And don’t forget to register for the 2013 World Championship to be held May 29 – June 2 at the Long Beach Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, CA. Click here to sign up now!

Cobrinha after winning the 2009 World Championship. Photo: Alicia Anthony.

The 15th reason to follow, and in this case compete in, the 2013 World Championship is about the competitor. For this type of motivation, you must be able to evaluate your training and yourself as you compete.

Reason #15: Win or lose, competing will allow you to test yourself against the best in the world.

Competing is always about experience. It’s a confidence booster and sometimes even a slap in the face to wake up and change your training approach. Sometimes it’s not even what you’re training but how. And sometimes it isn’t the amount of training you’ve completed to prepare but how you’ve been able to prepare mentally.

We often hear black belts talk about having a “good day” and that is what can determine who wins a championship. Other times, when asked about how they handle being at the competition the day of, they talk about how they keep their mind right with music or solitude in order to get ready for battle, so to speak.

The experience of competing, win or lose, is just that: Experience. You must be able to use the testing grounds for improving yourself, even if you are able to submit every opponent. If you lose your first match be it to a referee decision, you must be able to take the opportunity as a way to come back stronger the next time and not place blame on any outside sources. Simply take the loss and make it productive.

Rubens Cobrinha Charles is a decorated athlete who has won the World Championship four times and has always come back with motivation to compete. When GRACIEMAG asked how he finds this motivation these days, he said, “For me, it’s a challenge and as long as I have a challenge in my life I will keep working towards it.”

DJ Jackson is a newer black belt who has had his fair share of losses in the expert black belt division so far. But he always comes back for more better than he was before. He says, “The experience you get from competing is one of the best ways to improve your Jiu-Jitsu. You will be tested and you will make mistakes. If you fix your mistakes and don’t make them again you will see your Jiu-Jitsu skyrocket.”

To sign up before the deadline tomorrow, May 21, click here.

(L-R) Gegard Mousasi punches Ilir Latifi in their light heavyweight fight at the Ericsson Globe Arena on April 6, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Gegard Mousasi watched last weekend’s UFC on FX 8 card, and was impressed with Vitor Belfort’s knockout of former Strikeforce champ Luke Rockhold.

Mousasi’s reaction to the outcome: Belfort did well. Watching the No. 2-ranked middleweight in the world was likely more homework than entertainment for the light heavyweight, however, as Mousasi now has his eyes set on a drop to 185 pounds.

“I think 185 is more suited for my body frame,” Mousasi told GRACIEMAG.com on Monday. “It’s a big possibility that I will go (down in weight class).”

Mousasi said that he is yet to discuss with the UFC about when he plans to drop to the middleweight division, but explained that he wants to maximize his strengths in the Octagon. The former Strikeforce and DREAM light heavyweight champion said that he’s confident moving to 185 pounds will maximize those strengths.

A few weeks ago, the fighter wrote on Twitter, asking what people thought about a drop to middleweight. The response was positive, Mousasi said. And despite previous reluctancy to cut the weight necessary to make 185, the Dutch-Armenian mixed martial artist said he is now more open to the idea.

“The last couple of fights … I didn’t need a lot of weight cutting. It was much easier to make the weight,” Mousasi said, adding that in his last fight, a match with last-minute replacement Ilir Latifi, he didn’t have to cut much weight at all. “In the past I thought (light heavyweight) was better for me, but I’m more open to middleweight. I have options: Go try out 205, (and) if it doesn’t work out, go to 185.

“I think I would be successful in both divisions, but I give less advantage to my opponent (at middleweight).”

In terms of who Mousasi would like to fight at 185 pounds, he said anyone in the division would be good. His manager, Nima Safapour, recently said that his fighter’s move to middleweight would make the most sense if it came with a fight against one of the best in the division.

“Gegard is very serious about doing it,” Safapour said in an email to GRACIEMAG.com, referencing the drop in weight class. “However, it would only make sense for him if he was offered a top five fighter upon entering the division.”

Vitor Belfort, for example, is right up there with the top of the weight class. A fight with him, Mousasi said, would be a good match-up. Following his win at UFC on FX 8 — as well as in recent months — Belfort has come under fire for undergoing testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT) while competing in the UFC. The procedure has been described as cheating in many circles and numerous personalities within the industry, including UFC President Dana White, have criticized those who have gone the route of TRT.

Mousasi, however, isn’t so critical. The fighter said that skills hold more weight in determining the outcome of a fight than that of artificial testosterone, and he would welcome the opportunity to fight Belfort, regardless of the scrutiny that he’s under.

