Muito bacana essa ideia da SJJIF em trazer o Worlds para o Brasil este ano, evento que vai rolar nos dias 11 e 12 de novembro, na Arena da Juventude, em Deodoro, no Rio de Janeiro. Como surgiu essa ideia e quais benefícios ela oferece para a comunidade do Jiu-Jitsu?

JOÃO SILVA: Nosso evento conta com participantes do mundo todo e já teve, numa de suas maiores edições, representantes de mais de 60 países. Contudo, vários participantes não têm conseguido participar por conta do visto para os Estados Unidos, que para muitos é inviável. Por muito tempo, na assembleia da SJJIF, já se havia falado sobre a opção de expandir os eventos da SJJIF e de ter o mundial da SJJIF de forma itinerante, dando a toda comunidade do Jiu-Jitsu a oportunidade de participar no evento e de competir pelo seu título mundial.

Acredito que a decisão de trazer para o Brasil essa edição do evento é algo a ser celebrado não apenas pelo fato de ser a décima edição, mas sim por mais uma vez estarmos inovando e promovendo os valores da SJJIF de integração, jogo justo, respeito e cultura brasileira através do Jiu-Jitsu.

Eu acredito que todos os competidores brasileiros devem aproveitar o máximo dessa oportunidade única de competir pelo título mundial da SJJIF no Brasil, especialmente para competidores que pensam em viver do Jiu-Jitsu no exterior no futuro, pois um título mundial da SJJIF em uma carta imigratória pode ser a diferença na aprovação de um visto de trabalho.

Além do país que vai sediar o grande evento, quais são as outras novidades do SJJIF Worlds 2023?

Eu acredito que para todos competidores acostumados a irem para o Estados Unidos para competir essa vai ser uma oportunidade enorme de se aculturar onde o Jiu-Jitsu esportivo foi fundado e de conhecer tudo que o Rio de Janeiro tem a oferecer, como turismo, treino, competição e muito mais. Para os atletas que nunca competiram em um evento da SJJIF, acho que isso é uma oportunidade única de fazer parte da história sendo a décima edição, primeira vez no Brasil e com premiação em dinheiro, medalha que é enorme, cinturão, anel, troféu e, o mais importante, o título mundial.Este ano teremos cinturões em diversas divisões, algo inédito.

Esta é a décima edição do show, uma baita marca para a SJJIF. Quais os momentos mais memoráveis nessa trajetória? E quais as principais lições que você tirou dessas 10 edições?

Desde o começo nós trabalhamos duro para trazer algo melhor para nossa comunidade. Sendo um evento que promove a inclusão através do “Jiu-Jitsu para todos”, tendo em um evento não apenas atletas do mundo inteiro competindo para as divisões tradicionais mas também o Parajiu-jitsu, o Jiu-Jitsu de Surdos e o Jiu-Jitsu Especial, dando a oportunidade a todos da comunidade do Jiu-Jitsu competirem pelo seu título mundial. Independente de idade ou de serem elite ou amadores, o evento tem diversas divisões dando a oportunidade para todos participarem (CLIQUE AQUI e se inscreva no SJJIF Worlds 2023).

Nós passamos por diversos momentos memoráveis, tanto através de lutas excepcionais de grandes atletas da arte suave ou com momentos através das lutas adaptadas, que são sempre inspiradoras para todos e um momento mágico em nossos eventos. A maior lição eu acredito que seja o fato que sempre podemos melhorar e como no Jiu-Jitsu a vitória é sempre gratificante, porém é através da derrota que o aprendizado é mais intenso. O importante é dar o seu melhor e fazer tudo com amor, pegada, respeito e não ter medo de tentar algo novo.

E o futuro? Em que patamar vai estar o SJJIF Worlds daqui a dez edições? Quais são os principais desafios e objetivos pela frente?

Eu acredito que nos próximos dez eventos muita coisa vai mudar. Esta décima edição já é um marco que vai abrir essa nova jornada onde o mundial vai viajar todo ano de país em país, promovendo não apenas a federação mas o esporte em si. Algo que estamos bem empolgados de ver, pois nós acreditamos que nos próximos anos vamos ver um crescimento muito maior de competidores.

Quem são os craques que mais impressionaram você nessa longa trajetória do SJJIF Worlds e quais os craques que vão se destacar nesta edição de 2023?

Vimos nesses dez anos muitos campeões e vimos diversas lutas. Crianças como os irmãos Ruotolo que já ganhavam o mundial em todas as faixas de criança. Vimos lutas de faixas-pretas super empolgantes, como as da Tayane Porfírio, Lucas “Hulk” Barbosa, Keenan Cornelios, Kaynan Duarte, Jonnatas Gracie, Luiza Monteiro, Otávio Sousa, Renan Vital, Nathiely De Jesus, Dany Gerard, Kendall Reusing, Ronaldo Júnior, Kennedy Maciel e muito mais.

