By Jim Genia
(October 2nd, Essex County College, Newark) They came to the gymnasium at Essex County College to do battle – the Gracie, the Team Renzo and Gold Team Fighters representatives, the Greg Jackson disciples – and battle they did. On Saturday night, the inaugural Brick City Fighting Championship saw Gregor Gracie dispatch one of Brazilian vale tudo legend Jorge Patino’s students with ease, wrestler Eric Bradley and slugger Josh Key go back and forth, and a promising Romulo Bittencourt student snap his opponent’s arm before knocking him out. In short, BCFC kicked ass. (Pictured above: Artur Rofi pressing Adolpho Sanchez against the cage) Highlights of the night included:
- Gracie’s seamless destruction on Mariusz Linke. From his punishing striking to his flawless jiu-jitsu, Gracie was large and in charge from the outset.
- Renzo Gracie-trained Daisuke Yamaji and Maciej Linke’s spirited fisticuff. The two thumped each other nicely in the first round, but by Round 2 Yamaji was a man possessed, and only referee intervention would stop the Japanese fighter from committing murder.
- Artur Rofi’s dominance and Adolpho Sanchez’s heart. Rofi practically had his way with his foe on the ground, going so far as to hyperextend Sanchez’s arm at the bell for Round 1. Yet Sanchez would not quit, and it would take Rofi almost another round before he scored a knockout.
Brick City FC Results:
-Gregor Gracie def. Mariusz Linke by Rear Naked Choke at 2:13, R1
-Jerome Martinez def. Jose Rodriguez by verbal submission at 3:26, R1
-Carlos Cline def. Don Wagner by Unanimous Decision
-Daisuke Yamaji def. Maciej Linke by TKO (punches) at 1:01, R2
-Glen Sandull def. JA Dudley by Unanimous Decision
-Eric Bradley def. Josh Key by Unanimous Decision
-Artur Rofi def. Adolpho Sanchez by KO (punches) at 4:53, R2
-Ran Weathers def. Brandon Adamson by Rear Naked Choke at 1:47, R2
