Leandro Lo doing battle with Michael Langhi / Photo by Carlos Ozório

Take a look at this lightweight classic between guard virtuosos Leandro Lo and Michael Langhi in June of last year.

The match determined who would take the gold medal for the lightweight division at the 2011 Brazilian National Championship, held at Tijuca Tennis Club in Rio de Janeiro.

What did you learn from the match?

JT in action at IBJJF Asian Open, in Japan / Photo: Kinya Hashimoto

Today the first match for Lloyd Irvin prodigy JT Torres, the lone international star on the roster for the Copa Pódio lightweight GP, was announced. He will be facing Leandro Lo, the current lightweight champion of Brazil and one of the top talents in the latest generation of Jiu-Jitsu competitors.

The only prior encounter between the two occurred at the 2011 Brazilian National Championship, which Lo won by two advantage points.

As there is an odd number of athletes in the groups, one competitor will receive a bye with each round. Thus JT’s will sit out a match before going through to the second round and face Leandro Lo, who will have faced Moacir Mendes Jr. in the first.

Who do you have pegged to take the GP? Comment below.

Copa Pódio will be held under the group system, where all the athletes from group A face off, as do those from group B. The best placed go through to the next stage.

Check back with GRACIEMAG.com for more breaking news about the December 17 Copa Pódio in Porto Alegre.

A black belt of less than two years, Leandro won the WPJJ in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Luca Atalla.

São Paulo State native Leandro Lo (Cícero Costha) is Jiu-Jitsu’s big revelation of the season. In 2011, the lightweight from Cícero’s outreach project won the World Professional JJ Championship in Abu Dhabi (WPJJ), the Brazilian Nationals, the Rio Open, and even triumphed at weight and open weight at the WPJJ tryouts in Natal, Brazil, just to mention a few of the titles he’s earned over the course of the year.

Now, the black belt is readying his guns for the December 17 Copa Pódio in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. “My preparations are coming along fine, I’m training just like I have throughout the year, and I hope everything works out alright,” he told GRACIEMAG.com.

Some bold rules were adopted for the competition, like the six-minute match duration. “I feel it’s great; it makes competitors attack more, without even thinking about stalling. Another cool idea is having the folks compete among each other. After the five on one side of the bracket face the other five, the one with the best game and gas goes through to the final. I’m really for it,” remarked Lo, who has just one strategy for coming out on top at tournaments. “To win, I feel the only formula is to train a lot and keep your head on straight.”

As for the stalwart submission aces ahead of him, Lo doesn’t point out any one as being the most sinister. “That’s a hard question to answer, because the new lightweights coming up the ranks are top tier, so every match will be like a final – there isn’t one main opponent,” said Lo, who is also the No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu champion of Brazil, in closing. (Check out Lo in action in Abu Dhabi in the following video.)

Confira quem enfrenta quem na Copa Pódio, a seguir.

Ricardo Evangelista against Leandro Lo in open weight semifinal at Rio Open / Photo: Gustavo Aragão

Ricardo Evangelista was stoked after winning the absolute division at the Rio Open

last Saturday, when he closed out with training partner Igor Silva. The fact he was unable to win his weight group (Caio Magalhães took the gold) didn’t matter much, if just because Ricardo fought with an injured shoulder.

“My left shoulder was injured and I overcame it. I lost at weight but because my opponent deserved it,” said the current Brazilian national champion.

“The good phase I’m going through comes down to hard training,” he begins. “The Brazilian national title motivated me even more for the rest of the season. I needed a gold medal from a major event, and my self-confidence improved. Training with Master Julio Cesar, my physical conditioning coach, André Ferreira, and the guys at GFTeam did the rest. I started believing I have what it takes to beat anybody,” he explains. (Watch the semifinal against Leandro Lo below.)

“The team affirmed its potential and won the Rio Open overall; the difference there was that we have top-notch training partners at all weights and belts. It’s a privilege to be able to train with Rodolfo Vieira, the best there is right now, and Igor Silva, Arthur Gogó, Renato Fraga, Theodoro Canal, Denilson Pimenta, Vinícius Marinho, Jake Mackenzie, Morcego…” he details.

“Now I have to take care of my injured shoulder and get back to training as quickly as possible. I want to keep my focus, compete at the Brazilian team nationals and next year be at the Worlds – this year I didn’t have the means to make it there, but next time I’ll be there,” says Ricardo, who open to teaching seminars (interested parties can contact him at evangelistajj@hotmail.com).

