Italian promotion Ocean BJJ is entering 2025 with a bold move: a headline sponsorship deal with Kingz Kimonos, the legendary grappling brand founded in 2011 and renowned for premium gear and deep connections with elite competitors and international tournaments.

The Ocean BJJ Pro Championship finals on September 20 will mark the debut of this partnership, with Kingz as the official sponsor. This milestone reinforces Ocean BJJ’s upward trajectory in the world of professional no‐gi grappling.

Since its inception, Ocean BJJ has been making waves: introducing a more advanced rule set, offering prize pools that scale with participation, and consistently attracting top-level talent. Aligning with Kingz adds even more prestige and signals the brand’s ambition to compete on a global stage.

“The fact that Kingz is getting involved with Ocean is massive news!” says Fabrizio Forconi, Event Manager of Ocean BJJ Pro. “This is only our second season, and yet the ruleset, production quality, and overall presentation of Ocean have already attracted not just top European names and several international athletes — from European trials competitors to our invited special guests for the finals — but also major industry brands that are clearly drawn to the way we work. That tells us we’re on the right track. Now that Kingz has partnered with Ocean, we’re only going to level up. Expect some exciting new developments, which will be announced on our social channels starting in August, well ahead of the finals on September 20.”

The Ocean BJJ Pro Championship finals will stream live on FloGrappling, featuring a world-class commentary team: Riccardo Ammendolia, Demian Maia, and Jean Jacques Machado.

Raphael Cadena made his successful return to featherweight. Photo: Reproduction

Being resilient and staying on the move are paramount requirements for achieving great things on and off the mat. This is the mantra that guides black belt Raphael Cadena, our GMI in Florida. Representative of the RMNU HQ school and trained by Leandro Azara, from A2 Jiu-Jitsu, in Teresópolis, Raphael proved the value of determination to achieve the goal set. He, who weighed in at 178lb in the last years, returned to compete at featherweight and shot the gold in his return to the division, in February.

Raphael chose to make the comeback a week before the Atlanta Open, when he began his weight cut. He needed to lose 10lb to beat the division limit. “I knew it would be painful, as my nutritionist told me, but I was willing to do it. I have faced many challenges throughout my life and this would be just one more, and it only came down to my willpower”, remembered the black belt, who also became champion of the Tampa Open in the master 1 category.

Raphael Cadena spoke with the GRACIEMAG team and talked about the challenges he faced in making the weight cut, as well as what a successful return to featherweight means. 

GRACIEMAG: What were the biggest challenges you faced in making the weight cut? And what motivated you to keep going?

RAPHAEL CADENA: The biggest challenge, without a doubt, was time. I hadn’t hit this weight in three years and I was out of shape. I didn’t train as much as I used to because I was focused on solving the issues with the American consulate and bringing my family to the United States. My motivation to reach the goal was my own mindset. I remember I was at a barbecue with friends and one of them told me that I could not make it to featherweight because I was 178lb. On another occasion, Robinho Moura told me that it would be better for me to stay at lightweight, since it would be easier to reach. These words touched me and I faced these challenges. I have always competed as a featherweight and age could not be the factor to stop me. I wanted to prove that it is possible to beat the goals set, if you put your mind in it.

What did the Atlanta Open title mean to you?

I signed up at lightweight and the IBJJF sent me an email to recommend that I change category, because the bracket was empty. I was 10lb over the featherweight limit and the championship was a week away. I talked to my wife and, against her wishes, I decided to make the weight cut. I knew it would be hard, just as my nutritionist told me, but I was willing to do it. I have faced many challenges throughout my life and this would be just one more, and it only came down to my willpower. As soon as I won the Atlanta Open, I felt like crying because of everything I had been through to get there physically and mentally prepared. This championship was a game changer in my life. I realized that I can still perform at a high level in my initial category.

What are the factors that boosted your great performance in recent championships?

