Hammer Challenge Series 35: The Road to $1,000 Runs Through Howell, New Jersey
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Key Takeaways
- The Hammer Challenge Series returns on June 20th with HCS 35, featuring an anticipated submission grappling tournament.
- Eight competitors will battle in the 185-pound Grand Prix for a chance to win $1,000 and the championship title.
- Expect high competition and an electric atmosphere, with notable participants like Zach Shiomos and Itso Babulaidze.
- HCS 35 will also include a superfight between Chris Sykes and Cole Allem, plus team competitions.
- Tickets are available, and fans can watch live on the HCS Grappling YouTube Membership Channel.
The Hammer Challenge Series returns on June 20th with one of its most anticipated events of the year. HCS 35 brings the promotion’s signature submission grappling tournament format back to Dante Rivera BJJ in Howell, New Jersey, where eight competitors will enter the 185-pound Grand Prix with only one walking away as champion and $1,000 richer.
If the last Grand Prix is any indication, fans should expect a packed venue and an electric atmosphere. Jmurrayathletics was on-site for the previous tournament, where nearly every seat in the building was filled as competitors battled through a bracket filled with submissions, upsets, and breakout performances. The Grand Prix format has become one of the defining attractions of the Hammer Challenge Series, forcing athletes to survive multiple rounds in a single night while testing conditioning, strategy, and grit. It isn’t enough to be good for one match, you have to be the best competitor in the building.
This year’s bracket is already shaping up to be one of the strongest in recent memory. Returning Grand Prix veteran and former finalist Zach Shiomos has officially entered the field, bringing valuable tournament experience and a reputation for staying dangerous deep into a bracket. Also announced is Georgian competitor Itso Babulaidze, who returns to competition with his sights set on the title and prize money. Beyond the Grand Prix itself, HCS 35 will feature a number-one contender superfight between Chris Sykes and Cole Allem, a matchup that could have major implications for future Hammer Challenge Series main events. Team competition will also play a role, with Lucky Cat Grappling Co. already announcing a roster that includes Timmy McCann, Jimmy Bruno, Emanuel Fradkin, Nic Nasso, and Michael Casani.
What separates the Hammer Challenge Series from many regional grappling events is its ability to blend high-level competition with an atmosphere that keeps fans engaged from the opening match until the final submission. The promotion has built a reputation for attracting rising talent, experienced veterans, and athletes looking to make a statement. With a Grand Prix title, cash prize, contender implications, and team pride all on the line, HCS 35 has all the ingredients necessary to produce another memorable night of grappling.
Tickets are available now, and fans unable to attend in person can watch live through the HCS Grappling YouTube Membership Channel. Whether you’re a dedicated grappling fan, an athlete looking to study the region’s best competitors, or someone searching for a high-energy combat sports experience, HCS 35 is shaping up to be one of the premier submission grappling tournaments of the summer. Follow Hammer Challenge Series on Instagram and YouTube for competitor announcements, bracket updates, and event information as June 20th approaches.
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