4/25/2022 By: Danny O'Donnell

The IBJJF Nashville International Open took place on Saturday, April 23rd and featured both gi and no-gi divisions. Gracie Barra, GF Team, Detroit Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Pedigo Submission Fighting, Alliance, Zenith, and CheckMat all brought big teams to Tennessee. The following were the standout competitors in the black belt adult divisions.

European and Pan champion Alexander Trans of GF Team returned to competition in Nashville. Trans won double gold, winning both the ultra-heavy and open class gi divisions. In ultra-heavy, Trans beat Gabriel Araujo, sweeping, passing, and finishing with an arm triangle choke. In the open class he racked up three victories with two more submissions, finishing an ezekiel from the back against Adolfo Santiago and finishing an armbar in the final against Joao Felipe Cizeski to take home gold. Trans went 4-0 on the day with three submissions.

Alliance Jiu-Jitsu’s Johnny Tama submitted Eduardo Roque and Theodore Sanders in the gi at lightweight to take gold. He came back to no-gi in the middleweight division and defeated Clay Mayfield and Oliver Taza to take him his second gold for the weekend. Another Alliance representative, Austin Oranday, also took first in his gi and no-gi divisions. Austin won two matches in the black belt middleweight division in the gi and also won the no-gi black belt heavyweight division later in the day.

After losing a decision in the black belt no-gi middleweight division final, Oliver Taza of Renzo Gracie International bounced back in the open class. Taza defeated Clay Mayfield and Austin Oranday to win no-gi open class gold.

2022 Nashville International Open team results:

1. Gracie Barra
2. GF Team
3. Pedigo Submission Fighting

2022 Nashville International No-Gi Open team results:

1. Detroit Jiu-Jitsu Academy
2. Gracie Barra
3. GF Team