Rodolfo Vieira practicing guard / GRACIEMAG archive photo

by Vitor Freitas

Current world heavyweight-title holder Rodolfo Vieira returns to competition Jiu-Jitsu this Saturday at the CBJJ Brazilian Team Nationals, and before taking to combat, the GFTeam ace had a quick chat with GRACIEMAG.com.

GRACIEMAG: A lot of our readers called for you to be added to the Metamoris card, where big-name Jiu-Jitsu competitors face off in 20-minute, no-points-counted supermatches. What’s your take on the event, set to go down October 14 in San Diego, California?

RODOLFO VIEIRA: Man, that’s one event I’d do anything to watch. Ralek Gracie [promoter of the event] even invited me to face Ryron [the Gracie will be facing André Galvão]. But it’ll be on the same day as another event, in Brasilia. I thanked him for the opportunity and told him, this year I’ll have to pass. Now I’m rooting for my buddy Bochecha. He has a really tricky match ahead of him against Roger Gracie, and Roger’s Roger, right? One mistake against him and that could be it, especially in a 20-minute match. I feel that [match duration] works more in the Gracie’s favor. I’m happy Bochecha has been given this opportunity; he’s a good kid and deserves it. Sparks are going to fly in their match. It’s got the makings of the fight of the night.

What are your expectations for the contest you’re entering now?

I always expect the best. I trained so hard and am really confident—not just in myself but in my team. We’ll be going into this Brazilian Team Nationals strong at all belt levels.

How did your seminar tour of Brazil go?

It was well worth it. I got to see cool places and could see how my work is being recognized, and that’s really gratifying. I’m pleased with all the demand. I really didn’t expect it… I took some time off to train for this championship, but I’ll take it back up again afterwards. It was nice to get some time off, because travel can be kind of tiring. I couldn’t take being in any more airports…

What did you teach people?

I taught them what I do best, my guard passes, which is what I enjoy the most. It’s hard to get any guard stuff in (laughs).

Rodolfo Vieira seeks tapout from back control at 2011 Pan. Photo: GRACIEMAG.com.

Following a marathon of seminars around the United States, GFTeam ace Rodolfo Vieira will be defending his academy’s honor this Saturday in the heavyweight brown/black belt division at the Brazilian Team Nationals.

A number of brown and black belt stars are confirmed to be there.

Click here to find out who.

And the CBJJ has already released the tournament brackets.

Click here to find out who faces who.

One extra added attraction is the promising young purple belts set to lock horns on the mats at the Tijuca Tennis Club, like talented upstarts Marcio André, Patrick Gaudio and Max Gimenes, for instance.

Nova União is the current title-holding team, having won the tournament the last two years in a row.

Now what do you say, gentle reader, which team do you have winning it?

Jorge Britto (on bottom) is the leader of Toronto BJJ, the team holding the Montreal Open title, from the neighboring province. IBJJF publicity photo.

The sport Jiu-Jitsu panorama for September is such that even the coolest-tempered practitioners will get pumped up with adrenaline. This Saturday Toronto BJJ academy will be defending its title of best team at Canada’s Montreal Open. Then on the 8th and 9th, next weekend, there’ll be the Floripa Open, where the mat wizards from Brazil’s South will gather for some healthy competition; while Carson, California, will be the destination for stalwart gentle artists from across the United States who will compete at the American Nationals.

On the 15th the gi-wearing road show will set up shop in Atlanta, for the new IBJJF-promoted Atlanta International Open.

And the following weekend, on the 22nd, Rio de Janeiro will be the stage for the country’s top teams to lock horns to determine which academy will reign supreme at the Brazilian Team Nationals. And to wrap up the month, the No-Gi Pan will take the excitement to New York on the 29th.

So get out your gi, sign up, and go to town at an IBJJF competition.

So what’s your call; which teams will come up spades in the month of September? Share your thoughts with the rest of the Jiu-Jitsu world and help GRACIEMAG.com to keep improving as a website.

