challenge

The Metamoris Challenger tournament concept intrigues me.  24 cities across the US and Canada will host qualifying events for 6 weight classes limited to 16 men per class in a round robin format, submission only.  The division winners advance to one of 8 regional events (CAx2, NY, FL, WA, TX, IL and PA) for another round robin format with 500$ on the line and a ticket to the finals.  In the Finals, you have 48 guys in 6 divisions vying for 10 grand, a Metamoris contract and an all expenses paid ticket to the Metamoris International Challenger tournament in 2016.  They just have to come out on top in their weight class, which is easier said then done as I'm sure some real Submission Only Monsters will be signing up.

Why am I intrigued?  

• For starters, because, its not just having your "A" game for one day like at an IBJJF or other tourney.  You have to be consistently good over the course of 3 tournaments in a two month span.  You aren't just gonna catch lightning in a bottle, not over that time period.  
• Secondly, its a round robin format.  Some people are slow starters.  If they lose right off, they will have another chance to showcase their Jiu-Jitsu.  Plus (from experience) it sucks losing right off and being done the rest of the day.  
• The rules encourage submissions.  The most submissions win the group.  In case of a tiebreaker, the fastest submission wins.  If every match in a group is a draw, no one advances.  If you have the same number of wins as another competitor but you have a victory over him, you advance.  Hopefully this all translates to people attacking and not just stalling or sitting back and waiting for something to happen.

I feel like a tournament like this which has a restricted number of entrants and is spread out over 2 months combined with rules to encourage submissions and with the Metamoris people (Ralek) behind it, it might have a chance to become something BIG and possibly give the IBJJF or UAEJJF a run for their money.  It's going to be streamed online and hyped.  To me at least, it looks like you will get a "National" or "North American Champion" out of this, sort of like the the NCAA basketball tourney or a World Cup but only for Jiu-Jitsu.

On a side note, Brian signed up for this and I am excited to see how he does.  His No-Gi game is pretty solid.  I'm thinking of heading out to watch his qualifying tournament.  He took first place in his No-Gi division and second place in the Gi at this past weekend's American Nationals in Vegas.