Você comanda uma academia de sucesso em Brentwood, na Califórnia, transmitindo Jiu-Jitsu a um público bastante diversificado: crianças, adultos, a turma de terceira idade, policiais, empresários, competidores, e até veteranos de guerra. Quais são as virtudes que um professor deve ter para lidar tão bem com um público diversificado? E quais erros não pode cometer?
THIAGO GAIA: Sim, tem sido um trabalho maravilhoso poder ensinar Jiu-Jitsu para diferentes tipos de pessoas, acredito que o principal para ter sucesso é amar o dia a dia das aulas, entender que você é um prestador de serviço e que mesmo que você não esteja em um bom dia, sua responsabilidade é ensinar BJJ da melhor forma possível e fazer as pessoas se sentirem bem em um ambiente agradável. Meus alunos vêm para os treinos principalmente pelo bem estar que um treino de Jiu-Jitsu gera, então mesmo que eu não esteja em um bom dia, faço o meu melhor para que a aula seja agradável e produtiva.

Acredito que um grande erro é tratar e enxergar os alunos apenas como números de um negócio, isso diminui a importância do trabalho, eu procuro santificar o meu trabalho através do bem que o BJJ gera na vida do meu aluno, uns perdem peso e saem da depressão, outros aumentam a confiança se tornando capazes de se defenderem em situações de perigo. O Jiu-Jitsu é o meu meio de vida, é o que põe o pão na mesa da minha família, então o lado financeiro tem sim sua importância, mas o erro é focar somente nisso. O foco no benefício que o BJJ gera na vida do aluno é o que dá um sentido mais profundo no meu trabalho e me faz ir para a academia todos os dias.

Com cerca de 10 lutas profissionais de MMA, o que você aprendeu de melhor nessa trajetória eletrizante nos ringues?
O MMA é o esporte mais intenso que já pratiquei, é um esporte que exige um conhecimento técnico de diversas artes marciais, um preparo físico altíssimo, bastante controle emocional e muita coragem para aceitar a vulnerabilidade de entrar em um octógono enfrentando um oponente treinado que está disposto a te machucar para obter a vitória. Não é um esporte para qualquer pessoa.

São exatamente as dificuldades que o MMA impõe que me fizeram evoluir como pessoa; enfrentar os medos, usá-los a meu favor e ter muita fé em Deus. Fica mais fácil superar os desafios de uma luta quando se tem uma crença em Deus, em vez de tentar hiper-racionalizar todas a possibilidades que podem acontecer na luta, treinar ao máximo para estar preparado para tudo e entregar na mão de Deus, pois às vezes até resultados ruins poderão gerar benefícios em um futuro no qual a nossa limitação humana não é capaz de enxergar. O MMA para mim gerou muito crescimento pessoal.

Algumas pessoas gostam de artes marciais mas têm receio de ingressar numa academia e praticar. O que você costuma dizer a essas pessoas? Quais são os benefícios que uma academia de Jiu-Jitsu oferece às pessoas e à sociedade de uma forma geral?
Esse é o eterno dilema do aluno faixa-branca interessado em arte marcial, ele inconscientemente acredita que precisa estar preparado para iniciar no BJJ, pois acredita que os alunos mais experientes vão ”bater” nele. Isso é uma ilusão, a mente dele cria esses medos e o impede de iniciar algo que irá mudar sua vida.

Em uma boa academia, com um professor profissional e experiente, esse aluno será acolhido em um ambiente amigável e compreensivo com suas limitações, é por isso que na minha academia os alunos que nunca praticaram arte marcial iniciam na aula ”Fundamentals class”, na qual ele irá aprender os primeiros conceitos do Jiu-Jitsu e trabalhar situações específicas, respeitando sua limitação física e técnica, assim em pequenos passos o aluno vai adquirindo mais confiança e melhor preparo físico para poder frequentar as aulas mais avançadas. Muitos dizem que estão fora de forma para iniciar, eu respondo dizendo que irão adquirir o preparo físico necessário durante o treino, não procrastinando sua decisão de iniciar por desculpas criadas na sua mente.

