Polaris 29 results and Play By Play

John Davis

Tainan Dalpra vs Tarik Hopstock

Hopstock immediately pulls guard, looking to attack Dalpra’s legs. Dalpra is able to start passing and maintain top position.

Dalpra starts working to pass Hopstock’s guard, using his technique and excellent mobility. He passes the guard, goes knee on belly. Goes straight to mount. Hopstock struggles to reguard initially but manages a reverse closed guard. He tries to go for Dalpra’s leg from this poisition.

The two grapple back and forth, with Dalpra maintaining control for the most part. Dalpra opens the reverse closed guard twice, the second time Hopstock can’t reguard. Dalpra advances to North south position.

Midway through the match, Dalpra starts looking to set up a Tarikoplata, a modified kimura lock that Hopstock is known for. Hopstock defends well initially, not wanting to get caught in his own signature submission.

 

Tainan Dalpra continues submission after Tarik taps to kimura
byu/sledyeller inbjj

The crowd gets excited as Dalpra continues to threaten with creative entries and transitions, but Hopstock’s defense holds strong. With a couple minutes remaining, Dalpra finally secures the Kimura grip and forces Hopstock to tap out.

Jay Rodriguez vs Mohammed Avtarhanov

Jay Rodriguez, fresh off his ADCC silver, faced Mohammed Avtarhanov, a rising star on the Irish circuit. What seemed like a straightforward win for Rodriguez quickly turned into a surprising twist.

After several exchanges, Rodriguez tried to take the back off a scramble, but Avtarhanov’s impressive leg dexterity and flexibility made it difficult for Rodriguez to pass his inverted guard.

The bout remained a stalemate for much of the match, with Avtarhanov managing to sweep but failing to maintain control. Rodriguez eventually secured a back mount and went for a rear-naked choke, but Avtarhanov held on until the end. Despite the dominant display from Rodriguez, the match went to the judges’ scorecards, and in a stunning split decision, Avtarhanov was declared the winner.


The unexpected result left many questioning Polaris’ scoring system, sparking calls for reform in grappling’s judging approach.

Diego “Pato” Oliveira vs Ash Williams

The main event of the evening features Diego Pato, the 25-year-old Brazilian representing AOJ, taking on the Welshman Ash Williams.

The match begins with Pato immediately pulling guard. Ash goes for a foot lock, but Pato sweeps and ends up on top.

After Williams gets up, Pato pulls guard.

Pato is quick to attack, threatening an omoplata and triangle. Ash does a good job defending, using his lapel control to slow Pato’s passing attempts.

As the match progresses, Pato slowly takes over the pace, using his smothering top game and lapel control to wear down Ash.

Pato establishes dominant positions, trapping Ash in his guard and working to pass. Ash tries hard to stall Pato’s offense, using his flexible guard and feet to create space. However, Pato’s pressure and relentless attacks eventually take their toll on Ash.

With 2 minutes remaining, Pato attempts a cross choke from half guard.

Pato passes, secures the knee-on-belly position and looks to finish, but Ash stubbornly defends. The match ends with Pato in control, and he’s awarded the unanimous decision victory.


After the match, Pato praises Ash for setting the tone and acknowledges the growth he’s experienced since joining AOJ.

Cole Abate vs Sam Mc Nally

The action gets underway between Ireland’s Sam McNally and the young American phenom Cole Abate.

Abate comes out aggressive, attempting a flying triangle right away, but McNally does a nice job defending and avoiding the submission attempt.

McNally pulls guard. and tries working closed guard on Abate. Abate stands up with the closed guard still on. McNally fails to sweep, Abate opens his guard.

McNally tries to invert but gets his guard passed instead. Abate fixates him in North South. He briefly switches to side control but struggles to control McNally and the two reset.

Abate continues to control the position, using his slick transitions to take the back of McNally. He almost secures the finish, but McNally fights it off.

The pace quickens as Abate looks to capitalize, going for an armbar.

With just over a minute remaining, Abate again takes the back of McNally, he threatens with a rear-naked choke, but his control is nowhere near good enough.

The buzzer sounds to end the match. The judges award Cole Abate the unanimous decision victory over the game Sam McNally.

George Pearse vs Davis Asare

 

The match starts with Davis Asare, representing New Wave from Norway, taking on late replacement George Pearse from England, representing London Grapple.

Asare comes out aggressively, jumping and landing some big leaps.

Asare is able to get the leg entanglement and starts threatening leg locks. Pearse defends well. Asare is on top threatning to pass. Asare takes the back, locks in a body triangle. Asare struggles to get a finish despite riding the back for several minutes.

Pearse manages to get out and ends up on top. This time it’s his turn to take the back. He also has a body triangle locked in. Pearse tries to go for a reverse triangle/armbar combo. Asare manages to slide out.

Pearse goes back to passing, passes Asare’s guard again. Pearse is in mount. He progress into side control where he makes an attempt to finish an arm triangle. It’s apparent Asare may have gassed himself layering it on very thick in the first five minutes. Pearse takes the back again. He transitions to an armbar attempt. Asare refuses to tap despite the fact his arm is extended. He manages to escape and the match is over.

Asare is declared the winner to the disappointment of the crowd. This is another match that points to Polaris having to re-evaluate their judging.

 

John Davis