Bom pra falar a verdade eu nunca fui bom de adivinhar quem ganharia as edições passadas então não vou nem tentar em 2023, mas estou muito empolgado para ver os campeões dessa décima edição.

Photo: Personal Archive

Bibiano Fernandes, 41, has an appointment under One Championship for December 5. The bantamweight champion will be defending his belt against John Lineker, who has only fought three times in the organization, between 2019 and 2021. The announcement was made by One’s CEO, Chatri Sityodtong.

Throughout his career, which began in 2004, Bibiano has achieved 24 wins and suffered four losses. In One Championship, which has employed him since 2012, he has 11 wins and just one loss.

“I’m happy to be able to defend my belt again,” the Brazilian said in a recent interview. “I’ve been on this journey for a long time. I’m happy, healthy, well trained. I want to show younger people that with discipline and hard work, you can get to where you want. Bibiano is the result of a lot of effort, lots of faith and dedication.”

In his native state of Amazonas, where he was staying several days ago, Bibiano got in touch with his roots before returning to Canada to resume his training.

“I’m in Manaus to visit my family and friends and have contact with nature,” he said. “I always come to Brazil before I have an important appointment in my life. Out here, the other day, I did a lecture at a military school for more than 200 students, where I spoke about the importance of being confident, having discipline and courage.” He added: “I’m quite happy to be here.”

Bibiano also revealed that he’s not done evolving in Jiu-Jitsu, as was recently recognized by his teacher, Prof. Osvaldo Alves.

“I’ve received another degree on the black belt,” said Bibiano, who is a three-time BJJ world champion. “I’m happy to conquer another step in the black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, the sport that gave me everything I have. I lost my mom very early, and my dad had no means to raise us; I went to the interior of Amazonas, but if today I am someone, it was the sport that saved me and because I believed I could be someone.”

Photo: IBJJF/Facebook

Nivaldo Oliveira, also known as Nil, has lots of history in BJJ. A black-belt since 2007, when he was promoted by Leo Vieira, Nil has won important titles like the absolute in the CBJJ’s Brazilian Nationals, and the IBJJF’s European Championship – two of the toughest competitions on the calendar.

With wins over Rômulo Barral and Murilo Santa, in a recent interview Nivaldo remembered his important triumph from 2012, a landmark in his career as an athlete.

“The title of Brazilian champion in my weight and in the absolute was incredible to me,” he said. “The Brazilian Nationals are the biggest championship in Brazil, and I was able to write my name in the history of the sport. It was a title I had been seeking for some time, and I got it. I was coming off good results in previous years, reaching consecutive finals in 2010, 2011 and 2012, the year I became champion. I gained confidence upon beating tough athletes and world champions; that’s how I knew I was on the right path.”

Now, at 38, Nil resides in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, where he helps propagate the benefits of BJJ, the sport that changed his life from the moment he first stepped on a mat at the age of 16.

“Fortunately, today, I can say that I make a living 100% off Jiu-Jitsu,” said Nil. “I have a comfortable life and a very good quality of life. Yes, I feel fulfilled, but I still have other goals that I want to reach. I want to have my own gym. Here, in Abu Dhabi, it’s incredible how the sport and the professionals are valued. We have big competitions with prize money.” He added: “I’m always training and studying.”

An avid follower of the competitive scene, Nil is keeping an eye on BJJ Stars, the Brazilian organization, in particular. “I always watch these superfight events. It’s super-important for the growth of the sport, especially now, because of the pandemic that struck and we were left without frequent championships. Since I’m already a master, it would be cool to fight again in this event. I hope to have an opportunity to fight again.”

Henrique Saraiva teaches Jiu-Jitsu in Dublin. Photo: Divulgation

“Sit down. Be humble”. With this mantra on the wall, Professor Henrique Saraiva resumed Jiu-Jitsu classes at his schools in Ireland in September, after more than a year of closed gyms in the country.

Son of the great master Orlando Saraiva, the professor celebrated the new phase in Dublin and shared the teachings with our team.

“I think the greatest learning I could gather during this difficult period for everyone comes from an analogy I made with Jiu-Jitsu”, reflects Henrique. “Which is: in life, we ​​don’t have control of many things. In times of difficulty, it is necessary to be wise enough to wait for the right time to react, the important thing is not to waste energy unnecessarily. Nobody throws themselves into a sea to face a storm, nor is there any point in embarking without wind”.

Saraiva took advantage of the forced stoppage to promote changes: “On my way back, I started again in September in a new dojo, in a region that still didn’t have any Jiu-Jitsu academies. I hope to grow a lot around here. The academy in D15 continues as well, so we grew in the end.”

