Photo: Personal Archive

Esdras Jr is in the midst of a great phase on the competitive circuit of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). The black-belt from Ares has been going strong for four consecutive tournaments – he became champion at the IBJJF’s Dallas Open, Houston Open, New Orleans Atlanta Open and, most recently, at the No-Gi Pan, one of the most important competitions on the 2021 calendar.

His latest triumph, along with the points won in previous tourneys, caused Esdras to grab the top spot in the master 1 feather division with 135 points – nine more than the UFC fighter Rani Yahya.

In a recent interview, Esdras Jr spoke of what makes him a champion in 2021. “It’s hard to talk about just on aspect, but I think consistency is the key to reaching any goal. Maybe I’m not even training more in terms of volume, but without a doubt, I’m trying to train in a more intelligent way. Knowing how to understand your body and respect your limits is very important to comprehending when you have to do that training session where you’re fighting for real – most days! – or train by trying to understand and control the situations more. I’ve been going hard in my physical preparation since late last year, focusing a lot on injury prevention work. I’m feeling very well physically and mentally.”

To earn the gold medal at the No-Gi Pan, Esdras Jr had to defeat three tough opponents, including Silvio Duran (Nova União) in the semifinal round and Ermilio Lima (Fight Sports) in the final.

According to Esdras, he felt well and prepared for each match. “I was happy with my performance,” he said. “But I can say the toughest fight this time was cutting weight. The last time I weighed less than 67kg, I was in middle school! This Pan was the first time I hit feather in no-gi, which is well below feather in the gi. On the day of the competition, I woke up weighing 66kg – there I woke up feeling well and ready to fight. It was an incredible journey.”

Photo: Personal Archive

He went on to offer advice on winning any BJJ competition: “First, one should not worry about the result! Perhaps it seems like madness to say that, but when we think about results too much, the tendency is to demand a lot of ourselves, and I believe this demand brings about unnecessary tension. Step on the mat alert, but with tranquility. It’s about doing what you trained to do, match by match, trusting yourself and your jiu-jitsu. That’s all you should think about. Have patience to play – jiu-jitsu is like chess.”

And finally, on the subject of mindset, he said: “When you do what must be done, it works out! It’s a matter of training hard, dieting, physical preparation, technical and tactical training, knowing your strong points and developing a game plan. It’s impossible not to feel well and prepared. Step on the mat and believe that your plan is going to work. Work on your mind to be positive when things don’t come out as planned, because knowing how to control your mind is important. Believe until the end! I couldn’t go without mentioning also Fellipe Barros, my mental coach, who is always there when I need him.”

In the United States, Esdras trains beside Osvaldo Queixinho at Ares BJJ in Phoenix, Arizona.

Michael Liera Jr. is one of the most talented competitors of the new generation of Jiu-Jitsu athletes in the USA.

Training under André Galvão (who also celebrates his birthday today) in San Diego, Liera is only 21 years old.

Celebrate the date watching Liera in action at the 2014 Worlds, when he conquered the lightweight brown belt division.

The final was against fellow Atos JJ member Alex Gisberg.

Gabi Garcia em ação no Mundial de Jiu-Jitsu 2013: polêmica no antidoping. Foto: Dan Rod/Arquivos GRACIEMAG

A Agência Anti-Doping dos Estados Unidos (USADA) anunciou nesta quarta-feira, 26 de março, que a atleta Gabrielle Garcia foi flagrada no exame de coleta de urina feito no último Mundial de Jiu-Jitsu da IBJJF, em junho de 2013, em Long Beach.

Segundo o novo comunicado da USADA (leia aqui), a atual campeã mundial absoluto, prata no peso pesado ao fechar com Andresa Correa, teria ingerido a substância clomifeno, classificada pela agência na categoria “hormônio e modulador metabólico”.

No Pan do ano passado, a USADA havia enviado uma carta para a própria atleta, divulgada em GRACIEMAG e diversos meios, absolvendo a lutadora da Alliance.

A lutadora se defendeu, em conversa com GRACIEMAG: “Isso tudo por 0,2mg de clomifeno! Se você for pesquisar, é uma substância que em mulher só prejudica o desempenho. Eu não teria por que tomar clomifeno na competição!”, alegou Gabi.

“Não se trata de um mascarador de esteroide nenhum, como é o diurético. Trata-se de um hormônio feminino. Já procurei há algum tempo o melhor advogado do esporte na Suíça, que cuida de casos olímpicos, e com a ajuda dele eu inclusive já consegui provar minha inocência. Isso é o mais importante. Tanto que nem advertência da USADA eu tomei”.