First of all, my family gives me all the support I need after two years away due to the pandemic and issues with my American visa. My wife always supports me and knows that I get sad when I don’t stay active in the championships. Another reason was to surround myself with good people who take me out of my comfort zone and push me to the next level in Jiu-Jitsu. Another trigger was the advice I heard from Robinho Moura. During the class, he told us that you have to be professional every day to conquer something important, not only on the mat, but in life itself. I understood the concept of that lesson and I have applied it in my routine, accumulating small conquests along the day. I believe this is just the beginning, I will gain productive achievements in the long run.

What were the most important lessons learned during this period in the United States?

I believe it is to keep in constant movement and to be resilient. When I say being in motion, I mean learning English, building relationships, understanding the local culture, and listening to others; it is no wonder we have two ears and one mouth. I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t listened to my elders, willing to learn, and selected the people I want to live with. I was born in the Rosário neighborhood, in Teresópolis. I used to live in a slum, but I always had the vision that this would not be my reality. Therefore, I understood the need to be in movement. I became a father when I was 20 and had two choices ahead of me: stop  and accept that life or use fatherhood as fuel to take off. And I chose the second option. I was also lucky to have met good people throughout my life.

What are your next goals?

I intend to stay at featherweight and hope to change people’s lives through Jiu-Jitsu. I don’t want to set an example, but I would like to have the opportunity to help with advice, just as I have been helped in the past. This is how I want to build my legacy. Of course, I want to compete hard and medals are important, however, I value the journey more. Jiu-Jitsu is a tool that needs to be explored and I hope to spread the art to help others. People may forget the champions of two years ago, but they will remember the values they stood for and the legacy they built.

 

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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.”

Check out the challenges faced by Catriel inside and outside the World Pro mats. Photo: Reproduction

In the early hours of that Friday, April 8th, during breakfast, athlete Catriel Oliveira had the first Herculean challenge of the day, a big dose of discouragement in a whisper nearby: “Sebastian Rodriguez from Unity is on a roll! He is the best athlete in the tournament. It’s impossible to beat him at 85kg ”. Enrolled in the same division, Catriel had moments of anxiety at the table while eating at that hotel in Abu Dhabi. But the hours leading up to his brown belt duels at World Pro 2021 would be to scare off this old ghost of his day, which would be epic.

“Before the European 2020, I had a lot of problems with that”, revealed Catriel, who represents Braus Fight, in a chat with GRACIEMAG. “If I heard that I would face a tough athlete or that someone was doing well in the category, I would promptly sabotage myself mentally. In the European, I fought with another mindset. I went in to have fun, without pressure and did my best tournament. Since then, these ideas have been trying to get around me, but I focus more on myself, fight as I like and the results keep coming. The goal now is happiness. ”

A week earlier, Catriel had fought the Grand Slam, also in Abu Dhabi. In addition to overcoming two fierce disputes, against Yago Neves in the semifinal and Mikael Rhaillander in the final, the six days that separated the Grand Slam from the World Pro were critical, focusing on his complete recovery for the most complicated tournament of his life, something he did not yet know.

“I was fully supported by coach Leonardo Micussi, who has been working with me and Braus for a while. I gave my all in the Grand Slam and arrived ready to do the World Pro marathon with all those fights. ”

Catriel refers to the complicated road towards the title at the World Pro, which is divided into two stages: a classification event between Brazilians and the main bracket. In total, Catriel faced eight fights to the gold, against the best of the world in his weight division.

In the qualifying round, a real undertaking, Catriel passed by Yago Neves, Jansen Gomes, Pedro Machado, and again, Mikael Rhaillander. The four duels would already be worth a title, but four more duels would be needed to guarantee the gold and the prize money. Only a honey packet, lost in the bottom of his backpack, nourished Catriel amid so many duels. In the main bracket, his first dispute would be against Mateus Meyer, classified directly by the AJP ranking.

“I was going to my fifth fight of the day, after facing tough opponents from Brazil, and Mateus would make his first fight with me. It is at that time that the mind has to be stronger. I focused on fighting forward and it worked, ”recalled Catriel.