Você é amigo de infância do Marcus Buchecha, um dos maiores competidores de Jiu-Jitsu de todos os tempos. Como essa proximidade com um ícone influenciou a sua carreira? E, como professor e coach, que dicas fundamentais você dá aos seus alunos que têm como meta a medalha de ouro dos principais campeonatos?
Eu acompanho a carreira do ”Buchecha” desde que éramos faixas-azuis juvenis, lutávamos na mesma categoria de idade, mas em diferentes categorias de peso, ele treinava na Checkmat em Santos e eu em São Paulo, pude ver ele sendo campeão mundial na categoria e no absoluto em todas as faixas e presenciar a transformação de um moleque simples e brincalhão para um ícone do esporte.

Não preciso citar o quão excepcional ele é como atleta, seus títulos já demonstram por si só, mas o que me faz ver nele uma das principais referências do esporte é a sua postura durante todo o decorrer de sua carreira; ele não vendeu sua personalidade para a geração do ”trash talk” oriunda de alguns atletas do MMA, você nunca vai ver o Buchecha desrespeitando adversários ou perdendo a postura de artista marcial, ele mantém a confiança na vitória sem precisar menosprezar ou desrespeitar ninguém. Acredito que o BJJ precisa dar mais valor para atletas que não são apenas atletas de alta performance, mas sim artistas marciais que não esqueceram que o Jiu-Jitsu é uma arte marcial e buscam resgatar os valores que foram esquecidos em prol de um ”show bussiness moderno” que tem sim sua demanda, que é reflexo da decadência moral da sociedade atual, mas para o artista marcial é preferível dar o bom exemplo, mesmo que poucos o ouçam, do que corromper o sentido da arte marcial para ser ouvido por uma multidão histérica e sem valores.

Coach da Mayra Sheetara, atleta do UFC, como você analisa o crescimento da prática de Jiu-Jitsu pelas mulheres e também o papel da defesa pessoal no cotidiano feminino?
Eu e a Sheetara treinamos juntos já faz mais de 7 anos, desde a época em que morávamos em São Paulo e treinávamos na Chute Boxe Diego Lima, meu foco com ela sempre foi na parte do BJJ, hoje em dia ela é uma das maiores finalizadoras do UFC e é muito gratificante vé-la realizar seus sonhos, estamos sempre em contato e nos reencontrando durante seus treinamentos, e hoje em dia ela está super bem assessorada pelos profissionais da American Top Team.

A Sheetara é uma mulher muito forte, toda a força e garra que ela demonstra em suas lutas são um reflexo das superações que ela teve em sua vida pessoal, superou diversas dificuldades, sejam financeiras ou de saúde, respeito e admiro a força que ela tem.

O BJJ é essencial para as mulheres, ele é a arte marcial onde o mais fraco fisicamente pode superar o mais forte através da técnica, então no quesito de defesa pessoal para as mulheres é a arte marcial primordial, uma mulher bem treinada no BJJ aumenta suas chances em uma situção de defesa pessoal contra um homem, que em via de regra tem mais força física. Recomendo para todas as mulheres iniciarem no Jiu-Jitsu, minha esposa treina e minha filha que está a caminho irá treinar também.

MANUAL DE SUPERAÇÃO

Entenda como o Jiu-Jistu ajudou a multicampeã Gabi Garcia a se protegera de adversários terríveis, como o bullying, a depressão e a obesidade. E tire proveito disso!

Superestrela do Jiu-Jitsu, Gabi Garcia abre o coração e fala sem inibições sobre os momentos mais marcantes e polêmicos de sua vida e de sua carreira, desde a infância assombrada pelo bullying, passando pela dieta regrada, até o sonho de um dia ser campeã do UFC. De quebra, a faixa-preta ensina, em detalhes, quatros das técnicas que mais gosta de aplicar para trucidar as adversárias nos campeonatos.

DO JIU-JITSU PARA O MMA

Direto do Arizona, nos Estados Unidos, Augusto Tanquinho e Ben Henderson ensinam quatro posições da arte suave que costuma salvá-los nos treinos de vale-tudo.

GRAÇAS AO JIU-JITSU

Prestes a dar sua centésima faixa-preta, Francisco Toco, da Nova Geração, relembra o dia em que sobreviveu à morte no mar graças ao que aprendeu na arte suave.

A MENINA QUE DOMOU A PRESSÃO + COMO NÃO SE ABALAR COM AS DERROTAS

Em nossa seção INTRO, trazemos o feito de Mackenzie Dern, a peso pena que derrotou Gabi Garcia no WPJJC, em Abu Dhabi. Como lidar com derrota, alías, é tema também da nossa Página Branca, que traz 10 dicas do craque Guilherme Mendes sobre Jiu-Jitsu, motivação e sucesso nos treinos.

LUTA E REDENÇÃO

Feras do MMA, Anthony Johnson, Robbie Lawler e Mirko Cro Cop ensinam que nenhuma queda é definitiva.

AS VIRTUDES DA BARRA HEXAGONAL

Especialista em preparação física, Martin Rooney traz dicas para o uso de um equipamento engenhoso, capaz de aliviar a pressão sobre as suas costas durante vários exercícios, diminuindo as chances de você causar ou agravar lesões.

GANHANDO CORPO

A cada dia a lista de academias participantes do GRACIEMAG INDICA aumenta. São professores buscando maior visibilidade de suas escolas ao mesmo tempo que alunos aproveitam as indicações que auxiliam na hora da escolha do lugar para treinar.

E MAIS:

– O show de Buchecha em Abu Dhabi
– Carlos Gracie Jr. recebe a faixa vermelha e branca
– O Jiu-Jitsu de Jacaré e Rockhold em cena no UFC de Nova Jersey
– Os desafios de dois médicos no caminho até a faixa-preta
– Antologia: o então faixa-roxa Rafael dos Anjos no Mundial 2003

Bernardo Faria turns 28 today! The two-time black belt world champion who currently trains and teaches at Marcelo Garcia Academy in New York City is one of the most recognizable Jiu-Jitsu athletes. His tried and true deep half guard and sweeps are characteristics of this guy’s game and his battles with the Buchecha and Rodolfo Vieira have most likely graced your computer screens.

Check out this interview about the champion to celebrate his birthday:

Cyborg wins the ADCC absolute. Photo: Erin Herle

The finals of the 2013 ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship brought submissions, overtimes, injuries and upsets at the Ditan Gymnasium in Beijing China. With twenty minute matches and a possibility of two ten-minute overtimes, some matches went the distance. Some ended in surprise submissions and some ended in serious celebrations.

+99kg

Buchecha secures a heel hook on Joao Gabriel Rocha. Photo: Erin Herle

Joao Gabriel Rocha defeated Jared Dopp in the semi-finals by three points to Jared’s two. The other semi-final match had Marcus Buchecha Almeida with the win over Roberto Cyborg Abreu by three points with a backtake. In the final, Buchecha and Joao Gabriel Rocha faced off on the feet for most of the match but once on the ground and after a couple attempts, Buchecha was able to secure a heel hook for the gold.

Males:

-99kg

Joao Assis wins the final of -99kg. Photo: Erin Herle

Dean Lister versus Cristiano Lazzarini ended in a heel hook for the semi-final. On the other side of the bracket Joao Assis defeated Leo Nogueira with a harsh heel hook. In the final, Joao Assis and Dean Lister went the distance with points scored only near the end. The time limit was reached with Joao on Dean’s back with both hooks in and a rear naked choke in the works.

-88kg

Romulo Barral works to take the back of Rafael Lovato Jr. Photo: Erin Herle

Rafael Lovato Jr. and Pablo Popovitch faced each other in the semi-final that went into one overtime and was a close match until the very end as Lovato won via one penalty for Pablo. In the other semi-final, Keenan Cornelius and Romulo Barral took turns with takedown attempts and backtakes but Romulo came out with the win after one overtime and a penalty for Keenan. In the final, Romulo and Rafael Lovato Jr. stood standing for nearly the entire match with some takedown attempts exchanged and a heel hook attempt from Lovato. In the last minute, Romulo secured the back and earned three points for the win.

-77kg

Kron Gracie secures a guillotine on Otavio Sousa. Photo: Erin Herle

Kron Gracie and JT Torres in the semi-final ended with Kron securing an armbar in the first half of the match. Otavio Sousa was able to take the back of Leo Vieira and gain three points to move on. In the final, Kron and Otavio stood standing with a penalty given to Otavio for backing away too much. When it finally went to the ground, Otavio had shot in for a takedown and Kron secured a guillotine which ended the match.

-66kg

Cobrinha Charles defeats Rafael Mendes by referee decision. Photo: Erin Herle

Rafael Mendes spent his semi-final match attempting to pass Joao Miyao’s guard and earned a takedown in overtime for the win. Rubens Cobrinha Charles faced Justin Rader and won after a sweep in the second half of the match. In the final, Cobrinha and Rafa went into two overtimes since the score was tied from Cobrinha’s takedown and Rafa’s sweep. Eventually it came down to referee decision and Cobrinha earned the gold.

Female:

+60kg

Gabi Garcia secures a choke. Photo: Erin Herle

Gabi Garcia faced Maria Malyjasiak in the final. Gabi took Maria down and secured a darce that ended the match.

-60kg

Michelle Nicolini with a toehold on Luanna Alzuguir. Photo: Erin Herle

Michelle Nicolini faced Luanna Alzuguir in the final. After Michelle pulled guard she got ahold of Luanna’s foot and ended the match with a toehold.

Superfight

Mario Sperry and Fabio Gurgel went into two overtimes with no points scored. At the end, Mario Sperry earned the referee decision.

Male Absolute

Dean Lister defeated Hideki Sekine by heel hook
Rustam Chsiev defeated Orlando Sanchezby three points
Marcus Almeida defeated Garry Tonon by three points
Oskar Piechota defeated Vinny Pezao by three points
Keenan Cornelius defeated Ezra Lenon by heel hook
Roberto Cyborg defeated Kamil Uminski by rear naked choke
Jared Dopp defeated Leo Nogueira by two points
Joao Gabriel Rocha defeated David Avellan by eight points

Quarters

Marcus Almeida defeated Rustam Chsiev by four points
Dean Lister defeated Joao Gabriel Rocha by heel hook
Keenan Cornelius defeated Oskar Piechota by six points
Roberto Cyborg defeated Garry Tonon (who stepped in for an injured Jared Dopp) by eleven points

Semi-finals

Marcus Almeida defeated Dean Lister by five points
Roberto Cyborg defeated Keenan Cornelius by six points

Bronze medal match

Keenan Cornelius defeated Dean Lister by three points

Final

Roberto Cyborg went against Marcus Almeida in a slow match that elevated quickly once the second half of the match started with points allowed. After takedowns were secured by Cyborg, Buchecha hurried to catch up but it cost him more points against him and he wasn’t able to secure a submission for the win. Cyborg won by ten points.

In response to his win, Cyborg said, “Truly, it wasn’t even in my best dreams to become champion of the open class. I worked my whole life for it.” After losing to Buchecha in the semifinal of his weight category, he came back with a new strategy and new drive that paid off.

Bruno Bastos passing the guard. Photo: Gustavo Aragao

Competition veteran and Nova Uniao black belt leader Bruno Bastos is signed up once again to compete in the IBJJF Masters & Seniors World Championship. The 2013 event is scheduled for October 5-6 at the Long Beach Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, CA, the same location of the prestigious adult World Championship that happens every June. Your chance to compete is still open as registration does not close until Sept. 27. Register here: www.ibjjf.org

For Bruno, this will be his second time competing in the event, only in it’s second year since moving to the pyramid in 2012. With a new baby in town, his motivation has increased even more and the drive to make his family proud drives him forward. See what Bruno is planning for the event and what he looks forward to most:

GRACIEMAG: You retired from adult competition this year when you handed over your belt to Buchecha in June. Does your retirement from adult competition make this Masters world title more important to you?

