"SNOWMAN" SCOOPS COOL £10,000

JEFF “The Snowman” Monson, American martial arts fighter, was crowned 10k Ground Clash Champion at the Hackney Empire on Sunday after trouncing all opposition out of sight, writes Ravender Sembhy.

The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) competition saw 32 hard men from all over the world fight it out for a £10,000 prize.

BJJ is a fighting technique that focuses on grappling and ground-based attacks. The aim is to force the opponent into submission by gaining a dominant position.

Washington-born Monson looked in menacing form from the outset and was always going to be difficult to defeat.

He cruised through the group stages with ease, dismissing English heavyweight Tom Blackledge along the way. The Snowman confirmed his winning credentials in the semi-finals by defeating the hotly tipped Brazilian, Leo Negao, in an engrossing encounter that for many was the highlight of the event.

Monson went on to meet another Brazilian in the final, Braulio Estima, in what proved to be a gripping climax to the competition. The well-built Estima seemed dead and buried at three-nil down at the halfway mark, and the American shored up his advantage with some classic grappling – including a pull to the ground that many in the back row would have felt.

With five minutes gone Estima looked like he had given up the ghost, despite continuous support from the huge Brazilian contingent that had come to cheer on their hero. Monson, built like a heavyweight boxer, refused to allow Estima to utilise his much-lauded sweep manoeuvre, which is known as the key weapon in his armoury.

With 30 seconds to go it was clear that Monson would be walking away with the £10,000. A cut over Estima’s eye with two seconds on the clock only added injury to the Brazilian’s now inevitable defeat.

Speaking immediately after the fight, Monson said: “I felt good out there. Braulio is a tough opponent and I feel very fortunate to win because he is better than me, no doubt. I’ll definitely be back next year to defend my title.”

Jonathan Buffong, long-time BJJ reporter, said of the competition: “The guys competing out there have fought to a good standard. It’s good that the money is increasing because some of these men are very poor and from very tough backgrounds – if they weren’t fighters they would either be in jail or dead. They are inspirational. And it’s good to see that organised fighting, which gives a constructive outlet to some very destructive people, is taking place in Hackney.”

In typical East End fashion, while Group Two fights were getting underway in the ring, a large-scale punch-up took place between a feuding family in the crowd. A father and son were involved in a family bust-up with two cousins, with whom they exchanged a number of heavy blows before security stepped in and ejected the family from the Empire.

The capacity crowd was also treated to a special appearance from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legend Roger Gracie. Gracie, whose family founded BJJ, was backstage enjoying the action and received a standing ovation when he appeared in front of the audience.

Gracie said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to see this event in the UK. There is good progress in BJJ in the UK.”