Henrique Saraiva also took the opportunity to keep up with the conversation, and the teachings, up to date in Brazil. “I flew to Brazil at the beginning of the pandemic and so I was able to enjoy my family. Since I moved to Ireland, I couldn’t spend as many months with them. Even when I lived in Brazil, I had never been this close to my parents. It was a great opportunity, I was able to talk a lot with my father and absorb as much of his experiences and his great stories on the mat, with masters Carlson and Paquetá.”

According to Saraiva, the Irish team returned more excited than ever, and they have already started to plan their return to the championships as well. “I think Jiu-Jitsu in Ireland will be even stronger, the spirit of the young ones was renewed. I see it in the children of our team, who are even more excited, wanting to spend all that piled-up energy. I hope to see my students fighting at events across Europe soon. We’re getting there, at last.”

Júlio dos Anjos is a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt under Master Júlio César Pereira. Photo: Ralfh Jigger

Julio dos Anjos, 28, is one of the main propagators of Jiu-Jitsu in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. An avid competitor, winner of titles from the IBJJF’s Pan and Euros, Julio now splits his time between his usual heavy schedule — teaching as many as six Jiu-Jitsu classes in a day — and the launch of his own gym, JDA Training Center.

The gym, located in Dubai, will provide bespoke training for students wishing to improve the quality of their lives or even becoming high-performance athletes, as Julio explained in a recent interview.

“JDA Training Center has a personalized training program for different needs,” he said. “If the practitioner just wants to train as a hobby, to have a healthy lifestyle, or compete also, this is the right place. I’m very excited to teach everything I know to my students and help them achieve their goals.”

JDA Training Center in Dubai. Photo: Ralfh Jigger

After five years — the time he’s been a black-belt — Julio is starting to reap the fruits of his decisions from when he was younger. If nowadays he’s starting his own business, previously he had tougher times, including financial troubles in 2017.

“In 2017, I had to leave Brazil with my family to seek out a better living standard, because we had lots of financial difficulty,” he said. “Thank God now is a new period; we are achieving our goals, and that makes us happy and motivated to carry on with our journey. My daughter will be turning two soon, and I’m able to give her a good quality of life. This country has taught me many things and made me grow a lot as a human being.”

A Jiu-Jitsu student since he was 14, he also plans to compete in the coming months — which means focusing on his physical preparation. “For a long time, it was hard focusing on the training,” said Julio, whose wife Enaile is a fellow black belt.

“Even when you are competing from time to time, it’s not the same as being 100% focused on the training like athletes today are. But I have plans now to train hard and, God willing, arrive better prepared at my next competitions.”

Photo by Josh Hedges/Forza LLC/Forza LLC via Getty Images

After much talk, it is finally confirmed.

Brazilian powerhouse Cris Justino Cyborg will finally make her much anticipated UFC debut at UFC 198, on May 14, in Curitiba, Brazil.

Considered to be one of the most powerful female athletes in MMA history, Cyborg really wanted to be a part of the card to be held in her hometown of Curitiba.

She will be competing in a catchweight fight against Leslie Smith, at 139lb.

UFC 198 will be the first ever to be held in a soccer stadium in brazil, which could hold up to 40,000 people.

The card also includes Fabricio Werdum defending his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic and Ronaldo Jacaré vs. Vitor Belfort, Anderson Silva vs. Urijah Hall, among many other great match ups.

Click here for the full card.

Today, March 4, is the final day to register for the 2016 Rio Summer Open.

You need to roll on those hallowed grounds where so many of Jiu-Jitsu royalty made the sport’s history.

The 2016 Rio Summer Open is scheduled March 12-13.

Don’t miss out and book your trip to Brazil to compete, have a great time at the beach, have some proper açai and maybe catch a class with a living legend like Fernando Tererê, Alexandre Paiva, Marcio Feitosa, Dedé Pederneiras, etc.

Click here and register now.

Leandro Lo celebrates his title. Photo: Carlos Arthur/Copa Podio

Ten black belts battled for the crown of lightweight champion of the Copa Podio, this Saturday, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Leandro Lo confirmed his favoritism and kept his undefeated streak in Copa Podio GPs.

The Brotherhood BJJ leader had to fight six times to secure the trophy. First he beat Davi Ramos 6-2, then he outscored AJ Sousa 13-0 and Lucas Lepri 1-0 on advantages. His final match in the group phase was against Felipe Silva, beat 7-0.

In the semifinals, Lo had a tought battle against Marcelo Garcia’s student, Dillon Danis, and won 2-0. In the other semifinal, Lucas Lepri beat Diego Borges also by 2-0, but on the advantages.

