Galvão in absolute final against Pablo Popovitch / Photo: Daren Bartlett

André Galvão is emblazoned on the pages of GRACIEMAG 176, featuring in the ADCC coverage and the “Face to Face” interview section.

At the event in Nottingham, Galvão won at weight and open weight. With the result, the black belt earns the right to face Bráulio Estima, the winner of the supermatch against Ronaldo Jacaré. The encounter will take place in two years; the countdown has begun!

“Two years is a long ways away. By then we’ll be different fighters. All you can predict is that we’ll be really well prepared,” he comments in the issue.

This year leaving the absolute final as the victor, two years ago Galvão experienced the situation in reverse.

“At ADCC 2009 I made the cover of GRACIEMAG stuck in that vile triangle of Bráulio’s! Rest assured I’ll be ready to get even; I want to make the cover, but without the discomfort,” he adds.

To find out more, subscribe to GRACIEMAG here to get your copy in the comfort of your own home.

The Gracie Barra teacher also starred in the latest episode of Budo Videos’s “Rolled Up” show. Hard-nosed host of the program Jake dropped in on the new super champion and learned how Bráulio overcame serious injury, what he does to train strategically, what he expects in the 2013 supermatch with André Galvão, and much more. Click here to check it out.

Ronaldo "Jacaré" Souza / Photo: Daren Bartlett

“You better believe it, I’ve quit submission grappling,” Ronaldo Jacaré would say on Sunday, while other submission grappling aces sweat it out on the mats to determine the champions of ADCC 2011, in Nottingham, England. (Missed some of the official results? Find them here.)

“Didn’t I say before that I’d take some time off from Jiu-Jitsu and just do MMA? When I say I’m going to do something, I mean it; I’m not going to compete in the ADCC anymore. Now it’s time to focus on making it to the top of the MMA heap,” the star of the 2011 supermatch tells us. Having made the decision, Jacaré now wraps up his trophy mantel with runner-up at under-88kg in 2003, the title in 2005, runner-up in the absolute in 2005, triumph in the 2009 supermatch, and a loss in the 2011 supermatch. Two golds and three silvers. Not bad, huh?

But what about the longing, Jacaré? Could it not strike and perhaps prompt him to reconsider? “What I really long for is the gi… That’s got me bad. That’s why I’d be down for a farewell match before truly calling it quits, if it were to be held in the Maracanãzinho gymnasium or if some other big event were down for it.

Who would you like to see Ronaldo Jacaré face in his Gi Jiu-Jitsu farewell, dear reader? Comment below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXeMAQ8v1ug

Marcelo Garcia pulled some slick moves on his way to the semifinals. Photo: Dan Rod.

Saturday was day one of ADCC 2011, in Nottingham, England. Besides the supermatch between Bráulio Estima and Ronaldo Jacaré, all the divisions played through to the semifinals, which will take place on Sunday. Keenly watching all the events in the Capital FM Arena, photographer Dan Rod didn’t miss a beat.

Check out the highlights in images:

While Braúlio Estima, sporting a red jacket, concedes his last interview, seated on grey mat number 2 in the middle of the main arena, a shirtless Ronaldo Souza approaches Gilberto Faria, “Sorry, Gilberto.”

Jacaré’s friend and manager responds with a friendly embrace. “After that fight at Strikeforce, it was a great performance. Worthy of a bonus from the Sheikh,” said Gil. It was indeed a riveting supermatch, the one that brought Saturday at ADCC 2011 to a close.

It was a slim score but Bráulio’s countless attack attempts made it all worthwhile and lit up the spectators, from mere mortals to the likes of Rickson Gracie and Rubens Cobrinha. “I dug some of Bráulio’s attacks, there were some things in there that can transition well to a calf-crunch,” Cobrinha would say, in a conversation between black belts.

When the showdown began, the feeling that overtook Bráulio was one of pleasure. “When I saw him before me, I couldn’t believe the moment had finally come. I was simply overjoyed.” It was the fifth time the two face each other, and Carcará was dreaming of his first win against him. And it would come, 30 warish minutes later.

Standing, Carcará would take the initiative with takedown attempts, to which Jacaré didn’t attempt to answer. On the ground, Bráulio attacked with a straight footlock with a sweep already in his sights – a classic submission grappling maneuver but with the details of a guard-playing whiz, one of the best in Jiu-Jitsu at present.