Ronaldo alongside also world champ Durinho / Photo: Personal archive

One of the Atos aces to enter the scene by storm, winning the Brazilian Nationals, Pan and Worlds at light featherweight, Ronaldo Candido carries on strong in competition. Last Saturday in Las Vegas the brown belt took on the black belts in the Grapplers Quest advanced division and had a splendid display.

“I fought in the under-67kg black belt division. I won a belt and a medal, had three matches in all. The first I won on points, the semifinal by rear-naked choke, and the final by guillotine choke. Thank God I’m keeping up my solid performances in competition. I’ve been practicing a lot of No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu here in San Diego with André Galvão, Bruno Frazatto and Davi Ramos, who has been helping me a lot in training,” he told GRACIEMAG.com.

Photo: personal archive

“I’m doing a season here in San Diego and it’s been great. I’m learning a lot and I’ll be in any competition that comes up here in California. I’m hungry and want to compete. I’d like to thank Ramon Lemos and the whole Atos team,” he says in closing.

Léo in hard fought final with Bochecha / Photo: Ivan Trindade

Absolute world champion at brown belt in 2009 Leonardo Nogueira was highly touted as he made his entrance in the ranks of black belt. His journey at the highest level was no easy one, but the 2011 season served to carve a spot out for himself among the big boys once and for all. After conquering the absolute division at the Brazilian Nationals, the Alliance rep nabbed his first world title at the belt. He had his work cut out for him in doing so, having to face the likes of João Assis and Marcus Bochecha in the heavyweight division.

In the USA, where he’s conducting a series of seminars, Léo spoke with GRACIEMAG.com. Here’s what he had to say:

What was the most difficult ordeal you faced at this World Championship?

The real difficulty came in the final against Bochecha, because early on in the fight I got taken down, costing me two points. The final was really hard fought, with two points and two advantage points apiece, and so it was left in the hands of the judges.

Moment when Bochecha took Léo down / Photo: Ivan Trindade

At the Brazilian Nationals you won the absolute and now you got your first world title as a black belt. What are your thoughts about this solid phase you’re going through.

It comes from a lot of dedication and years of hard training. I do six hours of preparation each day. I do Jiu-Jitsu in the morning, in the afternoon I tend to swim, and at the end of the day I work on technique and at night I do physical conditioning.

What was it like to win a World Championship as a black belt? Did you feel fulfilled, like you achieved a goal you were obligated to reach?

The feeling is one of relief, it took a load off my shoulders. I devoted myself to Jiu-Jitsu a lot, dropped out of college, moved to São Paulo, overhauled my routine so as to dedicate myself and be good at what I do. I completed the task at hand this year, but training never stops.

What do you have planned for the rest of the season?

I’ve got seminars lined up in Europe for the second half of the year and I want to study and train judo, to round out my Jiu-Jitsu even more.

Lenadro Lo (on top) against Tanquinho was one of the highlights of the Brazilian Nationals. Photo: Gustavo Aragão.

The Jiu-Jitsu World Championship kicks off this Thursday in Long Beach, and the pyramid-shaped gymnasium will be overrun with riveting matchups. Beforehand, however, some of the best Jiu-Jitsu stylists on the planet warmed up their turbines in Brazil, many of whom are sure to put on a show in California.

The folks from Brazilian television’s “Sensei Sportv” program checked it all out up close at the Tijuca Tennis Club, the very venue where the primordial world championships were held. In the videos below, check out the coverage showing some marvelous battles. Among them: Leandro Lo vs. Michael Langhi, Bruno Malfacine vs. Felipe Costa, Ricardo Evangelista vs. Antonio Peinado, Bruno Frazatto vs. Leonardo Saggioro, Ary Farias vs. Gabriel Moraes, Sérgio Moraes vs. Nivaldo de Oliveira, and Michelle Nicolini vs. Lauriane Santos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGrtA8LA8ro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUd5L6fvb5A

Daniel Garcia in the grand middleweight finale in Tijuca / Photo: Gustavo Aragão

Daniel “Neguinho” Garcia (Nova União) was flying under the radar in the middleweight division for the 2011 Worlds, but then he blipped up out of the blue – and dropping bombs.

It came down to his stellar performance at the Brazilian Nationals this past May, when he won a division stacked with the likes of Alan “Finfou” do Nascimento, Augusto “Tio Chico” Vieira, and other seasoned competitors.

The Nova União middleweight had faith in himself and came up spades. His first match saw him pass guard and finish with a choke. He went on to win his second while Alan Finfou ended up getting injured and was unable to make the semifinal, so all that was left to do was head straight into the final against Tio Chico – one of the finest gentle art displays witnessed that weekend of May 14 and 15 in Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro.

Daniel recounts how it went:

“The strategy that played out in the final was to score and take the lead, to keep him down as long as possible. In the final minute I exploded again, did a reversal I always practice in the academy, and it worked out: I landed on top and won, 4-2,” recalls Garcia, who teaches in the USA.

“The problem is that I had to make some changes for the Worlds. A lot of folks have started to taking notice of my game, so my teacher Rodrigo Feijão decided to switch some things up as a precaution,” said the black belt of one and a half years, providing no further clues.

Ary receiving black belt at Atos, with Gui Mendes in background / Photo: publicity, 2010.

European and Brazilian national champion Ary Frias is already warming up his turbines to, as he puts it, take an unforgettable “tandem flight” with training partner Guilherme Bendes at the 2011 Worlds.

Gui won the World Championship in 2009, the year Ary won it as a brown belt. Now, the goal is to rain on the parade of Minas Gerais native Pablo Silva, the current champ, who last year closed out the final with Samuel Braga, another Vinícius Draculino student.

First let’s talk about the Brazilian Nationals in Rio. Which was the match you learned the most from?

All three matches were really tough. I managed to make my first two opponents tap, and the final was a battle against former world champion Gabriel Moraes. I won on a trifle, on points, but I always have a submission up my sleeve. I’m facing older, more experienced guys, and even so I beat established names like Leandro Martins and Gabriel. I have great respect for those guys, after all, when I was still getting started as a yellow belt, those guys were already champions at black belt. So I feel all the matches were tough, but without a doubt the final was the most moving. And that was when I was crowned nine-time Brazilian national champion, from yellow to black belt. That’s pretty consistent, huh? Since when I was 12 years old I’ve competed at nine Brazilian Nationals and never lost in my weight division. I don’t think anyone has done that to this day.

What was the final like?

It ended 2 to 0, but I wasn’t up against just anybody, I was face to face with a world champion (2004). What’s most important is that the title stayed in place, since Gabriel is from Manaus, so Amazonas state kept the title.

Which do you feel was the best match of the Brazilian Nationals?

I saw a bunch of excellent matches, but without a doubt the one that caught my attention most was between Michael Langhi and Davi Ramos. They showed why they’re some of the best around. It was a war from start to finish, both of them showing the soul of warriors.

Cool, now what about the Worlds in June? Who are the contenders in your category, the light featherweight division?

The Worlds is the Worlds. It’s about time to see who put in the most work throughout the year, who’s donned the gi most, and who’s the most daring. The division is packed with aces – I’ve noticed about nine there who’ve shown they’re firing on all cylinders. The winner will earn the right to pound his chest and say he’s world champion, and the loser will be able to say that he fell to a beast of the sport. But my target is fixed, I want to shine brighter than the others and I’ve got my crosshairs on everyone. But obviously you can’t take the focus off the champions, Pablo Silva and Samuel Braga – two monsters.

At light feather will it be you and Gui Mendes representing Atos?

For sure, we’re going on a tandem flight, and we’re not going to back down to anybody, and it’s in God’s hands. I’ve never seen Gui like he is now before, in impeccable form. Our biggest objective is to leave the pyramid with the glory and the gold medal. We’re channeling all our energy and charging up our carburator for this Worlds. We’ll need to burn a lot of fuel over there; not just us but the whole Atos melting pot, everyone’s in great shape at the other weight classes, too.

Léo passed Pé de Pano's guard in the open weight semifinal. Photo: Gustavo Aragão.

Black belt Leonardo Nogueira is toiling away in training in São Paulo, from where he will embark May 31 for the World Championship in California, shouldering the responsibility of being the best in Brazil.

Léo won the absolute division at the May 16 Brazilian Nationals, but he secured the gold one day earlier, when he and his housemate Sérgio Moraes closed out the open weight class for Alliance.

Possessing an imposing guard game that has already carried him to world championship gold as a brown belt in 2009, Nogueira now wants the title coveted by all: the world black belt title, and in Roger Gracie’s very division.

“I’m going in at super heavyweight, stronger and much more confident. I’m also training as if to fight in the absolute too, but that’s up to Fabio (Gurgel); the guy’s really mysterious about it,” jokes the fighter who’s competing with Marcelo Garcia, Bernardo Faria, Sérgio Moraes and others for a berth in the open.

“We’re training a lot here and in the final stretch, going over guard-passing details. I’m aware my sweeps are well known, but these days I’ve been passing better than sweeping, I think,” said the man who swept Pé de Pano (and passed his guard) in the semifinal of the absolute at the Brazilian Nationals. Will Léo be ready to “succeed” Roger on the super heavyweight podium?