The final match was decided by one of Lo’s irresistible sweeps for the 2-0 lead that earned him the title.

Um trechinho de Leandro Lo x Lucas Lepri na grande final da Copa Pódio. Confira a guarda soltinha e perigosíssima de Lo, campeão mais uma vez do GP dos Leves. Ele venceu Lepri por 2 a 0, e agora deve voltar ao meio-pesado para o Mundial. Seu sonho é o ouro absoluto – ele foi bronze em 2015. Curta se você torce por ele! #copapodio #sinistro #guarda #guardeiro #jiujitsu #mundial2016 #absoluto #leandrolo #faixapreta #bjj #grandprix #raspador

A video posted by GRACIEMAG Edição Brasileira (@graciemag_br) on Jan 10, 2016 at 4:38am PST

Other than the GP, the Copa Pódio featured the Vikings vs. Cabras da Peste challenge and the Scandinavian crowd won the first stage with 2 wins and a tie.

Here are the complete results fo the Copa Pódio.

Copa Podio 4th Season – Lightweight GP

Ginásio do Hebraica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

January 10, 2016

Opening Match

Max Gimenez beat Rafael Teófilo 29-0

Lightweight GP – Group Stage

Lucas Lepri beat Davi Ramos 4-2

AJ Sousa beat Felipe Silva 4-2

Dillon Danis beat Edwin Najmi 7-0

Diego Borges beat Luan Carvalho 2-1 on advantages

Lucas Lepri finished Felipe Silva with a kimura

Leandro Lo beat Davi Ramos 6-2

Diego Borges beat Dillon Danis 1-0 on advantages

Patrick Gáudio beat Edwin Najmi 2-0

Davi Ramos beat Felipe Silva 2-0

Leandro Lo beat AJ Sousa 13-0

Diego Borges beat Edwin Najmi 1-0

Luan Carvalho beat Patrick Gáudio 3-0 on advantages

Davi Ramos beat AJ Sousa 2-0

Leandro Lo beat Lucas Lepri 1-0

Edwin Najmi beat Luan Carvalho by DQ

Dillon Danis beat Patrick Gáudio 6-4 on advantages

Leandro Lo beat Felipe Silva 7-0

AJ Sousa beat Lucas Lepri 4-2

Diego Borges beat Patrick Gáudio 2-0

Dillon Danis beat Luan Carvalho 2-1 on advantages

Semifinals

Leandro Lo beat Dillon Danis 2-0

Lucas Lepri beat Diego Borges 2-0 on advantages

Third place match

Diego Borges beat Dillon Danis by medical stoppage

Final

Leandro Lo beat Lucas Lepri 2 -0

Vikings vs. Cabras da Peste

Espen Mathiesen beat Yan Pica-Pau 4-2

Tommy Langaker and Rafael Vasconcelos tied 6-6 and 2-2 on advantages

Ida “Xuxu” Floisvik beat Kessy Pereira 9-2

Submission Challenge

David Vieira beat Robson Gracie 4-2

GMA members Hannette Staack and André Terêncio will be once again promoting a huge benefit event in Brazil at the end of December.

The Brazil 021 Project helps underprivileged kids in Rio de Janeiro through the teaching of the gentle art.

On December 27, André and Hannette will be in Brazil for the end-of-the-year celebration.

You can help with donations via the project’s pay pal account: info@brazil021project.com.

Any help will be much appreciated and you can also buy commemorative t-shirts and stickers.

Click here to know more about the project.

The final registration deadline for the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Rio is Nov. 29. The event is scheduled Dec. 5-6, at the HSBC Arena, in Rio. Hundreds of athletes should gather for two days of top notch Jiu-Jitsu.

Champions in the male adult black belt divisions will take home $2000 in prizes. There’s money prizes for several other divisions too. Click here to register now and be part of an amazing event organized by the UAEJJF.

Jiu-Jitsu legend Fernando Tererê is working hard to take his creative style of BJJ to the world.

Recently he went to Europe to visit three academies in the UK linked to his team.

“We have branches at Bournemouth, Southampton, Andover and Isle of Wight. A fifth one will be opening soon in Spain,” tells us Tererê.

Tererê reveals how the idea of the branches in the UK came about: “One of my students, Jimmy Johnstone, liked the way I taught my classes and decided to open the schools.”

Besides the network of academies, Tererê is also ahead of a social work in his native community of Cantagalo, in Rio de Janeiro.

The Tererê Kids Projects helps kids from the community to find a positive activity through Jiu-Jitsu.

Click here to know more.

The 2015 ADCC had so many thrills that Stuart Cooper had to release two highlight reels.

Here’s number 2.

Watch and enjoy.