Mo Jassim, the ADCC promoter, has broken his silence on the widely circulated incident that unfolded at the 2026 ADCC Atlanta Open, issuing a formal statement that confirms indefinite suspensions for two athletes and a voluntary withdrawal for a third.
The incident centered on a match between 19-year-old American brown belt Anthony O’Dell Jr. and Carlos Sainz in the Men’s Advanced Under 143 lbs (65 kg) division finals on May 30, 2026. O’Dell had put together a strong day on the mats, submitting Aidan Collins before winning a 2-0 points decision over Dillon Smith to reach the final. Sainz, who had defeated four opponents on the day, was arguably the tournament’s standout performer heading into that final match.
During their bout, a standing back-take led to a scramble reversal that multiple observers compared to the well-known Marcelo Garcia vs. Rizzo sequence. The sequence escalated into a disorganized pile-up near the mat’s edge. It was during and after this moment that the situation deteriorated beyond the rules of competition. Sainz was ultimately awarded the gold medal after O’Dell was disqualified, though the precise trigger for that disqualification, whether an illegal slam during the match or conduct that followed, was not officially clarified in the immediate aftermath.
What happened next spread quickly across the grappling community. Eyewitnesses described a confrontation between competitors and those in the crowd or corner areas, with one account alleging a cornerman physically entered the mat and confronted a competitor. The exact nature of that contact remained disputed publicly, but the mat intrusion itself was reported consistently.
Calls for serious consequences followed almost immediately, with voices across the community demanding bans for those involved.
Jassim‘s statement, released weeks after the incident, addressed both the facts and the process that led to the outcome.
“The events that occurred at the ADCC Atlanta Open were unacceptable,” he wrote. “The incident began with an illegal slam during competition and escalated into a physical altercation involving athletes, coaches, parents and spectators. That conduct has no place at an ADCC event and falls well below the standards expected of everyone involved in our sport.”
Jassim noted that the delay in his public response was deliberate.
“I have intentionally refrained from publicly commenting on this matter while efforts were underway to fully evaluate the incident and explore a potential resolution between the parties involved,” he explained. “Over the past several weeks, I have personally spoken with all parties involved, reviewed the facts, listened to each perspective and worked toward a resolution that balanced accountability, fairness and the long-term interests of the sport.”
A neutral third party was brought in to facilitate discussions and while a framework for resolution was developed and an agreement in principle was reached, the process ultimately concluded without a final signed resolution between parties. Jassim acknowledged the effort nonetheless provided meaningful context for ADCC’s final decision.
“What makes this situation particularly disappointing is that the individuals involved are respected members of the grappling community who have dedicated years to the sport as competitors, coaches and mentors,” Jassim wrote. “They knew better, I expected better and the grappling community deserved better.”
The sanctions announced are significant. Anthony O’Dell Sr. and Anthony O’Dell Jr. are both suspended from participation in ADCC Opens indefinitely. Carlos Sainz, for his part, has agreed to voluntarily step away from ADCC Opens participation. All three will have their status reevaluated in six months, with any future participation contingent on circumstances at that time and the broader standards of the community.
Jassim made clear that ADCC’s core values are not negotiable.
“Athlete safety, sportsmanship and professionalism are non-negotiable. Illegal conduct during competition and violence outside of competition will not be tolerated,” the statement read.
It also acknowledged that the incident has already carried real costs, affecting the athletes themselves, their families and the wider community that follows and supports the sport.
Jassim closed by stating the matter is now considered resolved, with ADCC’s attention returning to competition and the continued development of grappling at all levels.
Full Statement:
