DENNIS, Miss - Local athletes TJ Hardin and Levi Raper are set to compete at the prestigious PGF 7 Qualifier in Nashville, TN on September 14th. This event serves as a gateway to a highly coveted spot in Coach Brandon Mccaghren's tournament, which has evolved from a modest house gathering into a major competition with a staggering $100,000 grand prize at stake.

Beyond the financial reward, the tournament offers athletes a chance to gain significant exposure and build a social media following, marking it as a career-defining moment for many grapplers.

Organized by 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu's Brandon Mccaghren, the PGF (Professional Grappling Federation) has grown exponentially in popularity and prestige. The event, which features competitors of all levels from rising stars to highly experienced black belts, provides a challenging battleground for dedicated grapplers like Hardin and Raper. Those interested in the tournament's evolution and significance can find documentaries on Mccaghren's YouTube channel, where the transformation from a small-scale event to a major grappling competition is showcased.

TJ Hardin, one of the competitors, shared his motivation for entering the PGF 7 Qualifier: "As far as my part in it, I'm doing it to get more tournament experience because this is what I'm trying to do as a career, and also to test myself against some of the best grapplers out there to see how far I've come and how far there's left to go. It's gonna be some heat, but I literally can't lose because my primary goal for doing this one is to gather data about myself and refine my game for the next one.:

Hardin's words reflect his commitment to growth and readiness to challenge himself against some of the top talent in the sport.

Raper states, “To get here, I have just trained and obsessed over the sport. I want to show that this area can produce grapplers who are exciting and talented (while also looking this good).”

For both him and Raper, this tournament is not just about winning but about continuous improvement and gaining valuable experience that can propel them to the next level.

Coach Michael Hodgin, who has been guiding Hardin and Raper throughout their preparation. He emphasized the significance of this opportunity: "Since day one when they walked in and became my first students, this has been the goal, almost two years in the making—to get the opportunity to showcase their jiu-jitsu at a high level. They have no doubt put in the work to deserve this opportunity, and I know they both will shock a lot of people."

His confidence in his students' abilities and dedication is evident, underscoring the hard work and discipline they've put in to reach this point.

As Hardin and Raper prepare to step onto the mats, the PGF 7 Qualifier promises intense and thrilling competition, with top-level black belts and skilled grapplers all vying for their chance to compete in the main event. For Hardin and Raper, this qualifier is a crucial step toward gaining the recognition they deserve and furthering their careers in jiu-jitsu.

With their preparation complete, all eyes are on these two local talents as they aim to make their mark and prove they belong among the elite. Their journey to Nashville represents not only a pursuit of personal goals but a testament to the dedication and hard work that defines the sport of jiu-jitsu.