In a recent August 1 Jiu Jitsu fighting event, “Kartel Kash: The Submission Showdown”, held at the Overtime Bar and Sports Grill in Albuquerque featured two local fighters who participated in that event and had mixed results.
Dion Valdez of San Rafael defeated his opponent Emilio Acosta by escaping faster in the overtime period and walking away with a win.
The event was a 1 round of 7 minutes and the goal was to put your opponent in a submission. If there was no clear winner then an overtime period occurred and the opponent who escaped the fastest won.
Valdez, a 4 stripe white belt, believed that he dominated the match in the 7 minute round but was unable to put Acosta, a higher ranking blue belt, in a submission.
Valdez said of the match, “I was excited to get back there, I had not competed in in a while”.”
When asked how he prepared for this event Valdez said, “Training and sparing every day and getting a lot of cardio in,” said Valdez.
Valdez may have another upcoming bout at the end of the year or the beginning of next year.
“I’m drilling and working on my technique every day in preparation ,” said Valdez.
Alex Martinez of Grants had his debut fight at this event, Martinez went the full 7-minute 1 round however lost in the overtime to his opponent, Zeven Swallows.
Martinez said of his first time experience, “I was really anxious to go in and get it started and compete,” said Martinez. “It’s a bit nerve wracking walking out.”
Once the fight developed Martinez said, “Once the fight starts you just ignore everything else and everything just goes blank and you focus on finishing your opponent.”
Martinez said no one got the submission but in the end he escaped faster than me. Martinez looks forward to future fights.
Both fighters train locally at J5's Jiu Jitsu/MMA and Fitness Center.