Team Ravenous grappler, (and soon to be fighter..) Sarah Payant took home another medal to add to her collection. She took 3rd place, in the women's beginner 135lb division, on Saturday Oct. 16, 2010, at Twin Rivers Casino, in Lincoln RI.
With the medal, Sarah kept Team Ravenous's medal streak alive, and added to her now growing, personal collection, that includes her 3rd place medal she won last year in the Novice division. In her first attempt early this year in the step up to the beginner division, Sarah didn't medal. Although she admittedly didn't do her best job grappling, to her defense, she was unfortunately left without a coach, as I had a family wedding out of state, and Todd had just undergone back surgery.
This time would be different, as both coaches were present. Sarah had stepped up her grappling, in the weeks prior to the competition, and I was confident that she would do well.
In her first match, Sarah drew the eventual 1st place medalist. She was older, and bigger than Sarah, and fought out of BMAC. Sarah started great, as she instantly scored the take down. She couldn't capitalize on top position, however, and both grapplers returned to their feet. After more hand and clinch fighting, her opponent scored a take down of her own. After some stalling, then a sweep from Sarah, she eventually tried for an arm bar attempt, that never had Sarah in any trouble. The women once again were on their feet, and Sarah was down on points. Shooting in for the clinch, Sarah's head smashed into her opponents mouth. Both fighters backed up, and blood began to stream down Sarah's face! Her opponent wasn't wearing a mouthpiece, and one of her teeth punctured Sarah's head. Coach Selva applied pressure, and the bleeding stopped. The cut wasn't bad, but if it kept bleeding Sarah wouldn't be able to continue. The medics checked it out, and asked Sarah if she was going to continue...there was no question, as she jumped back onto the mats to get back to the match. Unfortunately there was only about 15 seconds left, and Sarah couldn't secure a take down, and lost on points.
In the second and final match, Sarah would be the bigger competitor. This was also for the 3rd place medal, so Sarah was not going to lose! The fight was contested for the most part in the clinch, as both women didn't seem comfortable shooting low. Sarah took advantage of bad position on her opponents part, and latched on what looked to be a deep fight ending guillotine choke while standing. She then jumped guard, and I thought it was over. To her credit though, the opponent would not tap, and eventually escaped. Scrambles ensued, and the fighters were back to the feet, with the match winding down, and both in a tie. No one took another point, so overtime it was! Both women were tired, and it was another clinch battle. That is until Sarah wrenched on another tight standing guillotine!!! Her opponent, trying to avoid the choke, ran back out of bounds. I screamed to the ref, although he already knew...this would be a disqualification, as the rules clearly state, you may not go out of bounds while in a deep submission attempt, or you will be disqualified. We knew it was just instinct, no mal intent, but rules are rules...Sarah was winning any way ;).
We at Team Ravenous are very proud of Sarah and her personal accomplishments. Sarah will continue to compete in NAGA events, but we are looking forward to her making her amateur MMA debut in Feb. 2011 for Premier Fighting Championships!!! Check back soon and often, for video of Sarah's matches!!
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