BRUNO BASTOS: I see myself still showing up for some IBJJF open tournaments but sure I don’t see myself competing right now as an adult at Mundials or Pan Ams level. I would have to sacrifice my family and my students and I have done that a lot already. I got my black belt before I turned twenty-one and I’m thirty-three right now so it’s been a long road and I fought most of the best guys. I said that for sure I want to win the Masters Worlds but the biggest title for me is to make my son proud of me as well as my family and students. It’s priceless when people thank me for change their lives in a positive way.

With a new addition to your family have your priorities changed at all in terms of competition?

Sure, I won’t be gone every month because I want be with my son and my wife most of the time but I’m still going to do the big ones. I still believe that I can get an invitation from ADCC. That would be awesome after giving my belt to Buchecha to get that recognition from them after all these years. And I would go for the win!

Are you doing anything different to prepare for this year’s Masters and Seniors Worlds?

Just training with my students and doing lot of conditioning with Giulliano Gallupi and mental skills with Gustavo Dantas because six minute matches need to be done with intensity plus if ADCC happens I must be ready for battles in China.

What are you looking forward to most at the competition?

At Master Worlds besides the gold for me I want see my students doing well. Last year I had one guy compete and he got gold. I’m bringing around ten this time so it would be awesome if all of them were to get medals. Plus to see all my old friends from Nova Uniao and another schools would be great as well. As you see, it’s hard to say one thing that I’m looking forward to most (laughs).

Remember, register today and compete on the same mats as Bruno Bastos by visiting: www.ibjjf.org

Samuel Braga finishing from the berimbolo’s most desired destination. Photo: Ivan Trindade

In efforts to shed light on the berimbolo technique and in honor of our most recent print issue, #194, we give you another take on the move. The back-taking phenomenon that has recently influenced many games of competitors from white to black, is explained by GMA GB Knoxville head instructor Samuel Braga.

He recently spoke with GRACIEMAG about how he discovered the move and where he thinks it’s going. Also see the video below of examples where he has used the move in his past competitions as early as 2005.

GRACIEMAG: When did you first figure out the berimbolo move?

SAMUEL BRAGA: I figured the move out in 2003 as a purple belt, after struggling to sweep from the back step as people were avoiding my back step sweep.  I was getting stuck in that position while inverted as I’m really flexible. I was using a similar move as a blue belt, but it was more like taking the back. It was not the berimbolo yet.

What was the most memorable time you implemented it in competition?

Most memorable time was at the Brazilian Nationals as a purple belt in a really tough match. I thought I was going to lose it, but towards the end I got the move. After that it was the 2005 finals at worlds for sure as a black belt.

What do you think of the viral hype around the move today with even white belts using the technique?

I think it’s amazing seeing everyone using it and how much Jiu-Jitsu is envolving with the berimbolo. I think it is just the beginning for a new trend.

Are there pieces of the move everyone is missing out on? If so, what is missing?

I think people are missing some details that can be really important. Hip control for one. A lot of people are not controlling the hips by letting their outside hook get too low on the position so they usually miss it. But if they miss the move once then it is like a cycle. They can always go back to De La Riva and pull the move again.

What do you think of its evolution to the larger black belt divisions recently?

I think it is starting to evolve to a point that all the belts are using it. If you don’t know the move, you are behind. At least have a deep understanding to try to counter or stop the move. It’s amazing watching even heavyweights and guys like Buchecha using the move and being good at it.

For more information regarding Samuel Braga and his GMA academy in Knoxville, TN please visit www.samuelbragabjj.com and more information from him about the berimbolo and his DVD you can click here.

Buchecha was drugs free at the 2013 Pan

The 2013 Pan ultra-heavyweight and absolute black belt champion was clean of any prohibited substances.

Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida released earlier today in his Facebook page the letter he got from USADA.

The text says that he was PEDs free during the 2013 Pan.

Buchecha commented on the good news: “I asked to be the first one to be tested, so here it is! Respect the sport, hard training is the secret!!”

More results should surface in the next days.

So far, Andre Galvão, Gabi Garcia and Buchecha were cleared by the Anti0-Doping agency.