Tanquinho celebrating win over Rafael Mendes / Photo: John Lamonica

To prepare for the 2011 Worlds in Long Beach, Augusto “Tanquinho” Mendes made a speedy return to the USA. Namely to Florida, where he is conducting a highly sought-after seminar at our GMA Renato Tavares’s academy, ATT Vero Beach.

Just after last weekend’s Brazilian Nationals, Tanquinho was sure of one thing: he would compete at lightweight. But… “When I arrived here I was lighter than usual. Now I’m not so sure, and Renato and the folks at ATT are pushing for me to drop to featherweight. I’m going to sign up at lightweight and then decide at the last minute.”

So now Tanquinho is between a rock and a hard place – and wherever he ends up, there’s a good chance of a riveting rematch.

Last Sunday at the Brazilian Nationals he was eliminated by Leandro Lo. “I beat him at the 2011 Pan by 4 to 0, and the kid’s good people, deserves the conquests he’s been seeing. In Abu Dhabi he came up and talked to me about the competition, said he’s not used to fighting big names. I told him there was no one to fear or respect – just go for it. After he beat Langhi he came and poured thanks on me for the words I shared with him. At the Brazilian Nationals the spell worked against me,” chided Tanquinho. “We’ll see, it’s 1-1 so far, and I want a tie-breaker. I really want to fight him again.”

However, should he drop to featherweight…

“Then the rematch will be a whole different war, won’t it? I’m going to try for a repeat of what I did against (current champion) Rafael Mendes in Abu Dhabi. At least I proved it wasn’t impossible. However it plays out – at feather or at lightweight –, I’ll be well prepared,” said Augusto in closing, in his ever-calm manner.

Leandro and his guard fended off JT at the last Brazilian Nationals. Photo: Gustavo Aragão.

GRACIEMAG.com readers know what’s up. The first time we heard praise for Cicero Costha’s lightweight student Leandro Lo Pereira do Nascimento, it was on our commentary board. “I’ve never seen anyone pass guard the way Leandro does in championships!” said a web user.

The remark was made after Leandro lost the gold-winning match in the absolute at the São Paulo state championship to ultraheavyweight Gabriel Vella. “I couldn’t score a point on the kid,” said the Ryan Gracie black belt in awe. “I got a few advantages from making it to his side, but his guard is really slick. He’s here to stay in the lightweight division,” said Vella in praise.

From the look of it, he really is here to stay. After twice beating two-time world champion Michael Langhi, in Abu Dhabi and in the final of the Brazilian Nationals on Sunday, Lo is now one of the lightweight elite.

But what’s the secret to his meteoric rise, if Leandro didn’t even make it onto the winners’ podium at the 2011 Pan? His master, Cicero Costha, breaks it down for GRACIEMAG.com.

“Can I say it? Even I didn’t think he’d make it to the top three at weight so quickly. Of course he’s a great fighter, kills himself in training, and has a really pesky guard, but I was judging by the Pan. He didn’t make it past his second match, so we thought it would take a bit longer for him to start showing through,” says Cicero, a teacher from São Paulo who runs the Lutando pelo Bem charity project, where 400 young Jiu-Jitsu practitioners train.

A black belt for under two years, Leandro also won in Abu Dhabi / Photo: Luca Atalla

“It was when we had a talk that I realized that Lo, with his loose and laid back style, carried his style too dangerously on the mat. So after the Pan I asked that him to not test his Jiu-Jitsu too much, as we already knew it was good, and fight more strategically, with a more restrained game,” reveals Cicero – himself a medal collector, between the years 2004 and 2006, having been stopped at featherweight by fighters like Frédson Alves, Mário Reis, Bruno Frazatto and Rubens Cobrinha.

Leandro agreed, held himself back some, and then the surprise came: he won in Abu Dhabi, beating Celso Venicius in the final; and took the Brazilian national title, overcoming Langhi by an advantage point. So brazen is he, Leandro enjoys dabbling in the absolute – at the Nationals he stopped at two-time absolute champion Márcio Pé de Pano.

“Pé swept and put the pressure on, until he got a hold of Lo’s arm, and Lo tapped right away, so as not the be hurt for Sunday,” recalls Cicero.

On the Monday following his gold-winning display at the Brazilian Nationals, Leandro didn’t want to hear about partying, even with the 22 years he turned last week. He got right back to training, and when he got there he received a present: a visa to fight in the USA, at the 2011 Worlds. Also students at Cicero’s São Paulo academy, devilish brothers Paulo and João Miyao got their passports stamped for Long Beach.