“I’m not afraid of fighting him,” Mousasi said. “Of course (TRT) gives an advantage … But in the end, a fight is a fight (and) if you’re skilled enough, it shouldn’t matter that a guy is on TRT or not.”

Testosterone aside, Mousasi’s drop to middleweight won’t come for another several months because of a knee injury he sustained leading into his most recent bout. The fighter said he won’t return to training at 100 percent for another three to four months, but when he does come back, a middleweight tilt will likely be his next challenge.

Who Mousasi’s first 185-pound challenge will be, specifically? That won’t be answered today. But as he recovers from injury and watches guys like Belfort win middleweight fights in devastating fashion, Mousasi’s confidence isn’t shaken one bit.

“There’s no one in 185 that I could lose to or I would have a hard fight with,” he said. “I’m capable of beating anybody at 185.”

Mark Hunt (left) will face Junior dos Santos at UFC 160 on May 25. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Mark Hunt is finally on his way to Sin City.

After facing issues in securing the necessary documents to travel from New Zealand to the United States for his UFC 160 co-main event with Junior dos Santos, Mark Hunt wrote Sunday that his visa is in hand.

“Thank u for my visa father,” Hunt posted on Twitter.

By obtaining the visa, Hunt can travel to Las Vegas for his heavyweight bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, saving UFC staff from having to shuffle for a last-minute replacement in their co-main event.

Hunt had his visa withheld from him due to a 2002 arrest stemming from a brawl involving friends of his, according to a report by MMAFighting.com. The matter was cleared up Sunday, less than one week from his fight on Pay-Per-View.

“This is wat happens wen u have friends that are (expletive),” Hunt wrote on Twitter on May 9, also saying that he was “getting real tired of this (expletive).”

UFC 160 takes place on Saturday, May 25, and is headlined by a heavyweight title fight with champion Cain Velasquez defending his belt in a rematch with Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva.

Rodolfo Vieira celebrates his win with friends and family at the 2012 World Championship. Photo: Dan Rod

Reasons to compete in the 2013 World Championship starting May 29 mostly involve individual or team success with personal achievement. Out of our eighteen reasons, this one has to do with those closest to you and how they can be involved in your Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle.

Reason #14: Get your family and friends to take part on your special day.

For most, competing is important–especially at the World Championship. If you prepare for a tournament, you spend time in the gym that is designated for yourself and your teammates. Most of the time you’re putting more hours in as the date of the competition closes in, leaving you less time to spend with friends and family. So let this moment be one to share with those who were left out of your training preparation.

Whether your closest friends or your parents are watching, their support can mean the world. Being a spectator in the stands or through the livestream, the ability to include them in your success is a special experience.

Some people have had the support of their family from day one, like Atos purple belt Michael Liera, Jr. “My dad and I have always been together every tournament and I owe a lot of my success to him. Ever since I was a kid white belt he helped me so much in developing my competition mind set,” he explains. With a world title as a blue belt already from 2011, the influence of his family leads to great results. “A few years ago my mom and sister started coming, too. It’s really nice to have all of them there and to see all of the support they give me. I love having them in my corner at all times!”

Another person who enjoys the support of their family is three time world champion black belt Romulo Barral. A champion who has medaled at the worlds more than ten times since 2004, he gives a lot of credit to his biggest fans. He says, “It means the world to have my family watch, especially for the first time. They are the real supporters, through a win or a defeat they are the ones who will always be with you.”

Compete in the Worlds and let your family and friends be there for you on what could be a monumental day. Don’t let it happen alone!

And don’t forget to register for the 2013 World Championship to be held May 29 – June 2 at the Long Beach Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, CA. Click here to sign up before May 21!

Two more would come in the two following years to complete his impressive list of five titles in the division, from 2004 to 2011.

But the third one was unique, once it was not decided on the mats, well, at least the final decision was not made on the mats, but on the stands.

After three fights to make it to the final, including a semifinal battle against 2007 world champion Lucas Leite, Marcelinho secured his spot.

On the other side, teammate Sergio Moraes, the 2008 champion, had another perfect campaign and defeated Alan Nascimento to reach the final.

So one last question was left. Who would be crowned the champion?

For such good friends and training partners to fight for the gold medal seemed unlikely to happen.

So under the eyes of Alliance’s leader Fábio Gurgel, the two friends decided to settle the dispute with a simple game, one would say a childish way (but in a good sense).

With one draw of Choosies (or odds & evens) and the champion was decided: Marcelinho.

