Polaris 38: Welterweight Grand Prix

Mateusz Szczecinski claimed the Polaris Welterweight Championship by defeating PJ Barch via unanimous decision in the grand prix final — the third career meeting between the two. Their rivalry carries a layered history: Szczecinski defeated Barch via Armbar at Polaris 31: North America vs Europe in 2025, itself a reversal of a prior points loss to Barch at ADCC 2024. With the trilogy now in his favor, Szczecinski established himself as the definitive welterweight on the Polaris roster.

His path to the final was built entirely on submission finishes. In the quarterfinal, he tapped Deandre Corbe with an Ankle Lock, before dispatching Michael Liera Jr. in the semifinal with his trademark 'shotgun' Armbar — a rapid, high-percentage entry that left little time for Liera Jr. to react. Both finishes underscored Szczecinski's ability to convert positional pressure into immediate submission threats.

Barch entered Polaris 38 as the returning welterweight tournament champion from Polaris 27 and delivered composed performances throughout the bracket. He outworked Taylor Pearman over three rounds to earn a unanimous decision in the quarterfinal, then demonstrated his finishing ability by submitting Tommy Langaker via Rear Naked Choke in the semifinal. In the final, however, Szczecinski's relentless submission-oriented pressure proved the decisive factor, and the judges awarded the decision to the Polish competitor.

Quarterfinals

The eight-man field brought together an international mix of established names and emerging contenders. Szczecinski opened with an Ankle Lock finish over Deandre Corbe, setting the tone for his submission-heavy campaign. Barch edged Taylor Pearman via unanimous decision in a measured, tactical contest. Michael Liera Jr. controlled Carson Coles throughout their bout, earning a unanimous decision, while Tommy Langaker advanced past Sebastian Patyk via split decision in the bracket's closest quarterfinal.

Patyk was the only non-invitee in the field, having earned his place by winning the Polaris Contenders tournament. His road to Polaris 38 included a run to the Ocean BJJ Pro Championship 2025 semifinals and a victory over an ADCC veteran, making his quarterfinal appearance a well-earned opportunity on a high-profile stage. Coles, a rising presence on the UK grappling circuit, pushed Liera Jr. in their quarterfinal but was unable to overcome the experience advantage.

Semifinals

The semifinals produced contrasting finishes that highlighted the depth of finishing ability in the field. Szczecinski wasted little time against Liera Jr., landing his shotgun Armbar early for a rapid submission that sent a clear message heading into the final. On the other side of the bracket, Barch applied sustained pressure to Langaker before securing a Rear Naked Choke finish, demonstrating his ability to grind opponents down and capitalize on back control.

Final

The grand prix final brought Szczecinski and Barch together for the third time in their careers, with the Polaris Welterweight Championship on the line. Szczecinski controlled the exchanges and applied consistent submission pressure throughout, and the judges returned a unanimous decision in his favor. The victory completed a dominant run through the bracket and cemented Szczecinski's status as welterweight champion.

Sarah Galvao captured the Polaris Women's Bantamweight Championship by submitting Zara Di Tofano via Arm Triangle Choke. The finish showcased Galvao's technical precision on the ground — her ability to establish top control, cut off space, and apply a tight choke spoke to a well-rounded and disciplined ground game. The victory came in her second appearance for the promotion, having debuted at Polaris 36, and she leaves the event as Polaris Women's Bantamweight Champion.

Submission Finishes

The preliminary card delivered a string of emphatic finishes. Ben Robson produced one of the night's standout moments, securing a last-second Armbar against Jimmy Wheeler and earning the tap in the dying seconds of the bout — a reminder that no lead is safe until the final bell. Emily Leyva submitted Yakira Perez-Crespon via Kneebar, and Madison Murphy secured the same technique against Buffy Price, signaling a strong leg lock presence across the card. Jonathan Lewis finished Dylan O'Brien via Heel Hook, Peter Shamarkou tapped Ryan Brinkley with a Triangle Choke, and Thomas Clifford closed out his bout against Yalcin Sucu via Rear Naked Choke.

Decision Results

The remaining preliminary bouts were settled on the scorecards. Danilo Rodrigues defeated Rhys Richardson via unanimous decision, Nata Tenca defeated Mark Hibbard via unanimous decision, Cormac Anderson defeated Ash Gibson via unanimous decision, Max Armstrong edged Chris Leyendeckers via split decision, Ana Maria Arboleda defeated Ashley Bendle via unanimous decision, Hugo Dvorecky defeated Joe Matthews via unanimous decision, and Asim Hussain defeated Gavin Stewart via unanimous decision.