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The ADCC Dallas Open on June 15th, 2024, was marred by a post-match brawl that saw police intervene and raised concerns about professionalism in the sport.
Following a competitive match in the over-100kg repechage round, tensions flared. Vince Barbosa, trailing in points, attempted a last-second maneuver but failed to score as time expired. As he stood up, Barbosa stepped on his defeated opponent, Jerhett Lee, sparking an immediate reaction.
Lee confronted Barbosa, and the situation quickly escalated. Several individuals became embroiled in the altercation, with some attempting to separate the fighters while others appeared to escalate further. Footage circulating online shows one competitor, believed to be Kieran Kichuk, throwing a punch into the crowd.
This incident is a black mark on an event that otherwise showcased high-level grappling. It's not the first time an ADCC Open has been tainted by post-match violence, and such behavior threatens the sport's aspirations of becoming fully professional. Sponsors may be wary of associating themselves with events where such outbursts occur.
ADCC has a history of issuing lifetime bans for similar incidents, and head organizer Mo Jassim has already condemned the actions. B-Team Jiu-Jitsu co-founder Craig Jones, Barbosa's gym affiliation, echoed these sentiments, stating on Reddit, "This is very dumb, my guy shouldn't have punched anyone."
While the event showcased impressive grappling, the brawl overshadows the athletic achievements. This incident highlights the need for stricter measures to ensure a professional and sportsmanlike atmosphere at future ADCC Opens.