POLARIS 5 SUPPORTED BY BATTLES OF LONDON
THE POLARIS PROFESSIONAL JIU-JITSU INVITATIONAL HAS SWIFTLY BECOME ONE OF THE MOST COMPELLING EVENTS ON THE INTERNATIONAL MARTIAL ARTS CIRCUIT. BATTLES OF LONDON SUPPORTED POLARIS' FIRST CARD IN THE CAPITAL, MEETING THE CROWD AND UNVEILING NEW PIECES. CHECK OUT OUR PHOTO REVIEW BELOW AND WATCH THE REPLAY ON UFC FIGHT PASS.
in the main event, two of the most compelling figures in no-gi BJJ, Garry Tonon of John Danaher's’ New York ‘Death Squad’ and Conor McGregor's jiu-jitsu trainer Dillon Danis clash on British shores. This image epitomises the match, with Danis extricating himself from a leglock as Tonon wages his assault.
Both this match and the co-main event featuring Dan Strauss against Jake Shields saw the Death Squad competitors apply a relentless pressure game, leaving no doubt as to the judges' decision despite no submission finish. Photo by Luke Jarvis.
Charismatic UK star Dan Strauss of Mill Hill BJJ, London puts on a game display against grappling maestro and MMA stand-out Jake Shields, but loses by majority decision. Shields' super-coach John Danaher looks on. Photo by Luke Jarvis.
Old school style – 'One Punch' Brad Pickett back in the game already, taking on fellow British UFC veteran Phil Harris. "I wanted to punch him so bad," said Pickett after losing by split decision. All photos by Andrew Jackson unless credited otherwise.
Highly rated British black belt under Roger Gracie, Ross Nicholls grapples Manhattanite John Danaher's student Oliver Taza. The match saw two of the most promising students, from two of the world's top trainers, demonstrate their ample skills before Taza took a decision win.
Contemporary BJJ icon Masakazu Imanari defeats Valmyr Neto by heel hook.
AJ Agazarm played heel for the event and the British crowd lapped it up – here he's on his way to defeating 'The Yorkshire Gripper' Lloyd Cooper by bow and arrow choke.
Sincere thanks to all the supporters who came to say hi, we're flattered by your enthusiasm for what we have going on.
Britain's Bradley Hill of Gracie Barra, Birmingham defeats Finland's Tomi Pulkkanen. Strong sock game by the ref. Photo by Andrew Jackson.
Bristol’s Samantha Cook and Nottingham’s Vanessa English prepare to engage in a skilled clash of top UK Women’s talent. Photo by Andrew Jackson.
The two top-flight women are ushered back to the centre of the mat. Photo by Andrew Jackson.
UFC vet Caol Uno refuses to tap to a rear naked choke from Vitor 'Shaolin' Ribeiro and passes out – Japanese MMA star and and grappling virtuoso Shinya Aoki rushes to his side. Aoki meanwhile fights Ben Askren under Japanese rules in November 2017. Photo by Andrew Jackson.
Uno recovered quickly to raise Ribeiro's hand; a tough guy and a sportsman. Photo by Andrew Jackson.
Polaris fans from Mad Hatters Asylum BJJ in Chichester check out our new Dempsey T-shirts with Battles of London and Paris livery.
Announcer Tone Anderson lets the Polaris crowd in on "Elite clothing for combat sports aficionados…"
Watch the reply now on UFC Fight Pass. Polaris plan to head back to London early in 2018.