF World only has ONE qualifier this season. Some seasons have had up to eight qualifiers, but due to the quick turn from season 5 to season 6, there will only be one qualifier for this season. The qualifier is essentially run like a tournament, with each match lasting the PGF standard six minutes. To guarantee winning a match, a competitor must score a submission. If neither competitor in a match scores a submission, then the PGF World Qualifier highly scientific rule takes effect – which competitor did the Commissioner like more? The Commissioner will tell all the competitors he wants action. Getting into a dominant position and stalling until the round ends will get someone sent home. Brandon is looking for exciting grapplers, grapplers who belong in the PGF. The qualifier is also double elimination, so a competitor could lose their first match but fight back to get to the championship match. The qualifiers always prove to be exciting, fast-moving, and introduces the fans to new talent. But this qualifier also continues the story for two PGF veteran stars.
Manning “the Manaconda” Leverett: The 10th Planet Jacksonville standout was the runner up in the regular season standings for Season 3, combining an impressive takedown game with devastating choking power. The Manaconda returned for Season 4 along with his now wife Brianna who was a competitor in the woman’s division. Once again, Manning’s masterful jiu jitsu earned him a spot in the top eight and an entry into the Season Finale Tournament. He lost in that tournament to eventual champion Reese LaFever. Always a man more interested in proving his worth through deeds instead of words, Manning eschewed any attempt at talking his way into PGF World 6. As he has done in two previous seasons, the Manaconda intends to let his jiu jitsu do the talking as he attempts to earn a roster spot for PGF World 6.
Samson Phommabout: An experienced businessman, video/photographer, and legit mixed martial artist, Samson earned his spot in PGF Season 4 with a very impressive performance at that season’s Nashville Qualifier. Once in the PGF, Samson did not disappoint. Samson brought a tough, explosive, athletic brand of jiu jitsu to the competition, earning him a spot in the Season Finale Tournament. For PGF Season 5, Samson spent his time behind the camera, helping improve the production and bring great content to the fans. But the bug to compete has bitten Samson again. He recently won a gold medal in his division at the ADCC Long Beach Open this January. Now, he intends to return to the PGF fold and is intent on showing he belongs by winning the PGF World 6 Qualifier this Friday.
As of publication of this article, 20 competitors have signed up for the qualifier. As we’ve seen every season, inevitably a number of competitors will wait to sign up last second. Whether it’s gamesmanship in the form of not wanting the competition to know they’re attending so as not to provide extra time to prepare, or if it’s a matter of having to wait to ensure obligations (e.g. work, etc.) are covered, a number of tough competitors find their way onto the qualifier bracket just before start time. Regardless of how many additional competitors show up, fans should get ready for a fast-paced competition, both the speed of the competitive matches and the speed of qualifier moving onto the next match up are unmatched. This Friday, the story of likely multiple PGF World competitors’ season will begin. Fans should check out the qualifier so they can meet these competitors and enjoy watching their stories unfold throughout the PGF World Season. Who knows – you might just meet the eventual PGF World 6 Champion this Friday at the qualifier.
The editors at EggheadWarrior.com thank the PGF Insiders, and all the competitors for providing the content of this article. The PGF Insiders will always work to provide the latest and greatest information regarding the PGF and you can see their weekly podcasts on the McDojo Life YouTube Channel or Brandon Mccaghren’s channel (if a member). Special thanks to Walo Jay for all the great photos. Those interested in Walo’s work can check out his YouTube page (link is specifically to Walo’s Handsome Kevin short) and Walo’s website. Anyone wanting to promote the PGF can copy all or parts of this article and disseminate as desired, but please give some credit to EggheadWarrior.com.
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