Sid Tavolaro Wins Finishers 155lbs Bracket – Money in the Bank Recap
Share
If you read my Finishers 155lbs Bracket Preview last week, you might remember that I called Sid Tavolaro the favorite and Nick Digiacomo the dark horse. Well… they both made it to the finals. I'm not going to be so brash as to start this article off by saying I told you so however.... ANYWAY.
Sid walked into the Money in the Bank bracket on July 26 and walked out with $1,000 cash and one of the most dominant tournament runs we’ve seen on the Finishers circuit. But the story of the day wasn’t just about dominance, it was also about heart, as Nick Digiacomo battled through a loaded bracket, undersized but undeterred, to take second.
Sid Tavolaro’s Path: Clinical, Fast, and Flawless
Sid opened the tournament against Yorgos Vassiliou, locking up a quick armbar. In the quarterfinals, he submitted Lucas Jones, another armbar. His semifinal was an all-Standard Jiu-Jitsu clash with Logan Hicks, and after a short leg exchange, Sid finished the match with a tight heel hook.
By the time he entered the finals, Sid had spent less than two minutes total on the mat. Three matches, three finishes, no wasted motion.
Nick Digiacomo’s Run: Undersized, Underdog, Unstoppable
On the other side of the bracket, Nick Digiacomo proved why we dubbed him the dark horse. Weighing in at just 138lbs, he took on larger, more experienced opponents and kept advancing.
He opened with a dominant 30–27 decision over Roberto Vargas, showing off patience and control. In the quarters, he caught Kevin Miller in a beautiful triangle choke. And in the semis, Nick faced Jimmy Gutierrez, where he used outstanding wrestling and pressure to secure the win. Unfortunately, Jimmy was injured during the match and could not continue.
The Final: Sid vs. Nick
Sid and Nick met in the final a classic favorite vs. underdog, and it was everything we hoped for. Despite giving up size and coming off three tough matches, Nick came to scrap. But Sid was too sharp, and he sealed the deal with a quick third armbar, going three for three on submissions and taking home the $1,000 prize.
Women’s Feature Match: Avila Turns the Tide
The card also featured a standout women’s superfight between Dominique Monserrat (Standard Jiu-Jitsu) and Madeline Avila (Crazy 88). Monserrat came out hunting early, seriously threatening her opponent by chaining together several submission attempts.
But Avila weathered the storm and turned the match around late, eventually locking in a rear naked choke to score the win.
Want to Rewatch the Action?
The full Finishers Money in the Bank 155lbs event is now available to stream on FloGrappling. Whether you missed it live or want to relive the madness, it’s all there.
What’s Next: Finishers Summer Bash + Musikfest
The next event on the Finishers calendar is the Finishers Summer Bash, taking place August 9–10 in Bethlehem, PA. It’s a two-day event scheduled to align with Musikfest, the annual city-wide music festival that takes over Bethlehem every August.
This year, Finishers’ own photographer Quintin Fernandez will be performing with his band En Masse during the festival. Competitors, coaches, and fans are all encouraged to stick around, enjoy the music, and soak in the festival vibes after the mats are cleared.
Final Thoughts
Sid Tavolaro showed exactly why he was the man to beat and had a day full of clean finishes, efficient movement, zero wasted time. Nick Digiacomo proved he belongs in the conversation with the best. From slick armbars to gritty decisions and breakout moments, Finishers Money in the Bank delivered.
We’ll be back with coverage of the Finishers Summer Bash in August.
Until then, follow @peopledoingmartialarts for reels, updates, and more behind-the-scenes Finishers content.