Gilbert Durinho returns to BJJ. Photo: GracieMag.com
On the last day of the sign-up period to the 2013 Worlds No-Gi, the IBJJF’s most prestigious no-gi event has gotten even stronger and promises to be one of the highlights of the semester.
With around 1,000 signed up, the Nov. 2–3 tourney will feature current gi world champion Leandro Lo, as well as Clark Gracie and DJ Jackson. Vitor Belfort’s ground coach in Florida, Gilbert “Durinho” Burns, a 2010 no-gi champion, is also signed up.
How about you? Are you sharing the mat with these aces? Visit IBJJF.org today, as sign-up closes October 25.
Even with an MMA bout slated for December 5 against Paulo Bananada at Maceió’s Coliseu, Durinho has opted to test himself at the WC, and told us why.
“I’ve always competed since I was 12, and in this transition into MMA I had to move away from BJJ competitions a bit, but I’m always training and following the tournaments. I had planned to fight in the no-gi WC last year, but I was in Brazil. Vitor supported me and he’s a good friend, but really it was my other students and friends who incentivized me, especially my wife Bruna. Since I practice wrestling and no-gi BJJ all the time, she asked me why not take part,” Durinho recalled.
The Blackzilians fighter, who’s been training alongside the likes of Gesias Cavalcante, Manoel Soares, Jorge Santiago, Eddie Alvarez and wrestling champ Kenny Monday, explained where and how wrestling has been strengthening his game:
“Their base is really very strong. The high-level guys position themselves well, have a lot of steam and scramble really well and wind up on top. Yeah, so you gotta have great timing and sharp positions to fight wrestlers,” analyzes the 2011 lightweight world champion.
Fighting as a middleweight at this Worlds No-Gi, Durinho vows to maintain his aggressive style – even if he clashes with now-middleweight Leandro Lo, one of today’s greatest.
“I’m really a middleweight; I’ve always cut weight to fight among lightweights. Without the gi on, since the Federation deducts the extra three kilos of the gi, it’s even hard for me to compete under 73kg; so I’m fighting at 79kg, but I’m still strong and with my aggressive style, with a lot of steam and agility. Leandro Lo is the guy to beat; he’s very well-rounded and able to play on top and bottom, but I won’t be changing anything about my game. I’ll attack him and pressure him; I’ll try to nullify his game and impose mine,” Durinho plans.
Durinho knows what to think about come fight day:
“I really like to compete, to feel the adrenaline. The day before, I like listening to music, watching a movie and being with family, focused but not thinking only about fighting. The trick is to relax and enjoy yourself; I love what I do, I see myself as privileged for competing in BJJ, the art I love; so on that day I’ll simply enjoy the ride,” he wrapped up.
Click here to find out who else has confirmed their presence at the 2013 Worlds No-Gi.