Juquinha's (photo) Gracie Humaitá is one of the strongest teams in the masters division. Photo: Gustavo Aragão.

The September 24 Brazilian Team Nationals 2011 in Rio will bears some news that will please academies and fans: there will be a new master category for brown and black belts. As usual, there will be two weight groups: light (under-72.9kg) and heavy (over-73kg), not counting 3kg of weight for the gi.

So you think the big teams will be signing up their masters and over-30-year-old athletes? To find out more and to confirm your team, visit the CBJJ.org website.

Peinado got the finish in two matches at Brazilian Team Nationals. Photo: Gustavo Aragão

In 2010 Antonio Peinado captured gold at the Brazilian Team and Brazilian No-Gi Nationals, as well as placing at the European Open, Pan, and Worlds. Now he’s already hard at it for next season, to kick off with the European Open.

For 2011 Peinado is eying a return to the superheavyweight division and, to be in tip-top physical form, the black belt is relying on the efforts of physical conditioning coach Rafael Alejarra.

“We got to know each other better in Bahia, when I was there helping Demian Maia train, and we became good friends. He’s going to help me get in better shape for 2011,” Peinado told GRACIEMAG.com.

The fighter explains what their work together will be like.

“We put together a really cool project. When I’m in São Paulo, he’ll send me what I should do by email and we’ll communicate regarding any questions I may have. But in February or March I should be in the U.S. For the Pan and then the Worlds. There we’ll work together on MMA conditioning. I’ll work with him whenever I’m in the States,” he says.

Do as Peinado does and get in on IBJJF tournaments. Sign up for the European Open coming up January 27 to 30 in Lisbon, Portugal, by clicking here.

"Boi" at Brazilian Team Nationals. Photo: Carlos Ozório

Alliance is loaded with well-established athletes from the lightest weight groups – like Bruno Malfacine, Rubens Cobrinha, and Michael Langhi – to the heaviest – like Antonio Peinado, Bernardo Faria, Léo Nogueira, Tarsis Humphreys and others.

However, the one who grabbed the most attention at the Brazilian Team Nationals 2010 was Fabiano Souza, aka. Boi. The fighter tapped his opponents out with kneebars in both his matches, even the decider against Vinícius Marinho, handing his team the win.

“The kneebar and omplata are two positions I practice a lot at the academy and I’m doing well in competition. I have their timing down pat,” he remarks.

Boi teaches at the Alliance branch in Bragança Paulista, his city of birth, and he trains at the team headquarters in São Paulo thrice a week alongside brown belt Andressa Correia. Although he not that well known in Jiu-Jitsu as the team’s main representatives, the black belt has racked up a lot of mileage in the fight world.

“I haven’t competed that much in the CBJJ events, but I took runner-up in the Brazilian Nationals 2004 as a purple belt after having seven matches. I also took third at the 2004 Worlds. I lived in Rio de Janeiro for two-and-a-half years, training at Black House when I dedicated myself to MMA (2w, 1l). At the last Worlds, in California, I lost in the quarterfinals to Guto Campos. It ended in a draw and they handed him the win, but I feel I deserved it for combativeness,” says the medium heavyweight.

Boi performs a kneebar, one of his greatest weapons. Photo: Carlos Ozório

Following the solid showing, Boi hopes to carry on doing well to fulfill his greatest dream of obtaining the world title in California.

“I’m big on competition. I want the IBJJF Worlds and I’m open to MMA, too. But I want the world title first, because it can open a lot of doors for me. I’m going to do the World Pro qualifiers this year, in Natal, and the Fepa World Cup. Next year I hope to keep up with the entire IBJJF calendar starting with the European Championship. I’m going to make some people uncomfortable in those events!” he warns.

“It was exciting, like the Brazilian Team Nationals is supposed to be,” remarked Augusto Tanquinho.

