Didn’t have Saturday plans? Now you do! And the best part, you don’t have to travel far! For the first time ever, Jiu-Jitsu will take center stage in Butler Missouri as Scandalous Jiu-Jitsu is slated to host the Butler Submission Series on Saturday, April 18th at the Bates County Elks Lodge.
This event is one to get excited about, as there will be more than 40 featured matches throughout the day with competitors ranging in age from 7 years old to 40+. This is a FREE EVENT to attend, it begins at 11:00am. ChuckWagon Food truck will be joining in on the action as well, so bring an appetite for some good grappling, and some good food! Seating at the venue will be limited, spectators are welcomed to come and go as they please.
According to Scandalous instructor and coach Todd Hecox, fans can expect to see a strong mix of local talent, including 19 competitors from Butler’s Scandalous Gym, along with athletes from the gym’s sister location in Lebanon and some others traveling in. “We’ve got a lot of interest,” Hecox said. “Everybody is guaranteed at least two matches, and some will get three.”
The event will follow a submission-only format, meaning the first competitor to earn a submission wins. Matches will last five minutes, with an overtime round if needed. “To my knowledge, this is the first time Butler has had something like this for jiu-jitsu,” Hecox said. “There have been MMA fights over the years, but this gives people a chance to come out and really see what jiu-jitsu is all about and watch it performed at a high level, and see if it is something they are interested in.”
While the event is free to attend, Hecox emphasized that it is designed with families in mind and offers a welcoming atmosphere for anyone curious about the sport. “We’ve got kids competing, adults competing — it’s really for everybody,” Hecox said. “You don’t have to come for the whole day. Come out, check it out.”
Although organizing the event has come with its share of challenges, including some unexpected venue changes, Hecox said the hard work has been worth it.
“The coolest part has been seeing how much our people have grown, we have never had a problem with finding people wanting to compete” he said. “Some of these guys work 10-hour shifts and still come in and train. The kids, the adults — we’ve got people from all walks of life. Some kids may not even talk at school, but when they walk into the gym, we’re all family. We are all just here to choke each other.”
Though Hecox is a decorated competitor himself who recently competed, he said Saturday is not about him. “This one’s for our people,” he said. “I’m excited to watch them go against unfamiliar faces and see where we’re at. We’ve only been open nine months, but our people are hungry to compete.”
Hecox also gave special thanks to gym owner Joey Scanlan, as well as Travis Courter, Steve Crawford, Gary Ratliff and the Elks Lodge for helping make the event possible.
For Butler residents looking for something new this weekend, Saturday’s Submission Series promises a full day of action, energy and community support, go check it out!
This article is sponsored by C&S Graphics, go follow them on Facebook!
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