After beating Mateus on the points and submitting Saif Alhimany, Catriel beat Hermes Lazarus in the semifinal to finally challenge Costa Rican Sebastian Rodriguez. A complicated fight, with no points or advantages in regulation time, was defined in the golden score, after a takedown applied by Catriel. And so the cycle was closed, with 12 challenges on and off the mat, which culminated in two gold prizes and a bunch of dollars in the pockets of the Brazilian athlete.

“I never had so many fights on the same day, nor in such a short time, seeing as I faced ten fights of a high level in less than a week. I’m happy with my evolution. I lost my father a few months ago and he was my biggest supporter. I really wish he was here to see that it worked, but now my fight is for my family who is in Brazil. I am going to stay in the United Arab Emirates for a while, training and teaching at JDA Center/GFTeam Dubai, of the black belt Julio dos Anjos. But I can only think about rest next month because in June there is another big tournament here ”, concluded the beast.

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Can sex get in the way of your performance in competition or training? Graciemag.

On a pleasant afternoon in Rio de Janeiro, while he had lunch, a black-belt was sharing with a white-belt friend the benefits of practicing BJJ: “To this day I am impressed with how our art helps the students — with coordination, with gaining physical power, with cardio, with relationships, with conquering things…” After chewing some sushi he added, “Man, BJJ even helps the awkward guy have better sex.”

And thus is BJJ — useful for nearly all problems, even of the sexual nature. But what about when sex threatens to get in the way of a BJJ fighter before a competition or an important training session? Graciemag decided to investigate.

According do Dr. Turíbio Barros, a specialist in the physiology of exercise, one of the most common questions from athletes is, “Does having sex the night before a tournament hinder performance?”

Dr. Barros says: “In fighting sports, like boxing and MMA, it is known that sexual abstinence for some time before a fight is considered a true paradigm. The specialists of those sports think that the athlete accumulates aggression that might enhance physical strength when they abstain from sex during a certain period prior to a competition.” However, he points out, no study has proven scientifically the hypothesis that sex is in fact harmful to the athlete on the verge of competing.

“In fact, from the physiological point of view, sexual activity can be considered even a benefit for a pre-exercise period. Some scientific studies show that the endorphin discharge associated with sex is a mechanism that even provides a period of more effective rest in the following hours. In other words, after sex, rest recovers the person better, and physical disposition the next day is enhanced.”

Like everything in life, the matter seems to be one of balance; the same way a certain dose of exercise improves sexual appetite, a moderate, alcohol-free night of love-making followed by eight hours of good sleep can do wonders for many fighters. It is an issue of self-knowledge: Get informed, get tested, and understand how your body reacts.

In the 20th century, however, the Gracie family had one clear rule about this. Grandmaster Helio, for one, was inflexible. Here is his opinion:

“Any great champion suffers the effects of a night of sex on the eve, because that represents a great expense of energy. If sex is used to create a human being, imagine how much energy is involved in that act.”

The IBJJF will be hosting its first ever Spanish National Jiu-Jitsu championship on May 14.

The event will take place in Guadalajara, 60km (37mi) northeast of the capital Madrid.

You have until May 6 to register and have the chance to be part of the first class of champions in this brand new event.

If you are a black belt in the adult division, this is a great opportunity to add points and be able to register for the 2016 Worlds (you need at least 50pts to register).

Click here and sign up now.

Josh Hinger

The IBJJF held the 2016 Chicago Spring Open this weekend at the Chicago State University.

Joshua Hinger and Sarah Black were the standouts of the adult black belt division after winning the open class divisions in the gi.

Hinger won double gold at the absolute and the middleweight. He beat Sean Fischer in his weight class and defeated Inacio Neto in the open class final.

Sarah Black also won double gold, conquering the middleweight with two wins over Leanna Dittrich.

