On August 2, 2015 FIVE SUPER LEAGUE, a relatively new tournament circuit in the United States ran a Pay-Per-View Event with two pro divisions, an 8-man Nogi Division and an 8-woman Gi Division, plus 2 super fights.
FIVE Super League has now entered the map as one of the few BJJ events that offers equal pay for men and women, a concept promoted with a change.org petition Support Women’s BJJ instituted by Black Belt World Champion Dominyka Obelenyte (Marcelo Garcia).
FIVE SL offered the following prize packages:
1st Place – $10,000
2nd Place – $5,000
3rd Place – $2,500
The eight black belt women invited to compete all had to agree to weigh-in under 145lbs, not a difficult feat for any of the ladies chosen. Nyjah Rollins (formerly Easton – Team Lloyd Irvin) overcame Leanna Dittrich (Fight Sports) in Round 1 to meet up with newer black belt Karen Antunes (Check Mat) in the semi-final, who herself was coming off a big upset win (last minute triangle submission) – over 2015 Middleweight World Champion Luiza Monteiro (Cicero Costha).
The other side of the bracket saw 2015 Featherweight World Champion Mackenzie Dern (Gracie Humaita) moving on to the semi-finals past Tammi Musumeci (American Top Team) to take on Fabiana Borges (Gracie Barra) – who herself had bested new black belt Chelsea Bainbridge-Donner (Atos) in the first round.
Karen Antunes continued to shine in the semis with a win over veteran Nyjah Rollins, putting her in the final against Mackenzie Dern, who had displaced Fabiana with a knee bar. However, the event was not over for Nyjah and Fabiana as they would fight for the 3rd place prize. Nyjah emerged the victor and is bringing home the $2500 prize after a 4-0 win over the Gracie Barra Black Belt. The final match was over in little more than the blink of an eye, ending in less than 30 seconds with a quick toe-hold. Mackenzie Dern now holds one more championship title, this one with a generous $10,000 added to her pockets as well.
The black belt matches for women are getting increasingly close and tough as the skill gap deepens over time and FIVE picked a great format to help showcase this by alternating between men’s and women’s matches to not only ensure equal pay…but equal viewership as well.
Welcome to the 21st Century, my friends.
