Former UFC title challenger Liz Carmouche came within seconds of scoring a submission win over Akiko Sawada, but with time expiring just before the tap, “Girl-Rilla” still propelled Team 10th Planet to tournament victory at Quintet Fight Night 3.

Carmouche and her crew topped Team BJJ Kunoichi in the finals of the team-based grappling event, which took place Sunday at Arena Tachikawa Tachihi in Tokyo and streamed live on UFC Fight Pass.

With Carmouche enjoying a 21-pound weight advantage over Sawada, their matchup was slated for just four minutes rather than the standard eight-minute stanza. An aggressive Carmouche was able to work to full mount in the opening seconds and nearly latched in an Ezekiel choke to end the bout. However, Sawada was capable in defense – both against that move, as well as Carmouche’s additional submission attacks.

A questionable restart in the final minute seemed to seal the match’s fate, but Carmouche showed incredible aggression to the very end, scoring another takedown and turning to a toe hold, earning a tap immediately after the bell.

While the five-on-five match ended with five consecutive draws, and the two teams even in the amount of warnings or “shidos” issued, Carmouche’s Team 10th Planet was deemed the more aggressive squad and was granted the decision win.

Full results from the final match include:

• Liz Carmouche (10th Planet) vs. Akiko Sawada (BJJ Kunoichi) declared a draw
• Grace Gundrum (10th Planet) vs. Rikako Yuasa (BJJ Kunoichi) declared a draw
• Elvira Karppinen (10th Planet) vs. Yuki Sugiuchi (BJJ Kunoichi) declared a draw
• Fabiana Jorge (10th Planet) vs. Nanami Ichikawa (BJJ Kunoichi) declared a draw
• Lila Smadja-Cruz (10th Planet) vs. Iori Echigo (BJJ Kunoichi) declared a draw

Carmouche also battled to a draw in Team 10th Planet’s opening round match with Team DEEP Jewels’ “King” Reina Miura in an eight-minute clash. However, it hardly mattered, as Finland’s Elvira Karppinen scored three consecutive submission wins to proper the squad into the finals.

Team 10th Planet vs. Team Deep Jewels results include:

• Elvira Karppinen (10th Planet) def. Emi Tomimatsu (DEEP Jewels) via submission (rear-naked choke) – 3:58
• Elvira Karppinen (10th Planet) def. Tomo Maesawa (DEEP Jewels) via submission (armbar) – 3:25
• Elvira Karppinen (10th Planet) def. Yukari Nabe (DEEP Jewels) via submission (toe hold) – 0:23
• Grace Gundrum (10th Planet) vs. Hikaru Aono (DEEP Jewels) declared a draw
• Liz Carmouche (10th Planet) vs. Reina Miura (DEEP Jewels) declared a draw

The night’s first opening round matchup featured a thrilling run of submissions started by team BJJ Kunoichi’s Yuki Sugiuchi and bookended by her teammate Rikako Yuasa. Halting the run was a pair of impressive victories by another former UFC title challenger, Sara McMann. However, the momentum was short-lived, as Yuasa submitted McMann and fellow MMA notable Miyuu Yamamoto to secure her team’s spot in the finals.

Team BJJ Kunoichi vs. Team Sun Chlorella results include:

• Rikako Yuasa (BJJ Kunoichi) def. Miyuu Yamamoto (Team Sun Chlorella) via submission (armbar) – 6:17
• Rikako Yuasa (BJJ Kunoichi) def. Sara McMann (Team Sun Chlorella) via submission (armbar) – 1:55
• Sara McMann (Team Sun Chlorella) def. Akiko Sawada via submission (arm-triangle choke) – 1:19
• Sara McMann (Team Sun Chlorella) def. Yuki Sugiuchi (BJJ Kunoichi) via submission (guillotine choke) – 0:25
• Yuki Sugiuchi (BJJ Kunoichi) def. Mika Nagano (Team Sun Chlorella) via submission (triangle armbar) – 0:49
• Yuki Sugiuchi (BJJ Kunoichi) def. Megumi Sugimoto (Team Sun Chlorella) via submission (armbar) – 0:40
• Yuki Sugiuchi (BJJ Kunoichi) def. Miyuu Ikemoto (Team Sun Chlorella) via submission (armbar) – 0:57

Additional singles match results include:

• Tomoshige Sera def. Shooto Watanabe via submission (triangle choke) – 6:28
• Shutaro Debana vs. Robson Tanno via submission (armbar) – 7:26