Here are the full results of the adult black belt division:

BLACK / Adult / Male / Light Feather

First – Mayko de Araujo Girotto Borges – CheckMat

BLACK / Adult / Male / Feather

First – Vitor Peres Paschoal – Brasa CTA

Second – Rodrigo Batista de Lima – American Top Team Coconut Creek

Third – Gabriel Marangoni de Oliveira – Brasa CTA

Third – Christopher M. Kriebel – Nova União

BLACK / Adult / Male / Light

First – Philipe Cançado Della Monica – Gracie Barra

Second – Rafael Costa Suzuki – Brasa CTA

Third – Joshua T Rose – Brasa CTA

Third – Steven Darryl Kinnison – NOLA BJJ Metairie

BLACK / Adult / Male / Middle

First – Joshua Roy Hinger – Atos Jiu-Jitsu

Second – Sean Patrick Fisher – Precision Jiu-Jitsu

Third – Javier Valenciano Yamuni – Renzo Gracie International

BLACK / Adult / Male / Medium Heavy

First – Inacio Ferreira Gomes Neto – Gracie Barra

Second – Joshua Lee Bowlin – Gracie Barra

Third – Ezra Zendt Lenon – American Top Team

Third – Oliver Leys Geddes – Roger Gracie

BLACK / Adult / Male / Super Heavy

First – Steven J. Patterson – Brasa CTA

Second – Allen A. Causevic – Valko BJJ

Third – Aiazbek Mustakov – Bonsai JJ – USA

BLACK / Adult / Male / Ultra Heavy

First – Gabriel Rial D. da Silva – Gracie Barra

Second – Rodolfo Jimenez Jr – Carlson Gracie Team

BLACK / Adult / Male / Open Class

First – Joshua Roy Hinger – Atos Jiu-Jitsu

Second – Inacio Ferreira Gomes Neto – Gracie Barra

Third – Rodrigo Batista de Lima – American Top Team Coconut Creek

Third – Joshua Lee Bowlin – Gracie Barra

BLACK / Adult / Female / Middle

First – Sarah Johnel Black – GD Jiu-Jitsu Association

Second – Leanna M Dittrich – Fight Sports

BLACK / Adult / Female / Open Class

First – Sarah Johnel Black – GD Jiu-Jitsu Association

Second – Leanna M Dittrich – Fight Sports

In the teams’ competition, the rankings were:

1 – Carlson Gracie Team – 391

2 – Brasa CTA – 232

3 – Alliance – 224

Click here for the full results.

Kids competing in BJJ

If you are Jiu-Jitsu competitor from 4 to 17 years old, you can register for the 2015 Kids World Gi and No-Gi championbship.

The event is scheduled July 25, at the Citzens Bank Arena, in Ontario, CA.

The registration period is open and the final deadline is July 19.

For more info and to register, go to www.kidsworldbjj.com

Kids competing in BJJ

The 2015 Kids World is really a global event.

According to the event’s page on Facebook, competitors from many different parts of the world are comping to compete.

England, Australia, Georgia, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and USA are some of the countries that will be represented.

If you are Jiu-Jitsu competitor from 4 to 17 years old, you can register for the 2015 Kids World Gi and No-Gi championbship.

The event is scheduled July 25, at the Citzens Bank Arena, in Ontario, CA.

The registration period is open and the final deadline is July 19.

For more info and to register, go to www.kidsworldbjj.com

2013 IBJJF Pan Kids was a Jiu-Jitsu celebration

The 2015 Pan Kids is around the corner.

On February 15, kids born on 2000 or before will pack the world famous Long Berach Walter Pyramid, the same setting of the World Jiu-Jitsu championship.

The registration deadline is February 6, so you have to hurry to guarantee your little one a spot.

Don’t miss out.

Click here to register now.

Gabi Garcia vs. Mackenzie Dern in the European 2015 final. Photo by Ivan Trindade

Gabrielle Garcia, black belt 29, had a 2015 European Championship of her dreams in Lisbon, last January 24-25^th. The athlete who once cried for being booed in the competitions showed a complete Jiu-Jitsu, much faster and offensive, and was hailed with applause by the crowd at Casal Vistoso, before and during the fight – which led her to tears again, but now from joy.

Alliance’s biggest star chatted with GRACIEMAG about what she has learned from the absolute and super heavyweight gold at the IBJJF competition, in one of her best performances until this date: five fights, five wins and five submissions.