Jaca played on the defense, awaiting his moment to pounce, which came after the 20-minute regulation time, during the 10-minute overtime. Jaca launched an attack, pinning the 2009 absolute champion to the ground. “But was training that with Roger,” said Carcará later, “I didn’t even get nervous. The mat was really slippery; I knew I could get up before he stabilized and scored points.”

With no point advantage, Jacaré forged ahead. He knew he’d had his chance. Now it was Bráulio’s turn, and he didn’t waste it. In 50-50 guard, he attacked Jaca’s foot, nearly swept, Jacaré turned over and Bráulio stuck in his hooks, which counts for three points in the ADCC.

“I’d already put him on his butt twice. When I caught his hip I though, ‘He’s not getting out of this one!’” said Carcará. Jacaré skillfully untangled himself, despite painfully injured ribs from his Strikeforce fight on the 10th. But it was to no avail, the judges gave the new superchampion his three points.

Once the bout had ended, Jacaré raised Bráulio’s hand and recognized his defeat: “I was impossible to get out of that title fight at Strikeforce 100%, so I fought with what I had,” said Jacaré. So he packed his things in his backpack, remembered how he had quickly removed the hooks, and told the reporter: “But how quickly they awarded those points, huh?”

A rematch maybe? “I’d fight him again no problem. I don’t think he can pass my guard,” said Carcará in closing.

However, Bráulio Estima and Ronaldo Jacaré have already set about kindling the fire of a rivalry from way back, from their Jiu-Jitsu days.

While there are still two weeks to go till they exchange their first shoves and pummels, the verbal battle has already begun.

Rush to the GRACIEMAG at ADCC Blog to get up to date on all the commotion in the build-up to the ADCC 2011 supermatch.

Roger during training in NY / Photo: GRACIEMAG.com archives

It was a good night for the Jiu-Jitsu aces, but it was a good one for the fans in Ohio. First, Roger Gracie perdeu no MMA

Roger Gracie lost an MMA fight for the first time, getting nailed behind the ear by a super confident King Mo, who fought with his guard down the whole time. The Gracie fell at 4:37 minutes of the first round, having played it safe until then.

Now Ronaldo Jacaré fought a safe fight, despite a feisty Luke Rockhold coming at him standing the whole time. Jacaré took Luke to the ground a dozen times but couldn’t keep him there. That would cost him dearly in the end. Although none of Luke’s strikes had the Brazilian fazed, the judges went for quantity and decided the belt should change owners: handing Luke the unanimous decision.

In the heavyweight GP semifinals, Antonio “Bigfoot” took some heavy fire from Daniel Cormier (8w), King Mo’s wrestling partner. The stout Cormier brought on the heat and threw a spot-on hook that took the giant Brazilian out. Cormier will be in the GP final with Josh Barnett, who displayed the best grappling of the day: mounting, getting back mount and ending with an arm-and-neck choke at the tail end of the first round.

Now former champ Rafael Feijão was some consolation for Brazil on the day, even though he did take some heavy shots from Cuba’s Yoel Palacio. In the end, though, Feijão’s heavy hands reigned, getting the knockout in round 2. Check out the rest of the results from the event:

Strikeforce 36
US Bank Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio
September 10, 2011

GP: Josh Barnett submitted Sergei Kharitonov via arm-and-neck choke;
GP: Daniel Cormier defeated Antonio Silva via knockout (hook) at 3:56 minutes of R1;
Luke Rockhold defeated Ronaldo “Jacaré” Souza via unanimous decision;
Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal knocked out Roger Gracie at 4:37 minutes of R1;
Pat Healy submitted Maximo Blanco via rear-naed choke at 4:27 minutes of R2;
Mike Kyle defeated Marcos Rogerio “Pezão” Lima via unanimous decision;
Rafael “Feijão” Cavalcante knocked out Yoel Romero Palacio at 4:51 min of R2;
Jordan Mein defeated Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos via technical knockout (elbows) at 3:18 min of R3;
Alexis Davis defeated Amanda Nunes via TKO at 4:53 min of R2;
Dominique Steele defeated Chris Mierzwiak via unanimous decision.

In the GP semifinals, there will be no lack of excitement as Josh Barnett squares off with Sergio Kharitanov and Antonio Bigfoot taking on Daniel Cormier, who steps in to take the place of Alistair Overeem, who is now scheduled to face Brock Lesnar in the UFC.

