Rubens Cobrinha against Augusto Tanquinho at 2013 European Open (photo by Ivan Trindade/GRACIEMAG.com)

One of the highlights of the last European Jiu-Jitsu Championship, which wrapped up last weekend, was the final between two of the most technical athletes around at the moment, featherweights Rubens Cobrinha and Augusto Tanquinho.

Cobrinha, our GMA in Los Angeles, made two attempts before sweeping Tanquinho in style (check out minute 11:12 of the video).

But how did the sweep happen? In a conversation with GRACIEMAG.com, Augusto Tanquinho gave his account:

“I was on top and the score was 0-0. And as the match was coming to an end, I decided to go for a figure-four footlock on him. The initial position was in place, but I ended up losing hold and he ended up on top, scoring two points. I still had a chance to draw even with a sweep, but I didn’t get to stabilize it and he ended up winning by 2-0. Props to him for making fewer mistakes. He deserves the win,” said the professor for team Soul Fighters.

Paulo Miyao in back-control at a tournament in Natal / Photo by Junior Samurai/GRACIEMAG

Last weekend, Tokyo hosted the 2012 Asian Open, the fourth installment of the IBJJF championship in those parts.

At brown belt, recently promoted Paulo Miyao won the absolute and light-featherweight divisions, adding further medals to his vast collection.

In the open weight contest, the team Cicero Costha representative had his work cut out for him in making it to the final. He and Kit Dale locked horns in a neck-and-neck match. In the final seconds, one of them attacked with a figure-four footlock and nearly got the finish. Which one was it?

Find out in the video below. And to check the full tournament results, click here.

Nate Diaz walking in to face Takanori Gomi at UFC 135 / UFC publicity photo

The 2012 Gracie Open took place last Saturday, August 4, in Pleasant Hill, California. In the event’s super fight, UFC lightweight Nate Diaz took on the black belt Oswaldo Queixinho, and came up short. Early on in the match the American pulled half-guard and tried to attack the Brazilian’s leg. Keen to Diaz’s intent, Queixinho defended and went on to catch Nate in a match-ending figure-four footlock.

“Truth is, I didn’t expect to finish so quickly. I expected it to last till the very end, since I’ve trained with Nate before and he’s always been tough. He has plenty of gas and never gets tired. I was just coming back from vacation in Brazil and only accepted because it was him,” said Queixinho, who trains with Caio Terra, who represents the same César Gracie team as Nate Diaz.

“I’d learned that footlock technique from Caio Terra and Samir Chantre, since it’s really common at our weight; I just think I surprised him with my counter-attack,” said the Brazilian now living in San Jose, California.

“The secret is to do a good job of defending before attacking. I always look to hide my foot before attacking,” he elaborated. “If you pay attention, I trap his opposing leg with my legs, and after that I set up my hold on his foot, first grabbing the tip of his foot in a “monkey” [thumbless] hold, and after that I wrap my arm around the leg. I get the tapout by pushing his toe to the side opposite the trapped leg,” he said in closing.

Check out the move in the video below: