By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE local grappling scene is set to explode with excitement as the highly anticipated Mats on Fire II, a Kids-Teen Gi and Adults No-Gi Submission Grappling Tournament Fundraiser, has announced its latest lineup set for Nov. 8 at the Roundhouse in Garapan Central Park.
Mats on Fire II will feature a packed schedule of Gi and No-Gi divisions across a wide spectrum of ages and weights, promising non-stop action and high-level technical grappling.
The future of CNMI grappling will be on full display with a robust lineup in the Kids Gi divisions, highlighted by young athletes from various teams including Trench Tech or TT and Saipan Submissions or SS.
In the Pee Wee 1 (40–50 lbs) division, Athena Quitugua (TT) and Tsuyoshiro Tutiy (SS) will vie for the gold medal.
In the Pee Wee 2 (51–60 lbs) division, the battle for gold will be fierce as Uma Naputi (TT) faces off against Robby Guerrero (SS) and Aiden Das Duenas (SS).
The Pee Wee 3 (61–70 lbs) division features a Trench Tech-filled lineup with Ayani Rios, Eleanor Anderson, and Sophie Choi all set to compete in a round-robin format.
In the Kids 1 (81–90 lbs) division, Isaiah Villagomez (SS) and Dayton Marchadesch (CC Backyard) will go head-to-head, while the Kids 2 (91–100 lbs) division includes Kiaya Pangelinan (SS), DeAndra Greenman (TT), and Deon Greenman (TT).
A standout division is the Kids Absolute (101–150 lbs), featuring Iris Quitugua (TT), Kaiya Pangelinan (SS), Jordan Camacho (TT), and Delon Greenman (TT).
The Teens Gi divisions (Ages 13–17) highlight some promising multi-division entrants.
Gerard Naputi (TT), in particular, shows his competitive spirit by entering the Bantamweight, Featherweight, and Lightweight categories, setting him up for a busy day of submission hunting. Leighton Palacios (SS) is also stepping up to challenge in both the Atomweight and Flyweight divisions.
Adult No-Gi battles
The adults will compete under No-Gi rules, where speed, conditioning, and quick submissions are often the key to victory. The adult divisions (Ages 18 and up) are stacked with seasoned competitors.
The lineup follows:
Atomweight (111–120 lbs)
Drey Aldan (TT)
Flyweight (121–130 lbs)
Vladimir Van Der Maas (TT)
Drey Aldan (TT)
Jessica Ma (TT)
Bantamweight (131–140 lbs)
Jimmy Polk (TT)
Daryn Roufs (TT)
Featherweight (141–150 lbs)
Vince Masga (TT)
Lightweight (151–160 lbs)
Vince Masga (TT)
John “Kiyu” Villagomez (SS)
Welterweight (161–170 lbs)
Ernesto Licop (Latte Built)
Middleweight (171–185 lbs)
Isaiah Sablan (LB)
David Cruz (SS)
Norberto Sablan (SS)
Evert Van Der Maas (TT)
Joey Tudela (SS)
Light Heavyweight (186–205 lbs)
Bonny Sagana (LB)
Evert Van Der Maas (TT)
Heavyweight (206–250 lbs)
Vince Masga (TT)
Kier Agda (TT/LB)
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.