Copa Podio

The third edition of the Copa Podio Middleweight Grand Prix will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Nov. 22. The live stream will capture all the action starting at 12:30 p.m. PST.

The names were drawn for the two groups, green and yellow, to determine who will go against who. In the grand prix ruleset, each athlete will be matched against those in their own group. The wins determine the points which will be added at the end of the brackets. The second place in the yellow group will face the first place in the green group and vice versa.

The points are accumulated as follows:

Submission win = 4 points
Points or advantages win = 3 points
Draw = 1 point each

The match length is six minutes. Here is how the distribution of athletes played out:

GREEN

Diogo Moreno (past GP finalist)
Diego Borges (past GP finalist)
Claudio Calasans
Jon Satava (brown belt)
Luiz Panza

YELLOW

Felipe “Preguica” Pena (current champion)
Gregor Gracie (past runner-up)
Patrick Gaudio
Thiago Sa
Erberth Santos (brown belt)

The live stream will be available along with more information at www.copapodio.com

Travis Stevens represented America at the Copa Podio Middleweight GP. Photo: Copa Podio

Back in the states after the Copa Podio Middleweight Grand Prix in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sept. 8, Travis Stevens has collected his thoughts and gathered them for GRACIEMAG to offer. Almost onto the podium, Travis was able to submit Jaime Canuto, defeat Manuel Diaz by advantages and make it into the semi-final match before losing to the winner, Felipe Preguica Pena.  The two-time Judo Olympian did as he said he would in the pre-interview and avoided using his Judo in the tournament but lapsed in the semi’s to which he apologized to his opponent mid-match.

Not many athletes have strict principles when a win is on the line but Travis adheres to them like his mindset of level playing grounds. But we’ll let you hear it in his own words. From his reflections we’re able to learn what it takes for a Judoka to enter into a prestigious Jiu-Jitsu tournament among world champions with a brown belt on his waist and two sore ankles:

GRACIEMAG: Which opponents were your toughest matches and why? Would it be safe to say that a certain type of game was the hardest for you to deal with?

Travis after he defeated Manual Diaz. Photo: Copa Podio

TRAVIS STEVENS: [Renato] Cardoso was my toughest match as you can tell by the result (he was the only guy to submit me). He was also the only guy I was concerned with. He has amazing foot locks, I knew that going into Copa Podio and that’s what made me nervous. I had a severe ankle injury and had ankle surgery 6 weeks prior to Copa Podio. And I wasn’t sure how my ankle would handle itself in that type of position. And three days prior to the event I was training 50/50 at Gordo’s school knowing Cardoso wanted to get there and I hate 50/50 with a passion. While training I popped my good ankle so going into that match both ankles were not at 100%. I was really worried that he would get my ankle and foot lock me and I would have to pull out of the competition. So I ended up holding back and it showed.

You almost passed the guard and took the back of Paulo Miyao which would have granted you access that not many people gained. What advice can you give to those who take on someone who has been seen as a prodigy?

I did almost have his back! I think I would of had it if my judo instincts didn’t kick in and I secured the position. I never should have gone for the choke right off the back take; it really cost me. I couldn’t help but laugh at my mistake. I was smiling at Miyao the rest of the match. I mean the guy who is world champion open weight champion at the rank I hold almost got his back taken by a guy who only trained BJJ for 9 days a month prior to the event.

Playing guard against Felipe Preguica in the semi-final match. Photo: Copa Podio

Prodigy is a funny term that gets thrown around in sports. I truly think that there is no such thing as a prodigy; you only get what is earned. I also truly believe that there is not one BJJ or Judo player in the world that I can’t beat. Having said that, that doesn’t mean that I can’t lose it just means that if given enough time and opportunities I can submit anyone without a doubt in my mind. So when you step out on to the mat and look across at your opponent and you doubt yourself and start thinking “this guys world champ this guy is a black belt, this guy submitted me before” just remember that he hasn’t won the competition yet, he hasn’t beaten you yet. To me every day is a new day just because you won the Pans doesn’t mean you will win the Worlds. So every day I wake up everyone is on the same level. What I mean is Paulo, Xande, Galvao, Estima, and myself are all on the same level along with everyone else who does BJJ. I mean, every thing from white belt to black belt. Because until they’ve beaten me who’s better is just an opinion not fact. This is not ego it’s a mindset. Even if let’s say Galvao walked into Renzo’s and kicked the crap out of me. I would reflect on it study how he did it and wake up the next day with everyone on the same level again because its a new day and if he wants to prove himself and beat me again he can but I’ll wake up the next day with him and I on the same level. Just because I put myself on the same level doesn’t mean I don’t have things to learn. I try to learn things from everyone whether it’s a white or blue belt or the black belt teaching class. I love going to the gym and learning new things. When you put people on a pedestal all that means is you assume that you can’t or won’t win. And you’re the only person who decides whether you win or lose.

