08.06.2008

Worlds: Historic Saturday photo gallery

Check out what went down in Long Beach

2008 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship
The Pyramid Gymnasium - California State University, Long Beach, CA
Photos: Luca Atalla

Controversy: In the second absolute final, Xande extends the arm of Vella...

... And ends up on the back of his attacker, who let go of the hold. "He tapped and I let go... I'm tired of being Mr. Nice Guy," he fired. Vella: responded: "If I'd tapped, there wouldn't have been time to spin out.

Either way, the fight starts up again and Xande passes Gabriel Vella's guard...

... And mounts, winning by 9 to 0.

Roger sets up a takedown against Andre Galvao...

...And projects the throw at great speed

Galvão tries to recover and attacks Roger...

But ends up not being up to par with the absolute champion, who attacks his back...

...And mounts.

Sergio Moraes, of Sao Paulo, overjoyed after submitting celebrated promise of the Gracie family Kron in the first fight of the middleweight black belt...

And stays in the running on Sunday, after winning a battle against Tio Chico by a sweep.

After the last win on the third day, with Gabriel Agular winning the absolute purple, Alliance practically assured itself the world title, even as the black belt division was just beginning.

Roger mounts Brazilian champion Alexandre Souza, in the quarterfinals.

In a bout between fighters from Amazonas, Xande Ribeiro catches Braga Neto with this forearm chokes, guaranteeing himself the semifinal spot.

Kyra Gracie shone on Saturday, going through at weight and reaching final in the absolute...

... Which she shut out with teammate Ana Laura Cordeiro.

Rafael Lovato was unable to control the impetus of Andre Galvao, who wanted the absolute title.

Gabriel Vella (blue) and Flavio Cachorrinho had a dead-even absolute quarterfinal bout, which had to be decided by the judge, who decided in favor of the Alliance athlete.

Still recovering from a shoulder injury, Tarsis Humphreys did not fight in the absolute...

...And gave his place to Rubens Cobrinha, who did his job well, but lost to Rafael Lovato in the final seconds of his bout.

Roberto de Abreu defeats Mike Fowler in the absolute black belt preliminaries.

Kayron plays guard to win the middleweight brown belt. "I've been going after this title for years, but never quite made," said the son of Carlos Gracie Jr after getting his title.

Mario Reis looked like a monk, in an all-white gi for his first match. "It's a lighter gi to make weight," explained the two-time world featherweight champion.

After winning at EliteXC last weekend, Wilson Reis still managed to put on a good show by beating Gabriel Wilcox on Saturday.

"Look how many Japanese there are", exclaimed Wellington Megaton before facing Yukinori Sasa.

Current middleweight champion Lucas Leite (right), carries on defending his title.

Cobrinha gets the choke to carry on fighting on Sunday, when the black belt weight group quarterfinals will take place.

Alexandre Souza (on top) and Murilo Santana face off in the open weight class.

At a frenetic pace in which one photo can capture three fights, the competition on Saturday had brilliant moments, like this fight between Braga Neto and Eduardo Telles.

Next adversary for André Galvão at medium heavyweight, 1998 champion with son Tiago.

Victor Estima shows a precision triangle to take Mike Fowler out of the running.

End of discussion. As with in the Brazilian Nationals, Gabriel Vella defeated Rodrigo Cavaca in the preliminaries of the absolute. But this time, there was no controversy and he remained in the competition.

Ginásio sede do Mundial de Jiu-Jitsu 2008