Ronda Rousey on the cover of ESPN the Magazine’s 15th anniversary edition.

Ronda Rousey just posted this on her Instagram page. What do you think?

The best cover of all times?

Grandmaster Carlos Gracie (1902-1994) was disciplined to the point of drinking a glass of fresh water every day upon awakening, never cheating on his diet, exercising daily and, for years on end, he would awaken with the sun. His discipline, mental fortitude and charisma capable of keeping an entire family of fighters united were not the only legacies the most famous student of Japan’s Count Koma left for the Jiu-Jitsu community.

Carlos left behind technical, philosophical and even linguistic lessons for Jiu-Jitsu lovers everywhere today. It wasn’t for naught that this month’s cover was born blessed. And it was met with praise by those who have gotten their hands on it. “The magazine is awesome. It has my vote as the best cover of all times, with Carlos and Helio Gracie!” said a vibrant Guilherme Valente, a professor at Gracie Miami.

We hope that was the first compliment of many, but criticism is welcome too.

The January issue doesn’t end there, though.

In Face to Face, we open the guard of Rafael Mendes, the big revelation of the 2009 season. The under -66kg champion of ADCC 2009 speaks of his victory-filled year, teaching class to the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi, his rivalry with Cobrinha and his plans for 2010.

For Training Program, we hopped on the highway for São Carlos and clicked the most consistent athlete of last year. Michael Langhi received GRACIEMAG in the gym where it all began, with brother Michel (already a beast) by his side, to demonstrate (nearly) his whole arsenal.

Carrying on with the mission of guiding the technical perfection of our readers/Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, GRACIEMAG shows what to do to manage perfect adjustment in submission holds. An assortment of aces shares some pointers with you.

In the monthly column, Martin Rooney turns his attention to the biggest and most powerful muscle in the body, the gluteus maximus. With a series of exercises and tips, the physical conditioning coach of the big BJJ and MMA stars will show you how to use the force from behind.

In the GMA section, our associates wish you a Happy New Year and reveal what they wish for in 2010. Beyond that, Josef “Cobra” Manuel teaches a flying triangle. To wrap things up, the latest news from the academies that make up the biggest Jiu-Jitsu publicity network on the planet.

Furthermore, there’s Tererê vs Werdum in Anthology, Gracie Diet, Natural Gymnastics and Intro.

Subscribe to GRACIEMAG and receive this historical issue at home.

“During the second half of January I’ll take a tour of the United States, making the most of the time off between championships,” says Estima, who lives in England.

“I aim to go from east to west: Boston, New York, Michigan, Indiana, Colorado, California and Hawaii, returning through Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Texas and Florida. Anyone interested in having me at their academy, please contact me by email: braulioseminar@googlemail.com, as I’m still organizing my itinerary,” says the Pernambuco native.

Braulio has been enjoying the repercussions of the GRACIEMAG cover, the second time he makes it. “It’s a shame the subtitle with my name is so small!” he chuckles, then changing his tone to serious. “Everyone said it was great. I signed a bunch of them, even a special one for my brother. I like it, I want more,” says the champion, before going on to assess ADCC 2009.

“To me the Rafael Mendes versus Cobrinha match was the best one, real intense and technical. They didn’t stop one second over 40 minutes. They impressed me not just with the movement, but with positions of all kinds and several escapes. Sharp attacks and defense, excellent,” the absolute champion assayed.

“Another standout was Marcelo, who even in losing the under 77kg final (to Pablo Popovitch) showed excellent attacks, always going for the finish – which we never tire of praising. Vinicius Pezao also surprised a lot of people with his attacks. Werdum and Xande (his adversary in the open weight final) also has an excellent championship,” he opined.

And anyone wishing to learn some of Braulio Estima’s slick Jiu-Jitsu techniques can download an entire class taught by the fighter, who inked a deal with Cagefilm.com and has been shooting footage of his techniques ever since the ADCC.

“Tim Lord, owner of cagefilm.com, proposed I teach a weekly class, continuously, where I explain what lies behind invisible Jiu-Jitsu. It’s coming out great. I show several details and aspects like how I position myself, plan strategize, in every Jiu-Jitsu position possible, how I deal with different reactions from my opponent and so on. The series is perfect”, says the fighter.

Graciemag #152 - Photo by Ivan Trindade

Braulio Estima és el gran campió de la ADCC de 2009, a Barcelona.

That’s Catalonian for the most succinct summary of what happened on the 26th and 27th of September, 2009, at the eighth installment of submission grappling’s world cup, held in the capital of Catalonia.

Upon having his arm raised in the absolute final, the Gracie Barra Birmingham professor celebrated his title in curious fashion: “Cover of GRACIE Magazine!” shouted Estima, certain his gold medals for the 88kg and open weight categories guaranteed him the prime spot.

And that they did.

If Braulio shone most, there were other aces who did well in Spain. Rafael Mendes felled legends and took the lead in a recent and bitter rivalry. Fabricio Werdum felt at home and won without a hitch. Pablo Popovitch finally quelled his obsession in the under 77kg category.

These stories and much more you will find on 21 pages replete with awe-inspiring images of the two days of great technique and emotion of ADCC 2009. It’s something to read and hang on to.

In Face to Face, Braulio Estima interrupted his vacation in sunny Recife to talk straight and serious with GRACIEMAG. The champion didn’t beat around the bush, assumed his weaknesses, guaranteed he still has much to evolve and didn’t hide his ambition of being the best.
Still in the realm of competition, GRACIEMAG brings coverage of the No-Gi Pan-American, MMA event Art of War, direct from Macao, China and the American Nationals.

In the GMA section, Jiu-Jitsu’s dream of being in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, black belt Kayron Gracie in Homegrown, our associates in action in competitions around the world, a no-gi position by Gregor Gracie and latest news from the network of academies spread around the world.

And there’s also Martin Rooney, ADCC 2009 supermatch champion Ronaldo Jacare, in Anthology, and Gracie Diet.

Enjoy your reading and see you in December.

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