From the other side of the venue, GRACIEMAG captured the odd moment when a children’s game defined a black belt Jiu-Jitsu World Champion.

Here is the sequence of pictures.

Marcelinho and Serginho decide who has odds and who has evens.

One, two, three, draw!

And the winner is…Marcelinho!

And don’t forget to register for the 2013 World Championship to be held May 29 – June 2 at the Long Beach Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, CA. Click here to sign up before May 21!

Augusto Tanquinho in a match against Isaque Paiva at Pans 2013. Photo: Ivan Trindade/ GRACIEMAG

For Augusto “Tanquinho” Mendes, this Jiu-Jitsu World Championship won’t be like the others. First, because this IBJJF Championship to be held in Long Beach from May 29 to June 2, will be his first Worlds after surgery in which he needed to put four screws in his neck, due to an injury during a training session in 2011.

And also, because it may be the last Worlds for this beast. “After this Worlds, I’ll only focus on MMA, whether I win or lose in Long Beach,” he announces.

Tanquinho will need to have a perfect day to get to the top of the featherweight division, which this year already confirmed an army consisting of Rafael Mendes, Rubens Cobrinha, Mario Reis, Theodoro Canal and the eternal Wellington Megaton, Tanquinho’s father-in-law.

The Soul Fighter’s professor, however, has a secret weapon that other competitors do not have: the assistance of the explosive UFC champion Ben Henderson. Tanquinho chatted with GRACIEMAG, check it out:

GRACIEMAG: How’s your head 15 days from the start of the World Championship?

AUGUSTO TANQUINHO: As strong as it can be. I fought several competitions after the surgery and I feel I’m doing well for someone who one year and half ago placed a titanium plate and four screws in the neck. All I had been through pre and post-surgery and in training was thinking about fighting this Worlds. So I used the prior events to correct errors and improve my pace, and I’ll get to this Worlds in the best shape of my life. I am very focused and training hard to become the champion. I believe 100% that my strongest aspect in Long Beach will be my mind.

You took third at Pan Ams in April. What have you changed to win the Worlds?

I haven’t changed much. The level is very high today and during Pans I lost against (Rubens) Cobrinha by advantages–he was better that day. The same way that I was better than him in Abu Dhabi. So I followed the plans, I kept training and let the mind be strong. There is no mystery: who makes less mistakes will be the champion in Long Beach.

Are you focusing on any technical details to shine at the Pyramid?

I’m always improving technical details; I pay much attention to all opponents. I try to train to be a complete fighter. If I need to play on top, I do it, if I need to pull guard, I do it, if I need to fight standing up, I also do it. And when training to be complete in Jiu-Jitsu, there are always details to correct.

How’s your camp for the tournament?

I’m doing physical training with Jerret Aki, from MMALab, and training Jiu-Jitsu thoroughly with Megaton Dias, Mackenzie (Dern, girlfriend) and their gang. I’m also training MMA and no-gi at the gym with Ben Henderson, Efrain Escudero and several others. I’m training to get there as a highly skilled athlete. Fans can expect a much focused Tanquinho, with my guard and passing sharp. My plan is that this will be my last Worlds for now, then I’ll take a break and devote myself exclusively to MMA – whether winning it or not. So I really want the title and I’m going for it, always fighting smart and finishing the fights when I’m able to do so.

How do you plan to surprise Rafa Mendes, the triple world champion who has dominated the feather division?

Rafael is a great athlete, he is the champion. I see him as a perfectionist in Jiu-Jitsu. But surely he also has flaws and should be training to correct them. I don’t know if we will face each other at the Worlds. I have to go through a lot of people and so does he. If the time comes to face each other again, I’ll be ready for him. The category is very difficult, no fight will be easy. The World Championship in the black belt, in all categories, is very tough. It’s in God’s hands (laughs)!

Tanquinho, what lesson can you teach our readers so they can have a good Jiu-Jitsu base?

Jiu-Jitsu is training, as simple as that. Train hard and it will help. Second, train like you intend to fight, so try not to accept sweeps and takedowns easily. If you are used to accepting these positions in training, you end up accepting them in a fight. Third but not least: work out the legs, strong legs are an important aspect for a good base.

Vitor Belfort knocks out Luke Rockhold in the main event of UFC on FX 8 in Brazil. Photo via UFC Facebook.

Vitor Belfort is truly a phenomenon. Star of numerous UFC events in Brazil, the middleweight proved why he is considered one of the best in the UFC with a first-round knockout of Luke Rockhold. 

