Blue belts at the NY BJJ Pro. Photo: Erin Herle

On Oct. 25 the IBJJF presented a first: cash prizes to the winners of non-black belt divisions. The Pro League has been around a few years and offers top-ranked black belts an invitation to fight for thousands of dollars. While the amount is less, the IBJJF allowed male, female, adult and masters divisions the chance to compete for hundreds.

Here are the winners of the divisions and how much cash they earned:

$400

Male blue belt adult light absolute – Michael Slabinski – David Jacobs Jiu-Jitsu Team

Male blue belt adult heavy absolute – Devhonte M. Johnson – Carvalho BJJ Academy

Male blue belt master 1 absolute – Aronicimo Richotti – Buffalo BJJ Academy

Male blue belt master 2 absolute – James Genero – Alliance Marcelo Garcia

Male blue belt master 3 absolute – Marquell Haynes – Clockwork Jiu-Jitsu

Male purple belt master 1 absolute – James Robert Kearns – Round Table BJJ

Male purple belt master 2 absolute – Jeff Holman – Alliance Marcelo Garcia

Male purple belt master 3 absolute – Andrew Colombos – Soul Fighters BJJ Connecticut

Male brown belt master 1 absolute – Philippe E Balmant – Alliance Marcelo Garcia

Male brown belt master 2 absolute – Matheus B Olivera – Kioto BJJ NYC

Male brown belt master 3 absolute – Michael Mullero – Kioto BJJ NYC

Female blue belt adult absolute  – Jacynthe Maloney – Brazilian Top Team

Female purple belt adult absolute – Jessica Swanson – Soul Fighters BJJ Connecticut

Female brown belt adult absolute – Aarae Alexander – Team Lloyd Irvin

$600

Male purple belt adult light absolute – Shane Hill-Taylor – Team Lloyd Irvin

Male purple belt adult heavy absolute – Isaque Bahiense Braz – Nova União

$800

Male brown belt adult light absolute – Zata Toscano – Alliance NYC

Male brown belt heavy absolute – Erberth Santos de Mesquita – Team Lloyd Irvin

To see the full results visit here: http://static.ibjjfdb.com/Campeonato/000311/en-US/Results.pdf

To see a full photo album of the action go here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.983360938345905.1073742072.192240324124641

Abu Dhabi Trials New York. Photo: Dan Rod

The New York Abu Dhabi WPJJC Trials are set for Oct. 20 at Queens College in Flushing, NY. The registration deadline is Monday, Oct. 14.

Compete for a chance to win a paid trip to the main event in Abu Dhabi next year. Prizes at the trial include cash and a Fuji gi for all competitors who win their division while the travel packages are given out to winners of specific divisions. The total of 23 packages will be distributed as shown:

Don’t miss your chance as time is running out. Registration for the East Coast USA trials ends Oct. 14.

To register for the Abu Dhabi – USA East Coast Trials go to www.apjj.org