Inácio Neto sinks a triangle on John Garcia at 5th American Cup. Photo: John Cooper/GRACIEMAG.

Jiu-Jitsu brown belt Inácio Neto of team Gracie Barra snapped up gold in the medium heavyweight division at last weekend’s American Cup. The Piauí, Brazil-Omaha, Nebraska transplant had three matches at the Claudio França-promoted, San Jose, California-based event, and he got the tapout in every one of them.

“I’m fulfilled here carrying on the work of my teacher Marcelo Castro. I’ve taught and trained with great wrestlers and MMA fighters. They have really great base and phenomenal endurance, and I have to make the most of that by improving my bottom game,” Inácio told GRACIEMAG.com.

The fighter exuded calm and patience  in the American Cup final until he’d made it to where he wanted to be against John Garcia of Cassio Werneck team. Three minutes-twenty seconds into the match he took the back and attempted a choke, before sinking the decisive armbar.

“I’m the kind of athlete who always goes for the finish. I think the main pointer I can offer regarding that is to keep your level of concentration at max to not let any opportunities that may arise in the match go to waste,” he teaches.

Watch the match to learn more from Inácio Neto:

Diego Herzog in action at 5th American Cup / Photo: John Cooper

Jiu-Jitsu black belt Diego Herzog of Ralph Gracie academy was the big name at the 5th American Cup, held last weekend in San Jose, California. The gi-clad beast swept the heavyweight and absolute divisions at the Claudio França-organized event.

In the open weight semifinal, Herzog didn’t let his nerves get rattled as he unraveled an omoplata lock applied by Gracie Fighter rep Osvaldo Augusto, the winner of the lightweight division, then taking his back and finishing with a collar choke. Watch and learn from absolute champ Herzog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M5o-311wyU