In one of your later matches you resorted to throwing your opponent, something you steered away from in your earlier matches. What was going through your head?

Yeah I really didn’t want to do that. But I was down 7-0 and he passed so fast off my pull it caught me off guard. Most guys just settle in, establish grips then start passing. So he scored quickly and about half way through I realized he did not want to play from the bottom and when we stood up I mentally said “—- it” and started working my arms in preparation for the throw. So I spun him around, threw him, he stood up, threw him again. Right when the ref stopped the match to bring us back to the center I looked at him shook my head and said “I’m really sorry but I’m losing” he responded with “no problem”. But once the ref stopped it and brought it back to the center I knew I couldn’t use the throws to my advantage. He recovered and got to reset his grips and think.

You favorite part of participating in the event and your least favorite?

My favorite part about competing was almost having Miyao’s back. Because I was so close yet still made a mistake yet it’s an easy mistake to fix.  My least favorite part of the event was in the final for bronze when I lost to Miyao. I felt cheated. With about a minute to 45 seconds left he went for a toe hold and I was forced to spin out. But when he restarted us the ref never awarded an advantage so we were still tied. I though wow I guess I dodged a bullet. And when time ran out we were still tied, stood up and thought I just won there is going to be an over time period and I’m just going to take him down for the win. Then out of nowhere the ref awards him an advantage for that toe hold 45 seconds earlier. I feel cheated because if he had awarded the advantage when he should have I could have came back.

And when will we see you again in Jiu-Jitsu competition?

I will be competing again! Right now I’m scheduled to do the World Expo brown belt only division. I’m also talking with the guys who run Copa Podio to compete in the heavyweight division. Or doing a super fight. But I told them that if I did a super fight it would have to be no time limit submission only but they don’t think that they will be able to get an opponent for that type of match-up. So we will see but either way I’ll be competing at the event.

Check out this short clip of his throws courtesy of @BJJHacks instagram:

Felipe Preguica takes the back of Diogo Moreno in the final. Photo: Gustavo Aragao

The Copa Podio Middleweight Grand Prix was held Sunday, September 8 with various athletes thrown into a mix of talent for one trophy. Brown belts, judokas, new black belts, seasoned competitors, Australians, Americans, featherweights, you name it. The amount of differences between each opponent left the predictions scattered.

The event lasted many hours at the famous Tijuca Tenis Club in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with two superfights intertwined as well. The two groups faced each of their group members to earn points based on how the match was won. A win earns three points, a draw earns one point for each opponent and a loss is zero points. Whoever has the most points in their group will go on to face the person who has the most points of the other group. A third place match is set for the second place athletes from each group. In the case of a tie-breaker, overall submissions and aggressiveness will determine.

Felipe Preguica won the grand prix while Leandro Lo and Clark Gracie both won their matches.

The full results:

Copa Podio Middleweight GP

Tijuca Tennis Club, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Challenge of Cities: Clark Gracie (San Diego) took the back of Diego Borges (Manaus) and finished with a choke 22:37 into the no time limit match

ROUND 1 OF GP

Green Group: Renato Cardoso (Checkmat) defeated Travis Stevens (Renzo Gracie) with a triangle 1:11

Green Group: Paulo Miyao (Cicero Costha) swept Manuel Diaz (Caio Terra) and won 2-0

Yellow Group: Felipe Preguica Pena (Gracie Barra) won Alexandro Ceconi (Ceconi Team) by 7-0

Yellow Group: Diogo Moreno (Soul Fighters) swept Davi Ramos (Atos) and won 2-0

ROUND 2 OF GP

Green Group: Paulo Miyao (Cicero Costha) drew with Jaime Canuto (GFTeam) with 0-0

Green Group: Travis Stevens (Renzo Gracie) defeated Manuel Diaz (Caio Terra) by 1 advantage