Belfort started to fight more aggressively, breaking up and landing hard shots to his opponent. With a spinning back kick, the Brazilian knocked Rockhold down, following that up with strikes on the ground to close out the fight. 

Belfort needed just over two minutes to knock out the last Strikeforce champion. When interviewed, the victor said he only wants to continue doing what he loves, which is to fight, and get many more victories. In addition, Belfort asked the audience to support Anderson Silva in his next challenge against Chris Weidman on July 6. Is he thinking of facing the winner of this match?

Photo via UFC Facebook

“Jacare” Souza delights fans, subs Chris Camozzi in first round

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza has Jiu-Jitsu in his DNA.

The black belt entered the Arena Jaragua dancing excitedly. The fight began, Camozzi managed to land a high kick that full-on hit the face of Brazilian, but Jacare was only waiting for the right time to take the fight where he likes: The ground.

When he widened the gap, it was only a matter of time. With Jacare transitioning from mount, he locked on the arm triangle. The Brazilian sank in the choke — a particularly tight one — quickly finishing his opponent at the 3:08 mark of the first round.

Following the win, Jacare was asked, if given the chance, who he would like to face between Vitor Belfort and Luke Rockhold. He replied: “The Winner.”

Rafael dos Anjos gets controversial decision over Evan Dunham

Although the scores read 29-28 across the board, most the of the MMA world disputed the outcome of the Rafael dos Anjos-Evan Dunham fight.

Despite the protest from the fans and most analysts, dos Anjos agreed with the judges’ scores.

“I lost my balance in the first round and was taken down,” he said, adding, “but I was confident I had won the second and the third rounds.”

Rafael Natal grabs unanimous decision over former Jiu-Jitsu rival

The two faced each other in the Jiu-Jitsu world years ago as brown belts, and met again on Saturday in the Octagon.

Rafael Natal and João Zeferino went back and forth in the 50/50 guard in the first round, but Zeferino had no energy for the two remaining rounds, giving Natal the chance to outwork him for the unanimous decision, 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28.

Here are the full results for the UFC on FX 8 card:

Main Card (FX):

Vitor Belfort def. Luke Rockhold via KO (spinning back kick, strikes) at 2:32, R1
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza def. Chris Camozzi via submission (arm triangle) at 3:37, R1
Rafael dos Anjos def. Evan Dunham via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Rafael Natal def. João Zeferino via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

Preliminary Card (Fuel TV):

Nik Lentz def. Hacran Dias via unanimous decision (28-27, 29-28 x2)
Francisco Trinaldo def. Mike Rio via submission (arm triangle) at 3:08, R1
Gleison Tibau def. John Cholish via submission (guillotine) at 2:34, R2
Paulo Thiago def. Mitchel Prazeres via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Yuri Alcantara def. Iliarde Santos via TKO (strikes) at 2:31, R1
Fabio Maldonado def. Roger Hollet via unanimous decision (29-27 x2, 29-28)

Preliminary Card (Facebook):

John Lineker def. Azamat Gashimov via TKO (strikes) at 1:07, R2
Jussier Formiga def. Chris Cariaso via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Lucas Martins def. Jeremy Larsen via knockout (punch) at 0:13, R3

Shinya adjusts the rear naked choke which would give him the One FC 8 belt. Photo: One FC/Disclosed

Twenty-one submissions in 32 victories. These are the numbers that accredit Japanese fighter Shinya Aoki as one of the most dangerous finishers of the current MMA scene.

He is 29 years old, already has three belts on his record, and showed his refined technique to win the ONE FC, over the feared Kotetsu “No Face” Boku, taking the lightweight belt.

At the event, ONE FC 8, Shinya showed great Jiu-Jitsu skills to neutralize Boku on the ground, and step by step, worked his way to his opponent’s neck, where he submitted with a rear naked choke at 2:02 of the second round.

In the video below you can see how he manages to combine attacks to create new positions. Also notice how he builds a trap to adjust the choke he used against Kotetsu.

Looking through GRACIEMAG’s archives of the Worlds, we came across this picture of Roger Gracie in 2010.

Seems like an ordinary image, but it isn’t.

It portraits the actual last step taken by Roger on a mat of a World Jiu-Jitsu Championship (until now, of course, once Roger can still comeback, but that seems unlikely).

Notice that Roger is holding the trophy of three-time black belt open class champion, a title only he has so far.

He had just received it from IBJJF, after having his arm raised without having to fight the absolute final because Romulo Barral got injured in the medium-heavyweight final against Tarsis Humphreys.