Magid Hage puts Clark Gracie to sleep with baseball bat choke / Photo by Erin Herle

The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Cup Trials in San Diego brought names onto the tongues of mainstream members, cash into the pockets of two black belt open weight champions, tickets into the hands of determined athletes at every belt level and intense cheer into the gloomy San Diego city atmosphere.

As Sunday, January 27 was set for the final matches and absolute divisions, there were also kid divisions that endured turmoil and tenacity. The little competitors started the day for the proud parents, coaches and teammates who made sure to prove that competing is fun even when losses are met for some. Tears were shed by passionate children and many hugs were given from the bystanders and sometimes even referees.

By the time the masters and seniors divisions were underway, the tone became more serious. Black belts entered the mats to fight for the open weight cash prizes and the open weight divisions for belts white through purple began to flourish.

The female divisions combined many belts and gave three opportunities to win the tickets. White and blue belts remained in the same category but because the division was combined completely, it was one of the only times we saw super heavyweights against lightweights.

The brown/black open division slowly narrowed down as all of the brown belts were taken out. One stand-out named Magid Hage from Gracie Barra debuted in his first black belt tournament and submitted multiple opponents with the baseball choke. Two of his most notable wins came from Clark Gracie’s resistance to the choke ending in a nap and Zak Maxwell nearly met the same ending but managed to tap before completely submitting himself to the trance.

The brown/black division finals were fast and ended all by points or referee decisions except for the last match where Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida footlocked James Puopolo in under two minutes.

For results of the open class winners for all belts and brown/black division winners please see below:

FEMALE

White/Blue Absolute
1-  Erica Plummer-Santana; ticket winner

2- Tara White

3- Ila Erickson

3- Natyna Vidaot

Purple/Brown/Black Absolute
1- Kristina Barlaan; ticket winner

2- Sarah Black

3- Amanda Grummon

3- Chelsea Donner

MALE

White Absolute
1- Russel Fouts; ticket winner

2-  Max Necochea

3- Russel Delmar

3- Addiweli Buul

Blue Absolute Under 183
1- Rolando Samson; ticket winner

2- Angela Guerrero-Barden

3- Evan Esaki

3- Sebastian Villanueva

Blue Absolute Over 183
1- James Russel; ticket winner

2- Brandon Tucker

3- Lucas Pollard

3- James Harris

Purple Absolute Under 183
1- Michael Liera Jr.; ticket winner

2- Rick Slomba

3-  Dominique Hoskins

3- Daniel Stoulfi

Purple Absolute Over 183
1- Mike Carbullido; ticket winner

2- Nisar Loynab

3- David Morehead

3-  Louis Villarreal

Brown/Black Absolute Under 183
1- Marcel Goncalves; $500 cash winner

2- Magid Hage

3- Zak Maxwell

3- Ryan Beauregard

Brown/Black Absolute Over 183
1- Gustavo Dias

2- James Puopolo

3- Manuel Diaz

3- Luiz Pedro Ribeiro

Brown/Black Under 143
1- Rafael Freitas; ticket winner

2- Baret Yoshida

3- Geoffrey Villarreal

3- Aaron Buck

Brown/Black Under 163
1- Zak Maxwell; ticket winner

2- Rodrigo Freitas

3- Tanner Rice

3- Marcel Goncalves

Brown/Black Under 183
1- Marcelo Mafra; ticket winner

2- Don Ortega

3- Clark Gracie

3- Ryan Beauregard

Brown/Black Under 202
1- Robert Alencar; ticket winner

2- Eliot Kelly

3- Eduardo Telles

3- Manuel Diaz

Brown/Black Over 202
1- Marcus Almeida; ticket winner

2- James Puopolo

3- Luiz Pedro Ribeiro

3- Gustavo Dias

Rafael “Barata” Freitas will compete in the final of the under 143 category at the San Diego WPJJC Trial on Sunday January 27 / Photo by Erin Herle

The matches in the Miramar College gym went off without a hitch today at the San Diego WPJJC Trial.

The day started at 10 a.m. with the adult blue belts filling the four mats. As the day moved on down the belts and the division winners were solidified, the crowds grew. The blue belts, many under the age of 21, captured the action well. By the time the purple belts began, crowds were watching intently as the athletes had their chance to shine. Moving to brown and black belts, it was a time for all to admire the technique and tenacity unfolding in search for a ticket to Abu Dhabi in April.