Yellow Group: Diogo Moreno (Soul Fighters) beat Kit Dale (Checkmat) by 5-2

Yellow Group: Davi Ramos (Atos) finished Alexandro Ceconi with a toehold in 31 seconds

ROUND 3 OF GP

Green Group: Manuel Diaz (Caio Terra) defeated Renato Cardoso (Checkmate) by 2-0

Green Group: Travis Stevens (Renzo Gracie) defeated Jaime Canuto (GFTeam) with an armbar from omoplata

Yellow Group: Felipe Preguica (Gracie Barra) choked Davi Ramos (Atos) from the back

Yellow Group: Kit Dale (Checkmat) swept Alexandro Ceconi (Ceconi Team) and won 2-0

ROUND 4 OF GP

Green Group: Paulo Miyao (Cicero Costha) turned the fight and defeated Travis Stevens 2 advantages to 1

Green Group: Jaime Canuto (GFTeam) defeated Renato Cardoso (Checkmat) by 3 advantages to 0

Yellow Group: Diogo Moreno (Soul Fighters) swept Alexandro Ceconi (Ceconi Team) and won 2-0

Yellow Group: Felipe Preguica (GB) swept and won Kit Dale (Checkmat) by 2-0

ROUND 5 OF GP

Green Group: Manuel Diaz (Caio Terra) finished Jaime Canuto (GFTeam) with an armbar

Green Group: Paulo Miyao (Cicero Costha) took his back and choked Renato Cardoso (Checkmat)

Yellow Group: Kit Dale (Checkmat) drew with Davi Ramos (Atos) by 2-2

Yellow Group: Felipe Preguica (Gracie Barra) defeated Diogo Moreno (Soul Fighters) with a triangle

SEMIFINALS:

Diogo Moreno won Paulo Miyao by 4-2 in sweeps

Felipe Preguica won Travis Stevens by 9-2

SUPERFIGHT (no-gi):

Leandro Lo (Cicero Costha) won Calasans Claudius (Atos) by 7-0 (two sweeps and a pass)

DISPUTE THIRD PLACE:

Paulo Miyao beat Travis Stevens after draw at 2-2

THE FINAL GP:

Felipe Preguica took the back of Diogo Moreno and won by 4-2

Travis Stevens for the Copa Podio Middleweight GP on September 8. Photo: Copa Podio

The Copa Podio Middleweight GP on Sunday, September 8 is a bit different than the events in the past. This time, there are more brown belts and wild cards than ever. Between Paulo Miyao entering way below the weight limit as a light-featherweight and two brown belts along with many brand new black belts, both yellow and green groups have no sure winner.

Perhaps the biggest wild card is that of Judo Olympian Travis Stevens, a Renzo Gracie brown belt. Although his Jiu-Jitsu resume may be short, especially compared to those on this Copa Podio roster, his Judo accomplishments make him one of the best in the world.

A two-time U.S. Olympian in 2008 and 2012, he recently earned a bronze in the Judo Pan American Championship. Today he trains and teaches in both Judo and Jiu-Jitsu at his school in Boston, MA as well as in NJ/NYC but for the Copa Podio, he’s all Jiu-Jitsu.

Travis spoke with GRACIEMAG about what it will be like to enter a Jiu-Jitsu event such as the Copa Podio:

GRACIEMAG: Coming from a very high level of Judo, how will you adapt those skills to your opponents at Copa Podio?

TRAVIS STEVENS: Unfortunately for me the strategies that are used in Judo are not the same as BJJ so there wont be much cross over. The only thing that I will be able to bring to the table from Judo is how comfortable I feel while competing. I’m used to competing about 15-16 times a year for Judo which keeps me in a competition mind set.

How do you normally balance your Judo training versus Jiu-Jitsu training and have you adapted your routines for the event?

I’m lucky enough that Judo provides me with a living and I’m able to do it full time. So BJJ for me is just a hobby. I normally train Judo full-time, two sessions a day Monday through Thursday and one Judo session on Friday. I do BJJ at least once a day either teaching or if I’m lucky I get a good rolling session in during the week. But I spend my weekends driving down to NYC from Boston to train BJJ full time at Renzo’s school in the city and at Renzo Gracie Fort Lee. Friday and Saturday I do two BJJ sessions and one BJJ session on Sunday. Then I drive back home sunday.