Check it out and learn from the champion, Gabi Garcia:

GRACIEMAG: What was more exhausting until now in your career: keeping an undefeated streak since 2009 or burning 40kg and managing to stay in shape?

GABI GARCIA: I believe that maintaining an undefeated record in Jiu-Jitsu is now a more exhausting mission, physically and mentally. You need a lot of training and dedication in training, so diet and weight loss are just one component of it all. Thus, when I’m fighting I do not think about keeping an undefeated record; in fact I do not even remember that. I just think about making no mistakes – so much so that when I loose a position I do not forgive it, and then I train it with an increasingly drive. Now, losing weight and dieting will be present for the rest of my life, I come from an obese family and it makes me live on a diet!

Have you analyzed your performance in the European yet? Do you think you missed something?

In my opinion I had a magnificent championship; I’ve waited years for the moment to step on the mat and be applauded standing up by the whole crowd in the gymnasium, and at the European 2015 this day has come true! I swear I felt like crying when I stepped in to fight, it was an inexplicable emotion. I believe I made a mistake in the absolute final against Mackenzie. I missed a position that cost me an advantage: I was focused in submitting quickly and then let my hip high. After that, I had to stay calm and quietly got out of the position to finish the fight. I really enjoyed my performance because I was fearless, pulled guard, swept, got the back, and did the things I wanted to do, but now without fear of making mistakes!

What did you learn out of this mistake?

I missed a position, but I am human and can make mistakes. It was nice to see that I’m not invincible, no one is, and must train even more. I have always respected Mackenzie and now I will get even closer to her game! Mackenzie is very tough; she has experience as a competitor and her father (Megaton) is in her corner. She is a complete fighter, and was the full merit for getting the position. I’ll try to fix this loophole soon to avoid this kind of advantages.

You have demonstrated a beginner’s joy in the social networks when doing a basic technique. What do you recommend to our readers and fans that would like to work on their weaknesses?

I suggest to all Jiu-Jitsu practitioners to devote 90% of the training to their weaknesses. Today, I hardly play on top at the gym, I just do guard because I know that if I need it will have to be up to date! People said I would not take the back, did not call for the guard, and these really were my weaknesses. Now, I train so much those aspects that I trust anything can go wrong!

What valuable tips you’ve received from Fabio Gurgel for attacking the arm and submitting all the girls?

I’ve trained the armbar thousands of times, which came out twice in the European, and almost all of them came out wrong. But I fell in love with the position and tried it in every practice, from any position. Fabio even lost his patience when teaching me repeatedly where to spin and the right position of the head and body. I did it the wrong way over and over again, but it came out correctly at the right time. That means it was worth it to train a lot!

What Fabio says?

I cannot speak here exactly what happens in training to maintain secrecy and gym etiquette, but he says some things that sticks in our minds and reappears at the time of competition. For example: “Invite your opponent to live what you suffer in the gym every day.” I went out there to kill or be killed, as he always asked. I hope to have Gurgel around until I retire. He gets angry, and we argue just like every family does, but I love him like a father.

Another day in Barueri you heard jokes from an abusive supporter, such as: “Before I did not want to, but now that you’re good-looking I want a picture with you!” Did you suffer any Harassment in the 2015 European?

(Laughter!) Gabriel Medina said the other day, as I read on Graciemag_br’s Instagram, that “the more you win championships, the more beautiful you look.” There’s nothing more certain than that. Harassment increased, and it raised very much my self-esteem, so much that I realized how diet is really worth. I’ve never received so much love, so many photo requests, and I still came back from Portugal with a suitcase full of gifts from the fans! Nothing can pay for it, I’m too happy – eager to fight everything and deliver my game, even if the result isn’t victory. As another fan told me: from “Fiona” to muse! It was funny. I loved this European, I could not walk in the gymnasium because of so many people wanting to hug me and congratulate me. For anyone who has always been booed, this is the biggest slap in the face of people who always doubted that one day I would get there.