WATCH: Competitor sleeps opponent with a gogoplata while landing palm strikes at EBI 23

Claudio Martin

 

In a jaw-dropping display of technical brilliance and creative combat strategy, Dominic Lobo secured a spectacular victory over Andres Luna during the Eddie Bravo Invitational 23  event this weekend.

Lobo showcased exceptional grappling IQ when he executed a rare gogoplata submission—a technique that utilizes the shin across an opponent’s throat while controlling their head and arm. What made this finish particularly remarkable was Lobo’s unexpected modification to the traditional technique.

As the action unfolded, Lobo found himself working from the bottom position. After clearing Luna’s head early in the exchange, he immediately repositioned his foot, setting up the gogoplata attempt. According to observers, Lobo’s second attempt showed significant improvement as he managed to get up onto his side, creating the leverage needed for the submission.

What happened next left commentators and spectators stunned. While maintaining the gogoplata position, Lobo began landing precise palm strikes directly to Luna’s face—a highly unusual combination rarely seen in competitive grappling.

“He’s using the gogo to throw strikes,” exclaimed one commentator as the sequence unfolded.

The innovative attack proved devastatingly effective as Luna quickly lost consciousness from the combined pressure of the submission and strikes.

“Oh, he’s out cold,” the commentator observed as the referee intervened to stop the contest. “Driving strikes straight down the pipe from the gogo.”

Fellow commentator TJ expressed his astonishment, acknowledging he had “never seen that one” before—a sentiment echoed by many grappling enthusiasts present at the event.

Complete EBI 23 results:

The Eddie Bravo Invitational 23 (EBI 23) in Mexico City provided fans with an unforgettable night of intense action and high-level combat jiu-jitsu. From the quarter-finals to the finals, every match showcased the diverse skills and techniques that make combat jiu-jitsu such a captivating sport. Here’s a breakdown of the thrilling tournament, concluding with the crowning of Damian Balderrama as the Combat Jiu-Jitsu Featherweight Champion.

Quarter-finals:

Mauricio Rios defeats John Chandler via Heel Hook

Mauricio Rios’ Cinderella run continued in the quarter-finals as he faced John Chandler. Rios, known for his leg lock expertise, caught Chandler in a precise heel hook, securing the tap early in the match. The Mexico City crowd erupted as their local hero advanced to the semi-finals with this technical submission.

 

Kevin Dantzler defeats Juan Diaz via Flying Armbar

Kevin Dantzler lit up the crowd with a breathtaking flying armbar victory over Juan Diaz. Less than two minutes into the match, Dantzler executed the perfect flying armbar, leaving the crowd in awe. The spectacular finish sent Dantzler to the semifinals, where he would face Mauricio Rios.

Brady Branscum defeats Alexis Torres in EBI Overtime

Brady Branscum found his way to the semi-finals with a tactical win over Alexis Torres. After a hard-fought regulation, the match moved to overtime. Branscum capitalized on his back control and quickly secured a rear-naked choke to advance.

Demian Balderrama defeats Christhian Rivas via Armbar

Demian Balderrama’s precise and calculated approach led to a swift armbar submission over Christhian Rivas. Balderrama’s performance was a display of technical jiu-jitsu mastery, sending him through to the semi-finals with minimal effort.

Semi-finals:

Damian Balderrama defeats Brady Branscum via Calf Slicer

In a brief yet explosive semi-final match, Damian Balderrama demonstrated his versatility by securing a calf slicer submission against Brady Branscum. Balderrama, having already showcased his leg-lock skills earlier in the tournament, quickly neutralized Branscum’s attempts to defend, securing his place in the final.

Mauricio Rios defeats Kevin Dantzler via Heel Hook

Mauricio Rios continued his extraordinary run by submitting Kevin Dantzler in the semi-finals. Rios expertly trapped Dantzler in a heel hook, tapping him out with precise leg lock mechanics. The Mexico City crowd cheered as their local champion advanced to the finals.

Finals:

Damian Balderrama defeats Mauricio Rios via Armbar

The final match of EBI 23 saw two spectacular grapplers, Damian Balderrama and Mauricio Rios, square off for the Combat Jiu-Jitsu Featherweight Championship. Both competitors had impressed throughout the tournament, with Balderrama remaining flawless and Rios pulling off multiple upsets, including his win over Matt Mash.

The match began with an intense exchange, with Balderrama attempting early leg entanglements while Rios showed excellent defense. The bout saw numerous scrambles, with both competitors fighting for dominant positions. Rios, the fan-favorite from Mexico, was aggressive but found himself on the defensive as Balderrama worked for leg attacks.

In a pivotal moment, Balderrama transitioned smoothly into a dominant position and isolated Rios’ arm during a scramble. Rios attempted to counter with an ankle lock, but Balderrama maintained control and extended the arm for an armbar submission. The tap came swiftly, securing the championship for Balderrama.

The victory marked Balderrama’s fourth submission of the night, all in regulation time, showcasing his technical precision and submission versatility. In his post-match interview, Balderrama revealed he had been nursing a rib injury leading up to the tournament, making his flawless performance even more remarkable.

“One week and a half ago I didn’t know if I was going to come here,” Balderrama shared. “Little reveal I have a rib injury right now. So I didn’t even know if I was going to be here, let alone perform well.”

Claudio Martin