Again, I believe if Cobrinha beat Rafa in the 2009 ADCC and 2010 Mundials their would NOT be a demand for this “Super Fight to the Finish”. Now I could be wrong; but, we can leave that to the guys on ESPN on their special “What If?” specials.

I will close in saying that once again, I understand Rafa’s principle on this topic. And, if you want a man to do something special for HIS time, pay him HIS price (if he was to win).

Like someone else said this is the highest single gi match ever offered.. How much more could he want, i want to know if its something crazy like 40k.. or if he is asking for money even if he loses.

Now, even with the gi records being “even”; Rafa is the Champion with the more bargaining leverage at this point. It seems as though some cannot understand the reasoning WHY Rafa demands and CAN demand more money for HIS time in a “special rules” match. I hear the points on Mendes being “scared to lose”; but, I absolutely am not buying that. I 100% agree with him saying, “I don’t have anything to prove to anybody … But to fight no time limit, I ask him to pay me what I’m worth.” You cannot knock him for thinking for HIS time to “our” delight that he is worth more than $10,000.

This is sport Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. At the black belt level – the elite of elite black belt level – sometimes styles and tactics are going to cancel each other out. The sport may be “about submission”; but, winning a “grappling match” on points is very possible as well. I mean, guys from the same Affiliation without being on the same team have the choice to close out a division! That a’int a submission, my man – that’s negotiation.

Like Rafa has said, he is 3-0 against Cobrinha. Cobrinha has 10 minutes and in the ADCC 40+ minutes to submit him. Rafa won on points … let the fight again at another IBJJF championship or a “Super Fight” where The Champion gets what he believes he is worth.

PS. I wouldn’t mind Rafa going Sakuraba-versus-Royce-1 and saying, “Okay, I’ll do it then doing IT.” But, respect his principles too.

@TheGeneral & @Lazaro – are you and he saying that he is worth more than $10k? If so, I guess that means that he won’t be competing in any other tournament/fight in the future because none pay more than this. Ok – the world pro paid $12k but you had to win several fights over the course of 2 days. The logic doesn’t hold – this fight isn’t worth it to him because the rules don’t favour his strategy against cobrinha — to stall for 90% of the match tied up in the 50/50, but I don’t blame him for not wanting to fight.

@Cainan Brian & @Mr. T – Cobrinha won every major tournament that he entered for 5 consecutive years (at black belt). His aggregate accomplishments FAR exceed what Rafael has done thus far. Perhaps Rafael will surpass Cobrinha’s accomplishments at some point, he certainly has the skills but he will never do it running away from fights. Yes, this has been Rafael’s coming out party year – all the more reason to accept this fight.

@Jose – ADCC superfight is the only single fight payout higher than this one, and it is reserved for the big boys … until Rafael wins the ADCC Absolute, he won’t be fighting in any ADCC superfight. As for GrapplersQuest – have they ever paid $10k for a gi superfight? Who? I think you’re talking without knowing what you are talking about.

@Jordan – ADCC pays $40k to the superfight winner, but Rafael is not even close to contention for that so it is a mute comparison. You might as well argue that he could get $400k to win the UFC heavyweight title. As for Rafael & Cobrinha’s fights, they have split their gi matches with both winning 3 fights each. Do some homework before posting trash.

All this talk about how Rafael is correct to ask for more money is crazy. He is already being offered more money than any single fight has ever paid him. It seems a clear sign that he is afraid that the proposed rules don’t play to his “lay and pray” strategy against Cobrinha. He is more afraid to lose than he is excited about the chance to win. And you guys call him the ‘champion’. Ha.

I mean is there something else he could be doing that earns 10,000$ in under an hour? Last I heard they were touring doing seminars.. now thats multiple hours of work.. even if you had 100 guys paying 100$ for the seminar he would then have to split that with his brother.

I just want to see the fight, i want to see who the best is at submission. This is a fighting art, points should be secondary.. not the primary means to define a win