On July 10, 2009, Team Hammer Coach Rodney Guignet competed in the first-ever UFC sponsored Grapplers Quest tournament at the UFC Fan Expo in Las Vegas, NV.

Rodney competed in the Masters No Gi Advanced Cruiserweight Division for 40-49 year olds weighing 180 to 199 pounds. This division was one of the largest and highest levels of competition that Rodney has ever competed in.

Rodney dominated his opponent in his first match.  After taking his opponent down, Rodney locked him in a choke position.  He continued to transition into different choke positions to earn more points.  Rodney defeated his opponent with a score of 9-0.

During the second match, Rodney’s opponent matched him physically and technically.  Rodney’s opponent defended two takedowns with a guillotine choke, which Rodney was able to escape before points were awarded.  With 30 seconds left in the match and the score tied 0-0, Rodney and his opponent returned to a standing position, both men looking for a takedown opportunity.  With 5 seconds to go, Rodney shot in for a successful takedown and gained dominant position to score 2 points before the bell and win the match.

The third match was the finals for 1st and 2nd place.  After the second match, Rodney was feeling the effects of the guillotine chokes.  In the third match, Rodney’s opponent jumped guard and Rodney pulled in a single leg.  His opponent sprawled and caught Rodney in a guillotine choke.  Although Rodney could breathe, he feared his trachea was damaged from the second match and did not want to risk serious injury, so he tapped.

Rodney took 2nd place in his division.  Congratulations Rodney on a job well done.