Westbrook (left) receiving black belt diploma from Dantas (middle) / Photo: publicity

Former professional American football player Michael Westbrook is gearing up for his black belt competition debut, in the open weight division of the upcoming 6th Arizona BJJ International Open in Mesa, Arizona. The 2008 purple belt/superheavyweight world champion, and 2009 brown belt/superheavyweight U.S. national champion received his black belt from Nova União USA team leader Gustavo Dantas last November, after winning the 2nd Southwest BJJ Classic.

Besides Nova União black belt Westbrook, 2010 Pan-American champion Carlos Farias and Mexico’s Rodrigo Salas will be at the competition. The registration deadline is February 21st. Sign up now by clicking here.

(Right to left) Furão, Kron, Gustavo Dantas at 5th AZ Open / Photo: publicity

GD Jiu-Jitsu Events in association with the Arizona State Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (AZSBJJF) is already busy getting ready for the 6th Arizona Open. As has now become a tradition for the event, the February 26 and 27 tournament will feature super matches featuring big names from the gentle art, one match of which has already been determined and promises excitement.

“We have the return of Kron Gracie, who defeated Phillipe De La Monica last year, at the 5th AZ Open, to compete against JT Torres, the winner of the 2nd Southwest Classic Light absolute division and the ticket to compete at the 2011 European JJ Championship in Lisbon,” say Gustavo Dantas.

Last year’s event reached max capacity, so don’t miss the chance to compete alongside world class competitors. Click here for more info http://strongvon.com/azopen6.

Jonathan Torres at top of podium / Photo: publicity

There will go some important deadlines for those who want to compete in October:

→ TODAY!

The US Open (in Santa Cruz, CA) regular registration ends midnight today. Click here to register and don’t miss out on the party in Santa Cruz this coming October 15 to 17.

→ TOMORROW!

The 2nd Southwest BJJ Classic (in Mesa, Arizona) enrollment ends tomorrow, Oct 12, midnight. Click here to register for the tournament that will occur on Oct 16 and 17.

→ THIS SATURDAY!

Oct 16 is the final day to enroll for the Miami International Open, that will be placed in the Floridian City on Oct 23. Click here to enroll.

Pick your tournament, enroll and start to warm up, mate!

The Jiu-Jitsu tournament will offer kids, juveniles, adults (male and female), master and senior divisions, as well as two black belt open classes: the Open Light (167.5 lbs and under) and the Open Heavy (Over 167.5 lbs). The winner of each open weight division will receive a ticket to the 2011 European Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Lisbon, Portugal.

It is important to note that registration for the kids division will cut off at 200 competitors. Registration for the juvenile, adult, master, senior, and female divisions will stop at 450 competitors.

GD Jiu-Jitsu Events will reward all competitors to sign up by the pre-registrations deadline of 11:59 pm on October 8 with free tournament T-shirts. Anyone to register thereafter will not receive a T-shirt.

GRACIEMAG will be in Mesa to cover the event.

The Jiu-Jitsu competition features kids, juveniles, adult (Male and Female), masters and senior divisions, plus two black belt open classes: open light (167.5 lbs and under) and open heavy (Over 167.5 lbs). The winner of each open division will receive a ticket to the 2011 European BJJ Championship in Lisbon, Portugal*.

IMPORTANT: Registration will be closed for the kids division once two hundred competitors has been reached. Registration for juveniles, adults, masters, seniors, and women will be closed after 450 competitors.
GD Jiu-Jitsu Events will be offering FREE tournament T-Shirts to ALL competitors who Pre-Register for the tournament by the PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE of October 8th at 11:59 PM. Competitors registered AFTER this time will NOT receive a T-Shirt.