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.”

It was one of the best matches of the year. Mackenzie Dern and Gabrielle Garcia met at the 2015 European female black belt open class final. Fierce as always, Dern did not shy to put her bottom game to work and gave a lot of trouble to heavier Gabi.

One of the most thrilling moments of the match came when Mackenzie managed a sweep to come on top and almost take Gabi’s back. Garcia had her defense ready and worked her way back to the top. Watch the match and get thrilled once again and se how the match ended.

After you do that, don’t forget to register today for the 2016 European Championship. The registration fee changes this Tuesday, so you have until 11:59PM (PT) to register and pay less. Next year’s event will be the first one in a new venue in Lisbon after almost a decade at the Casal Vistoso Gymnasium.

Click here for more info and to register now.

That’s it! It’s go time.

The last day of the 2015 European has come and the black belt champions will be crowned.

You don’t want to miss anything, so stay glued to our social media outlets for the latest results and most amazing pictures.

With 3.400 athletes registered, the 2015 European championship is the biggest Jiu-Jitsu event ever.

Leading the herd you have big stars such as Andre Galvão, Gabi Garcia, Michael Langhi, Michelle Nicolini, JT Torres, Mackenzie Dern, Caio Terra, Janni Larson, Lucio Lagarto and many, many others.

Click here for the brackets and also the schedule and order of fights for each day.

Once again, GRACIEMAG will be present at the Casal Vistoso Gymnasium during the five days.

So, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram (@graciemagazine), Twitter (@graciemag) and also on Facebook for the latest news, best pictures and amazing videos you know you can only find here.

If you’re gonna be in the venue, stop by our booth and get your subscription to GRACIEMAG and get amazing gifts (with a very special discount).

For more info, go to ibjjf.com.

The IBJJF event scheduled for Lisbon, Portugal, on January 21-25, has the staggering number of 3,400 athletes registered.

This figure makes the 2015 European the Jiu-Jitsu championship with highest number of participants ever.

It is also an impressive growth in comparison to last year, when 2,300 athletes took part in the event.

The final schedule and the brackets will be released this Monday, January 19.

For more info, go to ibjjf.com.

From January 21st to the 25th, close to 3,000 athletes will be in action at the Casal Vistoso Gymnasium, in Lisbon, Portugal.

The IBJJF has updated the pre-schedule for the event.

Take a look on which day your division will be held on.

Wednesday:
White adult male and female
White master 1 and 2
Blue adult male – Rooster to Feather

Thursday:
Blue adult male – Light to Open Class
Blue adult female
Purple adult male and female

Friday:
Blue master male and female
Purple master male and female

Saturday:
White juvenile male and female
Blue juvenile male and female
Brown master male and female
Black master male and female
Black adult male and female – Open Class

Sunday:
Brown adult male and female
Black adult male and female – Rooster to Ultra Heavy and Open Class Final

Gabi Garcia fights Beatriz Mesquita at the 2012 Worlds

With the registration closed, it is now possible to know which big names will be competing in Portugal.

Gabrielle Garcia is the biggest star in the female division, followed by Ida Hansson, Janni Larson, Angelica Galvão, Michelle Nicolini, Mackenzie Dern, among others.

In the male division, we’ll have huge names such as André Galvão, Luiz Panza, Caio Terra, Eduardo Telles, Eberth Santos, Lucio Lagarto, JT Torres, AJ Agazarm, Gianni Grippo, Marcio Andre, João and Paulo Miyao and many others.

Click here for the full list of registered athletes.

The brackets and the final schedule should be released on January 19.

For more info, go to IBJJF.com

Lucio Lagarto, in 2011

1. Lucio Lagarto worked hard to have the honor of being the first black belt open class champion of the European, in 2004. The event debuted in Lisbon, at the same Caval Vistoso Gymnnasium of today, but only 300 athletes registered, in oposition to the almost 3000 expected to 2015.

2. In 2005, Roger Gracie and Ronaldo Jacaré met in Almada (the only year the event was not in Lisbon) only six months after the most famous BJJ match of all times, the 2004 Worlds black belt open class final, the armlock final. Roger said that he was there with the sole purpose of fighting Jacaré. The final result was a 2-0 Roger win, with a sweep.

Mario Reis

3. Mario Reis was the name of 2006. To this day he is the lightest fighter to have ever won the black belt open class gold medal. And to do that, he defeated an ultra-heavy Victor Costa.

4. Braulio Estima won the first of his two black belt open class titles in 2007. The Gracie Barra star kind of had a team revenge over Xande Ribeiro, who had defeated Braulio’s teammate Roger Gracie at the 2006 Worlds, six months earlier.

Alexandre Souza

5. Alexandre Souza taught an important lesson in 2008. The black belt open class champion defeated the much heavier Luiz Big Mac in the final and said: “You don’t fight a mountain, you climb it”.