Even though BJJ causes some strain on the body I still consider it down time because I really enjoy working with John [Danaher] and Renzo [Gracie] and all the other guys from Renzo’s. The only thing I’ve really changed in my training for Copa Podio is I did a little bit of situational drills for specific people. Which is something that I’m not accustom to doing in Judo or BJJ.

How does it feel coming into a Jiu-Jitsu tournament and atmosphere? Do you feel like your skills and outstanding Judo accomplishments will be overlooked by your opponents?

I feel like a kid on his first day of school when I go to a BJJ competition looking around feeling out of place watching people warm up and a little lost on what I should be doing. But when I step on the mat and see my opponent I feel at home again and regardless of rules and scoring systems a submission is always a win so I know my goal and how to get there. I don’t think my Judo accomplishments will be overlooked but I think that my Judo accomplishments won’t help me in any BJJ competition. Even if someone tries to stand up and take me down I’m just going to pull guard anyways. I’m going to Copa Podio to do BJJ not Judo.

For more information and to purchase the livestream of the Copa Podio on Sunday, September 8 go to www.copapodio.com

Claudio Calasans, Leandro Lo’s opponent at Copa Pódio. Photo: Ivan Trindade

Copa Pódio promoters have announced the name of Leandro Lo’s adversary for the superfight of the Sep. 8 event that will also feature a middleweight Grand Prix.

Claudio Calasans (Atos) is the man pitted against Lo in a ten-minute, no-gi, under 82kg bout. The Cicero Costha pupil has a lot of momentum going in, having just grabbed both the middleweight and open titles at the Rio Open this past weekend. The match is going to take place right before the GP’s final, providing the audience with some world-class Jiu-Jitsu, and the GP finalists with some rest before their decisive encounter.

The GP has an astounding line-up in Keenan Cornelius (Atos), Yan Cabral (Aranha/Nova União), Alexandro Ceconi (Ceconi Team), Travis Stevens (Renzo Gracie), Jaime Canuto (GFTeam), Renato Cardoso (CheckMat), Diogo Moreno (Soul Fighters), Kit Dale (Checkmat), Paulo Miyao (Cícero Costha) and Felipe Preguiça (Gracie Barra).

But that’s still not all, as San Diego’s Clark Gracie will represent his town in the Duel of Cities versus Manaus’s Diego Borges. This one has a catch in that it has no time limit – meaning it can only end via submission (aside from the unlikely referee stoppage), which could potentially generate an epic fight for the ages.

Pódio Cup – Middleweight GP
Tijuca Tennis Club, Rio de Janeiro
Sunday, September 8, 2013

Duel of cities (till tapout)

Diego Borges (Manaus) vs. Clark Gracie (San Diego/EUA)

Middleweight GP (under 86kg)

Yan Cabral
Keenan Cornelius
Alexandro Ceconi
Diogo Moreno
Jaime Canuto
Travis Stevens
Kit Dale
Renato Cardoso
Paulo Miyao
Felipe Preguiça

Special fight (10-minute, no-gi)

Leandro Lo vs. Claudio Calasans

Travis Stevens replaces Lovato in the middleweight GP. Photo: IOC

The level of talent in the second installment of Copa Pódio’s middleweight GP remains very high. With Rômulo Barral, Keenan Cornelius and Alexandro Ceconi already confirmed, the organization has now announced Travis Stevens as a replacement for Rafael Lovato Jr.

The event will mark Stevens’ return to Rio de Janeiro, where he took gold in the 2007 Pan. “I’ll be a real threat to the Brazilians in the GP,” said the confident Renzo Gracie Academy brown belt.

And he did prove a real threat even to elite Brazilian athletes as recently as last year when he defeated world No. 1-ranked fighter Leandro Grilheiro at the London Olympics, later taking fourth place.

“Travis Stevens’ Jiu-Jitsu is very high quality. Even as a brown belt, he was given the right to open a school bearing the Renzo Gracie name, as Renzo knows he has great talent. In Judo, Stevens got the best of every single Brazilian opponent at the major competitions. But in Jiu-Jitsu, how’s it going to play out? The answer will be known at the next Copa Pódio GP, and fans won’t want to miss it,” said promoter Jeferson Maycá.

The middleweight GP will be one of the attractions of the next edition of Copa Pódio, to be held in Tijuca Tennis Club on Sept. 8. Six spots remain open for the GP, and the organizers intend to announce who’s filling them over the next few weeks, as well as Leandro Lo’s adversary for the event’s superfight.

(From a press release.)