The middleweight mixed martial arts fighter conquered two opponents before losing in the semifinals.
“My first two matches went well… I always want to finish my opponents. I don’t like going to the judges and/or the scoreboard,” said Camacho in an email to Marianas Variety. “Unfortunately, I didn’t submit my opponents but beat them via points.”
Camacho won 6-0 in the first match and 4-0 in the second.
“The [third] match was actually a super fun match! We started out grip fighting on top trying to get dominant grips for a takedown then he ended up pulling guard. When he pulled guard I immediately started to pass and as I passed I got swept over to my back and he got two (points)!” recalled Camacho.
Points were earned via takedown or sweep (two pts.), north and south position or side control (three pts.), or mount and back mount (four pts.). Competitors who gain near-sweeps, near-takedowns, or near-submissions had the advantage.
“I tried to go for my butterfly sweep but it ended up into a scramble and we both ended back up on our feet grip fighting again. After a few minutes I went for an Ouchi Mata Throw and threw him, but I over committed and got rolled over to my back so he got two (points). We worked our way around and got into a scramble and he got a single and took me down once more for another two points,” he added.
He was down 6-0, three minutes and 30 seconds into the match.
“While I was on my back I secured my deep half guard position and rocked up to a single leg and swept back for my two points of the fight. After I swept I immediately started to pass and passed his guard getting leaving me one point behind. With less than 15 seconds left I tried to go to mount to get my four points and ended up passing again and getting side control for my extra three,” Camacho continued.
Time ran out however, and Camacho lost by a close score, 6-5.
The Abu Dhabi Trials’ rules and format were similar to those of the International BJJ Federation. Each round however, was five minutes instead of seven.
“I had to change my game up for a faster pace fight,” said Camacho. “I’m disappointed in my performance and my results from my semifinals match. I know I’m capable of performing way better! But just like Master Lloyd says, ‘Things are never as good as they seem or as bad as they seem so take everything in stride.’ I’ve watched my semifinals match a load of times and have taken notes on the mistakes I’ve made. I’ll come back better!”
He currently trains with Team Lloyd Irvin, a BJJ organization located in Maryland.
The Trench Tech-raised fighter now looks forward to the Pan American Championships in Long Beach, California, New York Open Jiu-Jitsu International Championships, and the 2011 World Championships, among other events.
“I cannot wait for the next tournament. I’m hungry and wanna jump back in there. The experience I gained from this tournament was awesome. Little things that make a huge difference and can cost you the match,” said Camacho.
“Thank you to my team and Master Lloyd for all the hard work and Cuki and Trench Tech for helping me out with this tournament. I wouldn’t have been able to compete without the help of Cuk and Trench Tech! Thank you guys. [To] my family and friends, thank you for the support.”
Camacho visited Saipan in December, 2010 to take part in Trench Tech’s Fan Appreciation Night as a guest referee.