Still on the main card. Ronaldo Jacaré will defend his middleweight title against Luke Rockhold. Now Roger Gracie will be looking to hang on to his unbeaten record against King Mo Lawal. To add even more spice to the mix, former champion Rafael Feijão will have his work cut out for him against Yoel Romero, while Evangelista Cyborg tests his mettle against Jordan Mein and fast-rising up-and-comer Amanda Nunes faces off with Alexis Davis.

Get a glimpse of the emotions from weigh-ins in this video and in the photos taken by Esther Lin, below:

Check out the card:

Josh Barnett vs. Sergei Kharitonov
Daniel Cormier vs. Antonio Silva
Ronaldo Souza vs. Luke Rockhold
Roger Gracie vs. Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal
Maximo Blanco vs. Pat Healy
Mike Kyle vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima
Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante vs. Yoel Romero
Jordan Mein vs. Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos
Alexis Davis vs. Amanda Nunes
Chris Mierzwiak vs. Dominique Steele

To help you out, GRACIEMAG.com put together a medley of music for this Tuesday, with three major Youtube.com hits – performed, written or inspired by Jiu-Jitsu aces. Which of these hits is your favorite?

Number 3) “Guerreiro”, by Abdulah – a classic. “Ele é guerreiro…” (“He’s a warrior…”)

Number 2) “Pescador de ilusões”, by Rappa, with Ronaldo Jacaré and Gabriel Napão – two buddies, a mat, and a guitar, and the lyrics “Se meus joelhos não doessem mais…” (“”If my knees would stop aching…”)

Number 1) “Beauty Queen”, written and performed by Pablo Popovitch – has he got talent?

Roger Gracie just lost the absolute final, with an armbar firmly in place, to Ronaldo Jacaré, who didn’t quit and left the encounter as champ. After that there was still the weight group final against phenom stifler Rodrigo Comprido. The outcome of this saga was Roger’s first title, as you will recall here.

Carcará in European Open 2011 final against Sergio Moraes / Photo: Ivan Trindade

The winner of the under 88kg division at the last ADCC, Bráulio Estima will be Ronaldo Jacaré’s challenger this time around, at the upcoming championship this September in England. Shortly after winning the 2011 European Open the Zé Radiola black belt underwent surgery on his neck. Could that be a hindrance to him in his showdown with Jacaré?

In the following GRACIEMAG.com interview Carcará comments on his recovery, the challenge at the ADCC, addresses the subject of Rodolfo Vieira, and guarantees: Carcará will soon be back at full swing.

How’s your recovery going?

It was a lot quicker than I’d imagined. It’s been impressive so far. Two months after surgery I was already doing specific training. Now I feel I’m just as good as I was at the 2009 ADCC.

How is training going? Are you totally focused on No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu?

I started intense training a month ago. I did some strength training to get back to the shape I was in. My head’s in the right place, I’m feeling really well in No-Gi training both standing and on the ground. I’m back at my original weight (90kg). It’ll be great. I’m really excited about this match.

Photo: Ivan Trindade

In your opinion, where is Jacaré most dangerous?

Jacaré is dangerous in several ways. He’s explosive, strong, and has quick and spot-on attacks. He wages war. My being an attacker too, I expect this combination to yield a lively match. I’m really anxious about this match; it’ll be a Jiu-Jitsu spectacle.

Are you thinking of competing at next year’s Jiu-Jitsu World Championship and other tournaments?

Yes, of course! I love competing; I just sat out the last few because I was injured. I won the Euro this year and got bitched out by my doctor because I was going to be operated on two days later. I had a good match against Sérgio (Moraes) in the final. For sure next year, with my neck good as new, Carcará will be back at full swing!

You were about to make your MMA debut. You still thinking about doing MMA?

I am. I train every week and the main reason behind my undergoing surgery was to be able to do MMA safely.

Rodolfo Vieira won his weight group and the absolute at all the big events this year. What do you see him doing that sets him apart?

He’s a born athlete, is very dedicated, talented, really well prepared, and he’s hungry to win – and that makes athletes dedicate themselves in training a lot more. He’s an excellent fighter and deserves everything that’s happening in his career. To be a champion you have to train intelligently. And, from the matches I’ve seen and the comments I’ve heard, he’s doing his homework just right.