Overall, the final matches of each division garnered their own intensity, cheers and sweat poured. Tomorrow will be time for the absolute divisions to begin with white belts qualifying from semi-final division winners and up and all other divisions qualifying from the quarter-final winners and up.

Here are the winners of the divisions:

ADULT MALE

WHITE
Light Feather:  Chuong Vu/Lotus Club Jiu-Jitsu
Feather: Mark Barrett/Cobrinha BJJ
Light: Ivan Herrera/Undisputed
Middle: Alex Ogiyevich/Gracie Barra Northridge
Medium Heavy: Michael Scott/BJJ Revolution
Heavy: Russell Delmar/SDBJJ
Ultra Heavy: Max Necochea/Undisputed

BLUE
Light Feather: Ian Sanders/Gracie Barra Manhattan Beach
Feather: Jeremy Jackson/Gracie Barra Northridge
Light: Angelo Guerrero-Barden/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu
Middle: Erick Leon Garcia/Gracie Barra
Medium Heavy: Kaniela Kahuanui/Caio Terra BJJ
Heavy: James Gray/Megaton Jiu-Jitsu
Super Heavy: Luke Pollard/Kaijin
Ultra Heavy: James Friedrich/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu

PURPLE
Light-Feather: Bobby Castle/Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Feather: Jeremy Spry/Undisputed
Light: John Meno/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu
Middle: Nisar Loynab/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu
Medium Heavy: Daniel Hampton/Nova Uniao
Heavy: Mike Carbullido/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu
Super Heavy: David Morehead/Joe Stevenson’s Cobra Kai
Ultra Heavy: Eric Geib/Victory MMA

FEMALE ADULT

WHITE/BLUE
Light Feather: Sheryl Lawrence/Fight Sports Avengers
Feather: Claudia Diaz/Caio Terra BJJ
Light: Erica Plummer Santana Nascimento/Lotus Club Jiu-Jitsu
Middle: Christine Giaquinto/Gracie Humaita San Diego
Medium Heavy: Natyna Vidato/Selva BJJ
Heavy: Tara White/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu

PURPLE/BROWN/BLACK
Light Feather: Tracy Leung/Gracie Humaita USA
Feather: Chelsea Bainbridge-Donner/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu
Light: Sarah Black/Nova Uniao

BROWN/BLACK ADULT MALE FINALS FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 27:

Under 143: Rafael Freitas v.s. Baret Yoshida
Under 163: Rodrigo Freitas v.s. Zak Maxwell
Under 183: Don Ortega v.s. Marcelo Mafra
Under 202: Eliot Kelly v.s. Roberto Alencar
Over 202: Marcus Almeida v.s. James Puopolo

Two brown/black open divisions have been added, under 183 and over 183. Cash prize available to the winner of each at $500.

For schedule, results and more information, head to www.prosportsbjj.com

The medals for the 2013 Abu Dhabi World Pro Trials in San Diego, CA Jan 26-27

If you haven’t registered yet, make sure you go to www.prosportsbjj.com and sign up for the 2013 Abu Dhabi Pro Cup Trials in San Diego, CA on January 26-27. The San Diego event has been the hub for many ticket holders who have won their place in the 2013 Abu Dhabi World Professional Cup in Abu Dhabi.

The deadline to sign up is Tuesday, January 22 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard time, divisions from kids to seniors all welcome! The location is at the large gymnasium at Miramar College 10440 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, CA 92126.

As a five star tournament, the opportunity to gain access for a free ticket is the largest. Winners of the adult male brown/black belt weight divisions receive a package and all other ranks can win in one or two open class divisions.

Some notable attendees include: Roberto “Tussa” Alencar, Alberto Crane, Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, Rafael Freitas, Rodrigo Simoes, Kristina Barlaan, Michael Liera, Jr., Mike Carbullido, Tanner Rice, Ryan Beauregard, Manuel Diaz, Ruotolo twins, Alyssa Wilson and more!

Register now at www.prosportsbjj.com