Check out the video of the team’s celebrations and the statements from team members Tanquinho, Theodoro Canal and Canadian import Jacob Mackenzie,  with English subtitles provided by world champion Hillary Williams.

NU purple belts. Photo: Carlos Ozório

GFTeam and Alliance took the spotlight in the brown/black belt division of the Brazilian Team Nationals yet again. But in the overall score, 2010’s winner was Nova União, repeating their achievement of becoming Brazilian Team champion in 2009.

NU did well thanks to the performance of its base, taking first and second in most divisions from blue belt juvenile to purple belt. Among the big standouts of the new generation are Kauê Damasceno, a purple belt who also won the heavyweight division at this year’s Brazilian Nationals, and Alberto Emiliano, who closed out the division with Kauê at the same event.

José Carlos Polenguinho and Ruan Rodrigues. Photo: Carlos Ozório

But there are a number of other standouts coming from the base, like juvenile blue belts Marcio André and Ruan Rodrigues, and adult blue belt José Carlos “Polenguinho”. Back to purple belt, Felipe “Japa” Iwasaki, who made the trip from Sergipe to compete in Rio, always tends to put on a show.

“We’re building a solid base, which some teams tend to leave out, concerning themselves more with the black belt division. We already have a big set of athletes for next year’s Brazilian Team Nationals and even some new black belts, like Bruno Novaes. I believe that in three or four years we’ll be strong again in all belt levels,” comments André Marola, one of the heads of the team’s Jiu-Jitsu program.

Peinado got the tapout in two matches at the competition. Photo: Gustavo Aragão

Alliance had another great performance with its heavy black belt team at last weekend’s Brazilian Team Nationals.

First, the students of Fabio Gurgel and Alexandre Paiva beat GFTeam’s B team. Rafael Bettega got an armbar submission, Bernardo Faria went part João Gabriel on points and Antonio Peinado got a chokehold finish.

Then, against Gordo-Evolve, Fabio Romão submitted Pedro Borges with a wrist lock, while Fabiano “Boi” Souza caught Renan Vital with a kneebar. As Roberto Gordo’s team only had four athletes, they were automatically eliminated.

In the big decider, against GFTeam’s team A, Peinado opened the scoring with an armbar on Vitor Henrique and Bernardo Faria used a triangle to put away Ricardo Evangelista. Rodolfo Vieira tried to rain on the parade with a choke on Bettega, but Fabiano Boi submitted Vinícius Marinho with another kneebar and secured the title for Alliance’s second time.

“Everyone trained hard for this title,” said a Bernardo Faria in celebration.

“This is one of the coolest championships to compete at because it’s not an individual thing. It involves the union of the entire group,” said Peinado in summary.

Check out Alliance’s celebrations and what the standouts had to say in the video below:

The crown went to team Nova União, which won for the second year in a row, followed by Alliance, and GFTeam. The brown and black belt disputes brought a great deal of excitement. At lightweight, GFTeam took gold for the third year in a row after beating an army from Atos comprised of Bruno Frazatto, Rafale and Guilherme Mendes. Now Alliance won the heavy division for the second year in a row, even without some of the team’s top representatives. It was left to Antonio Peinado and Bernardo Faria to captain the team with talent like Fabiano “Boi” Souza figuring in its ranks.

The party carried on with the blue and purple belts.

Check out what went on in all the belt groups in the gallery of photos by Gustavo Aragão and Carlos Eduardo Ozório:

[flickr set=72157625037891120]

Tanquinho in action. Photo from archives of Luca Atalla.

The lightweight brown and black belt title couldn’t have been determined in more exciting fashion. The score ended 3 to 2. In the crowd, sighs, eyes fixed on the clock awaiting the end of the fifth and final match.

But GFTeam would come out the victor, winning the lightweight title for the second time in a row.

With a superb performance, Augusto “Tanquinho” Mendes and Theodoro Canal’s team overcame Atos. And thanks to a point from a Canadian: In the final match, Jacob Mackenzie went past Eduardo Ramos by a mere advantage point. The advantage handed Rio de Janeiro’s GFTeam the title.