Rômulo's guard will be one of the attractions at ADCC 2011. Photo: John Lamonica.

ADCC 2011 is already warming up its engines for the showdown coming up September 24 and 25 in Nottingham, England, and you can check out the early moves made by the event first hand, like who’s on the program so far.

The big news this year when it comes to the rules is that the weight-in will be held just before the athletes’ first match. Straight from the scale to the mat, no piddling around.

The complete timetable will only be out in August. Check out the info released so far below, and be there!

ADCC 2011
September 24-25
Nottingham, England

Superfight:
Bráulio Estima (absolute champ) vs. Ronaldo Jacaré (2009 superchamp)

Masters superfight:
Renzo Gracie vs. Zé Mario Sperry

Tickets and arena website: www.capitalfmarena.com
Friday, 23: Weight-in plus rules conference at 4pm at arena
Saturday: Championship begins at 1pm, ending with Renzo vs. Sperry
Sunday: Begins at 2pm – absolute and Jacaré vs. Bráulio

Roster:

-65.9kg
1. Rafael Mendes. Brazil (2009 World Champion)
2. Greger Forsel. Finland (2010 European Champion)
3. Marko Ramos. USA (2010 North-American Champion)
4. David Marinakis. Australia (2011 South Pacific Champion)
5. Tetsu Hadairo. Japan (2011 Asian Champion)
6. Jeff Glover. USA (2011 North-American Champion)
7. Bruno Frazzato. Brazil (2011 South-American Champion)
8. Timo-Juhani Hirvikangas. Finland (2011 European Champion)
9. Ryan Hall. USA
10. Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles. Brazil
11. Tom Barlow. U.K
12. Barret Yoshida. USA
13. Rani Yahya. Brazil
14. Robson Moura. Brazil
15. Denny Prokopos. USA
16.

-76.9kg
1. Jorge Britto. Portugal (2010 European Champion)
2. Vagner Rocha. USA (2010 North-American Champion)
3. Davis Hart. Australia (2011 South Pacific Champion)
4. Gomi Takanori. Japan (2011 Asian Champion)
5. Enricco Coco. USA (2011 North-American Champion)
6. Murilo Santana. Brazil (2011 South-American Champion)
7. Daniel Strauss. U.K (2011 European Champion)
8. Leo Viera. Brazil
9. Gunnar ‘viking’ Nelson. Iceland
10. Marcelo Garcia. Brazil
11. Kron Gracie. Brazil
12. JT Torres. USA
13. Augusto Mendes. Brazil

-87.9kg

1. Andre Galvao. Brazil (2009 2nd World championships, Estima go to Superfight vs Jacare)
2. Marko Helen. Finland (2010 European Champion)
3. Rustam Chsiev. Russian (2010 North-American Champion)
4. Cameron Rowe. Australia (2011 South Pacific Champion)
5. Jeon Doo Kwang. Korea (2011 Asian Champion)
6. JJ Holmes. USA (2011 North-American Champion)
7. Claudio Calasans. Brazil (2011 South-American Champion)
8. Zbigniew Tyszka. Poland (2011 European Champion)
9. Rafael Lovato. USA
10. Rousimar Palhares. Brazil
11. Romulo Barral. Brazil
12. Sergio Moraes. Brazil
13. Paulo Filho. Brazil
14. Pablo Popovitch (2009 ADCC champion, 77kg)
15.
16.

-98.9kg
1. Xande Ribeiro. Brazil (2009 Champion)
2. Kari Peltola. Finland (2010 European Champion)
3. Joseph Lee Baize. USA (2010 North-American Champion)
4. Igor Praporshchikov. Australia (2011 South Pacific Champion)
5. Animal Anzai. Japan (2011 Asian Champion)
6. James Poupolo. USA (2011 North-American Champion)
7. Renato Ferreira. Brazil (2011 South-American Champion)
8. Kamil Uminski. Poland (2011 European Champion)
9. Roger Gracie. Brazil
10. Rudolfo Viera. Brazil
11. Dean Lister. USA
12. Robert Drysdale. USA
13. Joao Assis. Brazil
14. Radek Turek. Poland
15. Dan Schon. Mexico
16.

