2018 Abu Dhabi King of Mats

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• ▸ Across the 44 recorded matchups at the 2018 Abu Dhabi King of Mats, only 6 ended by submission. The AJP ruleset showed its influence, with 16 wins coming from points and 14 decided by advantage alone.
• ▸ Submissions accounted for a 14 percentage submission rate at this event, and the taps were spread thin: the recorded finishes included one Leg Lock, one Triangle Choke, one Kneebar, one Gi Choke From Back, and one Armbar.
• ▸ Roberto Abreu and Leo Saggioro both racked up 5 wins to lead the event, and neither did it with a submission. In a bracket where advantages and decisions carried the day, control and positional scoring got them to the top.
• ▸ Alexander Trans stood out for finishing ability, going 4 wins with 2 by submission. One of those was a Gi Choke From Back over Roberto Abreu in the Heavyweight 3rd Place Match.
• ▸ The Lightweight final saw Leonardo Saggioro edge Gianni Grippo by Decision. Grippo had earned his spot by beating Isaque Paiva on Points in the Semi-Finals, so a close call was fitting for that bracket.