In the first match of the final, a classic right off the bat: the two black belts Theodoro Canal and Bruno Frazatto went at it to see who would open the scoring for their respective teams. Canal managed a sweep here, Frazatto got one there and the score was tied at 4 to 4, with an advantage apiece. It went to the judges to decide: Theodoro’s hand was raised! GFTeam 1, Atos 0.

The second match was between two promising up-and-comers. Zé Carlos (GFTeam) couldn’t keep David Ramos (Atos) down, the latter winning with a kneebar. GFTeam 1, Atos 1.

The third match was perhaps the best of Saturday. Augusto Tanquinho versus Guilherme Mendes. More experienced, stronger and heavier, Tanquinho stopped the star from Ramon Lemos’s team: He passed guard and back-mounted the 2009 light featherweight world champion. GFTeam 2, Atos 1.

In the fourth match, Rafael Mendes avenged his brother and beat Denílson Pimenta by 4 to 0. The GFTeam rep left the match area twice with a footlock in place, and was penalized with negative points. GFTeam 2, Atos 2.

The fifth was suspenseful. Jacob Mackenzie, a Roberto Cyborg student, went up against Atos revelation Eduardo Ramos on even terms. After ending in a 2-2 draw, however, the Canadian living in the USA was one advantage point ahead, 2 to 1. GFTeam’s 3 to Atos’s 2!

Antonio Peinado (photo) and world champion Bernardo Faria led Alliance. Photo: Carlos Ozório

Now Alliance made it to the two-time heavy winner mark, scoring 3 to 1 over GFTeam. World heavyweight champion Bernardo Faria was expected to face off with Rodolfo Vieira. But it didn’t end up happening.

Alliance took the lead scoring 2 to 0. First, Antonio Peinado faced Vitor Henrique and won by armbar submission. Alliance 1 to GFTeam 0.

Bernardo Faria stepped onto the mat soon thereafter, and submitted hard-nosed Ricardo Evangelista with a triangle. Alliance 2, GFTeam 0.

Rodolfo Vieira entered the scene and scored GFTeam’s lone point. The Julio Cesar student submitted Rafael Bettega with a choke, solidifying the strong phase he is in. Alliance 2, GFTeam 1.

In the final match, Fabiano “Boi” overcame Vinícius Marinho with a kneebar, ending a dispute of the highest level. Alliance 3, GFTeam 1!

Rafa Mendes at 2010 Worlds. The champion entered the action in Tijuca. Photo: Ivan Trindade.

The Brazilian Team Nationals 2010 is going off in Rio de Janeiro’s Tijuca Tennis Club.

In the main division, the brown/black belt one, the first final defined was the lightweight one. With safe performances from the Mendes brothers, Atos Jiu-Jitsu made it to a Brazilian Team Nationals final for the first time.

Ramon Lemos’s team, headquartered in Rio Claro, São Paulo, eliminated GFTeam’s team B and now faces GFTeam A, which made it through the semifinal with GFTeam C without fighting.

Could GFTeam have what it takes to stop Atos? Or would it be better to ask is Atos capable of stopping GFTeam, the current champion?

Among the heavyweights, current champion Alliance is in the final against GFTeam A.

Romero Jacaré and Fabio Gurgel’s team first beat GFTeam B by 3 to 0 and then dispatched Gordo-Evolve also without dropping a single match.

Now GFTeam overcame Alliance B by 3 to 0, and in the semifinal eliminated Nova União by 3 to 1.

Kudos to Rodolfo Vieira (GFTeam) and Antonio Peinado (Alliance) in the division.

Alliance took the brown and black belt female division without rivals.

Check out the results thus far.

JUVENILE BLUE

Light) Nova União

Heavy) Nova União

BLUE

Light) Nova União

Middle) Alliance

Heavy) Alliance