Another detail in this image is the presence of Xande Ribeiro in the stands, in the white gi.

A two-time absolute champion himself, Xande missed the opportunity to fight for that trophy when he lost the semifinal match to Rômulo Barral.

Unlike Roger, now a UFC fighter, Xande will be present at the 2013 Worlds.

He already confirmed he will be competing in the open class and who can doubt Xande has all the tools needed to get his third gold.

As an extra gift, here is Roger’s last fight in the World Championship open class division, the 2010 semifinal against Rodrigo Cavaca.

Registration for the 2013 Worlds finishes this Tuesday, 21, midnight PST. Do NOT forget to register for the 2013 Worlds at ibjjf.com.

Renan Barao (pictured) is injured and off the UFC 161 card, according to reports. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Renan Barao has sustained an undisclosed injury and been forced out of his UFC 161 interim title defense against Eddie Wineland, according to reports.

Barao and Wineland were scheduled to headline the card, which takes place on June 15 at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

No replacements have been confirmed for the match, and the UFC is yet to announce a change to the UFC 161 card.

At the time of this publication, a bout between Dan Henderson and Rashad Evans is tabbed to co-main event the card, preceded by a rematch between Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

GRACIEMAG.com will update with changes to the UFC 161 card as more information becomes available.

News of the Barao injury was first reported by Tatame.

Results updated live as the fights happen, beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT

Main Card (FX):

Vitor Belfort def. Luke Rockhold via KO (spinning back kick, strikes) at 2:32, R1
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza def. Chris Camozzi via submission (arm triangle) at 3:37, R1
Rafael dos Anjos def. Evan Dunham via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Rafael Natal def. João Zeferino via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

Preliminary Card (Fuel TV):

Nik Lentz def. Hacran Dias via unanimous decision (28-27, 29-28 x2)
Francisco Trinaldo def. Mike Rio via submission (arm triangle) at 3:08, R1
Gleison Tibau def. John Cholish via submission (guillotine) at 2:34, R2
Paulo Thiago def. Mitchel Prazeres via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Yuri Alcantara def. Iliarde Santos via TKO (strikes) at 2:31, R1
Fabio Maldonado def. Roger Hollet via unanimous decision (29-27 x2, 29-28)

Preliminary Card (Facebook):

John Lineker def. Azamat Gashimov via TKO (strikes) at 1:07, R2
Jussier Formiga def. Chris Cariaso via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Lucas Martins def. Jeremy Larsen via knockout (punch) at 0:13, R3

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Caio Terra vs. Laercio Fernandes. Photo: Ivan Trindade

The thirteenth reasons for supporting the 2013 World Championships is mostly for the spectators. Of course we can always learn from watching, the matches can also be pure entertainment. In this case, athletes shifting weight classes has something to do with that.

Reason #13: See new or rare match-ups from top athletes as they move weight classes.

Most of the time, competitors stay at the same weight class. Occasionally you will see athletes moving one or two or even a few as if to say they want a new challenge. But the top champions in one weight class tend to stay within their conquered divisions year after year.

This year one of the bigger moves by a champion is that of Caio Terra. We’ve seen the rooster weight compete as light feather many times before and we’ve seen him win in that category as well. He even competes in open classes and wins as the lightest guy to enter. But at the prestigious world championships he stays in his rooster division where his main opponent has always been Bruno Malfacine. Caio Terra has so far signed up as a light feather and although he mentioned that he could potentially still go back down to his home at rooster, he is competing in the higher division.

In this article he coaxes Bruno Malfacine to follow his footsteps and join the light feather division as well. There hasn’t been any confirmations, but we very well could see Malfacine in the mix as well leaving rooster weight so that others like Fabbio Passos, Felipe Costa, Rafael Freitas, Brandon Mullins and other natives can take their place in the finals. Malfacine is also one to move up to light feather at times, such as Pan Ams 2012 when he won the division.

Light feather has competitors like Guilherme Mendes who has been champion there three times as a black belt in 2009, 2011 and 2012. But he’s not the only threat in the division. Laercio Fernandes, Samuel Braga, Carlos Holanda Vieira, Samir Chantre just to name a few reside in the light feather category who can give both Caio and Bruno a good fight. Although these match-ups have happened before such as Laercio and Caio, Bruno and Guilherme and in both cases the rooster weights have won.

It will be interesting to see the light featherweight division and and what type of wrench this throws in the plans of some of the most dedicated and professional athletes. What do you think about the changes? Let us know!

And if you haven’t signed up for yourself, you can click HERE to register and get more information!