6. In 2009 Braulio Estima and Alexandre Souza battled for the honor of becoming the first athlete with two black belt open class gold medals. Braulio came out on top after a tough match. He still holds the title of only two-time open class champion.

7. Another “magrinho”(thin guy) to steal the show in the black belt open class division was Guto Campos, in 2010. He faced Rodrigo Cavaca in the final and despite the weight difference (middleweight to ultra-heavy) caught the opponent with a triangle for the gold. Also in 2010, the European was honored with the return of Fabio Gurgel to the adult division. The General fought and won the heavyweight division.

8. Now a UFC star, Sergio Moraes also had his moment in Lisbon. In 2011, Serginho lost the medium-heavy gold to Braulio Estima, but came back in the open class, with a win over Claudio Calasans Jr.

9. In January 2012, Rodolfo Vieira was the man of the moment in Jiu-Jitsu, once he had dominated the 2011 season. He consolidated his dominance in Portugal with two golds, in the heavyweight and open class.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5AhBY2g5iw

10. In 2013, the black belt open class had no final match, once Bernardo Faria and Leo Nogueira closed out the division. The thrill was brought on by the brown belt open class final, when Keenan Cornelius defeated João Miyao with a last minute ezequiel choke.

11. The European 2013 was the setting for one of the most thrilling moments in recent Jiu-Jitsu history. The crowd was brought to its feet when Alan Nascimento gave Fernando Tererê his old black belt back. The very belt Tererê sold to him years before to buy drugs and Nascimento said he would return the belt once Tererê got back to his feet and competing again.

12. Alex Trans made history in 2014 when he became the first Europe-born black belt to win the male adult open class in Lisbon. After the feat, he dismissed it: “I train with Brazilians, I spend a lot of time in Brazil. I don’t give that much importance for being born in Europe,” said the Danish.

The 2015 European Championship is getting closer by the day.

Two months before the action takes place in Lisbon, Portugal, an important deadline is already approaching.

November 28 is the last day you can register paying reduced prices.

And, as you know, the sooner you book your plane and hotel, the cheaper you’ll pay.

So, don’t miss out and register today for the most charming event in the IBJJF calendar.

Here are two videos of last year’s event so you can get a great taste of what it is to compete at the Euros.

Click here for more info and to register now.

Day 1 -2014

Day 2 – 2014

The IBJJF has confirmed the dates for the 2015 European Championship.

For the first time ever, the most important gentle art competition in the old continent could be held in five days.

At first the event is scheduled January 21-25, once again in Lisbon, Portugal.

The IBJJF noted that there will only be fights on Wednesday, January 21, if the number of competitors registered makes it necessary.

For more info, go to ibjjf.com

In just January alone, the head instructor of GMA GB Birmingham started in Brazil, worked his way to Europe for Brussels and Amsterdam and finished with a European camp in Lisbon, Portugal.

In response to the camp, Braulio says:”Thank you guys for the support once again. Even In the middle of the camp, Europeans and with 3 days notice and still full house. Really appreciated. Thanks prof Alex Machado.”

Check out the photos below of his tour:

More information about Braulio Estima and his GMA academy can be found at: www.gbbirmingham.com

The first of the four prestigious IBJJF Championships as part of the grand slam is the European Championship in Lisbon, Portugal. Always scheduled in late January, the 2014 edition will take place January 23-26 at the standard venue, Complexo Municipal Esportivo do Casal Vistoso.

Registration is now open with first deadline set for November  22 in which the window for a discounted price of $110 will close. The next deadline will be the final registration closure on January 15 with a price of $130.

To register and see more information about the 2014 European Championship, click here.

Other tournaments coming up on the IBJJF calendar include:

• Montreal International Open in Montreal, Canada on November 16. The final deadline to register is November 8.
• Melbourne International Open, Gi and No-Gi in Albert Park, Australia on November 29-30. The final deadline to register is November 21.
• Panama International Open in Panama City, Panama on December 1. The final deadline to register is November 23.
• Long Beach Fall Open in Long Beach, CA on December 8. The final deadline to register is November 30.

All information about the tournaments can be found at www.ibjjf.org

Venue for European Open (photo by Ivan Trindade/GRACIEMAG)

This Thurday, the 24th, the Casal Vistoso Gymnasium in Lisbon, Portugal, will be overflowing with gentle-art lovers from all parts flooding in to catch a glimpse of the top Jiu-Jitsu competitors in Europe. At 9 a.m. the blue belts kick off the four-day event.

This Wednesday the IBJJF released the brackets for the the first championship of the 2013 season. Time has come to get over the butterflies and see who faces whom.

For example, in the black belt middleweight division, Alliance superstar Fernando Tererê makes his return to international competition and gets a bye in the same bracket as CheckMat’s Alan Finfou. At the other end of the bracket, DJ Jackson and Claudio Calasans will be fighting tooth and nail for a spot in the final.

Check out how the brackets stand on the IBJJF website by clicking here.