+99kg
1. Fabricio Werdum. Brazil (2009 Champion)
2. Janne-Pekka Pietiläinen. Finland (2010 European Champion)
3. Mario Rinaldi. USA (2010 North-American Champion)
4. Mick Wilson. Australia (2011 South Pacific Champion)
5. Sekine Hideki. Japan (2011 Asian Champion)
6. Jared Rosholt. USA (2011 North-American Champion)
7. Gabriel Vella. Brazil (2011 South-American Champion)
8. Mateusz Juskowiak. Poland (2011 2nd European Championships)
9. Jeff Monson. USA
10. Roberto ”Cyborg” de Abreu. Brazil
11. Bruno Bastos. Brazil
12. Antonio ”bigfoot” Silva. Brazil
13. Jose Fereira Junior. Brazil
14. Gerardi Rinaldi. USA
15. Vinny Magalhaes. Brazil
16. Alexander Trans. Denmark

-60kg
1. Luanna Alzuguir. Brazil (2009 World Champion)
2. Lara Jayne Ng. Australia (2011 South Pacific Champion)
3. Hashi Takayo. Japan (2011 Asian Champion)
4. Cathilee Albert. USA (2011 North-American Champion)
5. Michelle Nicolini. Brazil (2011 South-American Champion)
6. Sara Svensson. Sweden (2011 European Champion)
7. Kyra Gracie. Brazil
8.

+60kg
1. Hannette Staack. Brazil (2009 World Champion)
2. Fiona Muxlow. Australia (2011 South Pacific Champion)
3. Penny Thomas. South Africa (2011 North-American Champion)
4. Talita Nogueira. Brazil (2011 South-American Champion)
5. Devi Ahuja. Norway (2011 European Champion)
6. Gabrielle Garcia. Brazil
7. Chris Cyborg. Brazil
8.

Ronaldo "Jacaré" Souza: two-time absolute world champion toiling in MMA / Photo: Dream publicity

GRACIEMAG.com this week broke word of the marathon Ronaldo Jacaré and Roger Gracie will be enduring. On September 10 the two will see action at Strikeforce, in the United States. Not long thereafter, on the 24th and 25th, the submission wizards will enter the scene at the ADCC, in England. On the possibility of not making it to the submission wrestling tournament, whether due to the difficulty in preparing for it or the wear and tear of MMA, Jacaré persishes the thought. He guarantees he’ll be there for his supermatch against Bráulio Estima.

“No way I won’t be there, my opponent can expect me,” he states.

“I don’t think the short break between fights is any hindrance. What may set me back is that I haven’t competed in Jiu-Jitsu or submission grappling in a long time, since my priority is MMA,” the black belt adds.

Regarding his preparations for the two challenges, Jaca says his first concern is Luke Rockhold, the challenger to the Strikeforce belt.

“I’m getting ready for the title fight; then I’ll make some adjustments in the USA; I’ll do some training at Fabrício Werdum’s Jiu-Jitsu academy.”

If we’ll be see him using more Jiu-Jitsu in the cage because of his preparations for the ADCC, the fighter sees no difference. Although he has opted to keep it standing in some of his recent fights, the gentle art remains in the foreground, like in his last fight, where he won via rear-naked choke.

“I always look to use Jiu-Jitsu more but my opponents don’t, and that makes the process of using my ground game harder in MMA. What I may do is train more to put my game to use,” he says in closing.

Roger at ADCC 2007 / Photo by Luca Atalla

With four submission wins in MMA, the undefeated Roger Gracie was set to face Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal at the July 30 Strikeforce show. However, the same injury that pulled him from this year’s Jiu-Jitsu World Championship caused the fight to be rescheduled.

Now Roger and King Mo are scheduled to go at it on September 10, as reported on the website MMAJunkie.

The MMA bout may or may not interfere with the Gracie’s plans in the ADCC, an event he was already confirmed to take part in. The grappling championship is scheduled to take place in England on the 24th and 25th of the very month.

Furthermore, the showdown between Ronaldo Jacaré and Luke Rockhold is scheduled for the same Strikeforce event, while Jacaré is scheduled to face Bráulio Estima in the ADCC superfight.

So both will have to put in a full fledged training marathon and keep their fingers crossed that no injuries should arise during their MMA commitments. Nothing can’t be done when it comes to the two monsters of Jiu-Jitsu!

Check back with GRACIEMAG.com for more news.