Metamoris 5 is scheduled for Long Beach, California on November 5th and the main event will feature Kazushi Sakuraba taking on old rival Renzo Gracie. BetDSI’s boards are favoring a draw in this one. The tie in the 20 minute match is at (-150), with both Sakuraba and Gracie coming back at (+275).
Metamoris has hit on a successful formula of using legendary grapplers in online PPV events that attract a lot of attention. The group also has an undeniable tie to the UFC in that on several occasions fighters under UFC contract have competed under the Metamoris flag, and that doesn’t happen without UFC approval. For this card, they have tapped UFC Welterweight contender Rory MacDonald, as he takes on elite grappler J.T. Torres. MacDonald is currently the underdog at (+800), with Torres favored at (-250). Under the no points format where all matches going the full limit are declared a draw, the tie is considered more likely to happen at (+249) than a MacDonald win by submission. In other words, no one expects anything out of MacDonald other than a wrestlers ability to ‘hug it out’ and that won’t win at Metamoris.
Speaking of hugging it out, Sakuraba and Gracie are expected to do just that. Both men are now north of 45 years old and their competition days are years in their past. But this is what is appealing about the Metamoris all-grappling format is that it is still feasible to compete at a high level under these rules. There is a lot of history between the two fighters going back to their heyday in PRIDE, but that history has likely morphed into a mutual respect that could take some of the edge off of the competition. It is a risk Metamoris and the consumers of this type of event run, and that is that they are buying a fight where rather than compete to the fullest, the draw allows a face saving way out for both sides.
Another format that makes Metamoris watch-able is their ‘secret match.’ Last event, broadcast team member and decorated grappler Jeff Glover left the announcers table to take part in the ‘secret match’ , so look for some surprises on the mats for this one coming up as well. Kenny Florian, a BJJ black belt and well known UFC vet is also part of the announcing team.
