Schwartzapfel Conquers Pasadena "King of Subs" Qualifier

The Road to Vegas made its third stop this weekend in Pasadena, California, and if the first two qualifiers were a spark, the PGF Season 9 Qualifier at King of Subs was the explosion. Continuing the trend of insane pacing and skyrocketing submission rates, the Pasadena bracket proved to be the toughest test of the season so far.

Emerging from the smoke was a man who knows exactly what it takes to survive in the PGF tank: Sam Schwartzapfel.

Return of the Vet: Schwartzapfel Goes 5-0

Sam Schwartzapfel is no stranger to the pressure of the Professional Grappling Federation. A Season 5 playoff contender and a roster member for Seasons 6 and 7, he entered this qualifier with a distinct advantage: experience. But it wasn't just veteran savvy that got him the gold—it was evolved aggression.

Schwartzapfel looked sharper and more dangerous than ever, navigating a minefield of a bracket to post a flawless 5-0 record. He didn't just win; he finished, securing 4 Submissions (all Breaks) along the way.

His run culminated in a sequence that will likely be played on highlight reels all season. Facing a gritty Joshua Squires in the finals, Schwartzapfel sealed his Golden Ticket with one of the rarest and most painful submissions in the game: a Banana Split at the 3:25 mark. It was the perfect exclamation point on a dominant performance, proving that Schwartzapfel isn't just back—he's better.

The Standouts: A Deep Field of Killers

While Schwartzapfel took the crown, the depth of talent in Pasadena was undeniable.

Adam Franck (10th Planet Las Vegas): Franck brought major energy to the mats, backed by a familiar face in his corner: Derek Rayfield. Rayfield, a breakout star from Season 8 who has already signed with the Philadelphia Phenoms for Season 9, clearly made an impact on his teammate. Franck looked poised and dangerous, riding that momentum deep into the bracket.

Joshua Squires (Russ Miura): Squires was the definition of resilience. After an earlier loss, he battled his way back to the finals, proving he has the gas tank and the heart for the PGF format. Don't be surprised to see his name pop up in the draft conversation.

Will Coughlin (10th Planet Redlands): If there was an award for "Fastest Hands," Coughlin would take it. He showed massive future potential with a terrifyingly fast submission game, including a blink-and-you-missed-it 22-second Aoki Lock and a 58-second Straight Ankle Lock.

Clayton Wimer (Verde Valley BJJ): Wimer didn't leave with gold, but he might have left with the most fans. His aggressive, offensive-minded style generated the day's highest density of highlight-reel moments.

Jared Fekete (Syndicate MMA): Fekete brought a heavy, suffocating wrestling style that kept the pace high and the action constant, making him a nightmare matchup for anyone looking to pull guard.

The Road So Far: A Season of Finishers

With three qualifiers down, the roster for Season 9 is shaping up to be a collection of elite finishers. Here is a quick look at who Sam Schwartzapfel joins in the winner's circle:

The Auburn Qualifier (Alabama Twisters): Anthony "TV Dinner" Salisbury The season opener in Auburn saw Anthony Salisbury earn the nickname "TV Dinner" for a simple reason: he cooks his opponents quickly. Salisbury went 5-0, clearing the bracket with a "heat-seeking missile" pace and sub-minute finishes that left no time for commercials.

The Gatlinburg Qualifier (Chewjitsu Open): Travis Haven In Tennessee, Travis Haven put on a masterclass in efficiency. He went 5-0, submitting every single opponent he faced. Perhaps most terrifying was his speed; his total work time for all five matches was just 3 minutes and 12 seconds, including a 19-second Straight Ankle Lock in the finals.

What's Next?

With Salisbury, Haven, and now Schwartzapfel locked in, the pressure is mounting for the remaining hopefuls. The standard has been set: if you want a spot in PGF Season 9, you can't just win—you have to finish.