A agência, em seu anúncio, de fato não suspendeu a atleta, mas recomenda que pela ingestão da substância Gabi perca suas medalhas no Mundial de 2013. Ela está liberada para lutar o Mundial de 2014.

It was the open class black belt final that year .

Tererê had won the middleweight while putting his usual show. He had three matches and finished the first two opponents with chokes. In the final, he defeated Paulo Guillobel 12-2.

In the medium-heavy division, Jacaré had a similar performance. First, he stretched Pascoal de Castro’s arm and then choked Fabio Nascimento. In the final, he had a great fight against Braulio Estima. Better in the match, he caught Estima with a triangle.

When they finally got in front of each other, Jaca summarized how the fight was going to be: “It’s going to be a war.”

And it was. Jacaré started out at 100 miles per hour.

Tererê soon understood the meaning of war when Jacaré pulled the collar of his kimono and gave a violent jerk toward the ground. Tererê fell to his knees and froze for a few seconds. Jacaré worked fast to go to the back and opened a four-point lead.

The absolute world champion went on attacking. He didn’t get the finish but the win was secured.

In a good mood, Tererê didn’t care much for the defeat and said he was happy to have provided moments of high level Jiu-Jitsu: “That was the most fun for me. What matters is that the crowd liked. I will continue facing the big boys. One day it’s gonna be my turn.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v0Bodj3fKw

Got in the mood?

Click here and buy the PPV for the 2014 Pan.

Buchecha vs. Galvão, the match of the 2013 Pan

First of all, know that you have only until March 3rd to register for the 2014 Pan.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

After that, let’s remember one of the greatest moments in the history of the event.

Last year, the black belt open class final put Marcus Almeida “Buchecha” and Andre Galvão face to face for the gold.

It was a thrilling match indeed.

We have talked to Buchecha and Andre to know what they remember of that match.

Buchecha opens the comments with a praise to Galvão: “Andre is an exceptional competitor and I knew that it was going to be one of the hardest fights of all. Fortunately, I was able to put my game plan in action.”

The game plan was to take Galvão down in the beginning and work the pass, then mount and finish?

“Well, I always fight for the submission. He has such an accurate technique that he was able to defend well, but I got to a foot lock and an omoplata.”

Galvão joins the conversation with also a praise to Buchecha: “I had some black coffee before the match to be on my toes but it did not help at all. His explosive strength in the beginning was impressive. I would say he didn’t take me down, but came over me like a horse in a rodeo show.”

After the inicial two points scored, Galvão worked his guard to prevent a pass from Buchecha. He did his job well and Buchecha was unable to get the pass. “I trained it a lot before the championship,” says Galvão.

The fight went on and near the end, behind 2-0 in points and in advantages, Galvão made his attempt to even the score.

A judo takedown tied the score in points for a brief period.

Buchecha talks about the takedown: “I don’t care about being on top or on the bottom. I think you have to be ready for all situations. Even with the takedown, I knew I was ahead in advantages and my strong game is when I’m on the bottom. I had complete confidence in my sweeps.”

Soon enough, Buchecha worked a beautiful omoplata sweep to settle the final score of 4-2.

Asked what he would do differently if another opportunity arises to compete against Buchecha, Galvão kept his sense of humor: “I would pay more attention in the beginning of the match”.

Now you’re ready to watch the match.

Enjoy!

Leandro Lo tenta passar a guarda de Lucas Lepri, na final da categoria. Foto: Ivan Trindade/GRACIEMAG

Leandro Lo e Lucas Lepri se encontraram de novo. Finalistas do Mundial 2012, os pesos leves fizeram mais uma grande revanche nesse sábado, na IBJJ Pro League, e desta vez valia 5 mil dólares, o prêmio oferecido pela Liga.

Lo chegou à final com mais facilidade. Afinal, Osvaldo Moizinho e Samir Chantre deram a vitória para o aluno de Cícero Costha. Já Lepri finalizou o inglês Oliver Geddes em sua primeira luta. Na semifinal, Tanner Rice – que havia surpreendido Augusto Tanquinho – abriu para Lepri.

Veja como foi a final até 76kg:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHtYF6QMeKQ

Leandro Lo tries to pass Lucas Lepri’s guard in the divisional final. Photo by Ivan Trindade/GRACIEMAG

Leandro Lo and Lucas Lepri met up yet again. Finalists in the lightweight division at the 2012 World Championship, last Saturday they locked horns once more, at the IBJJ Pro League, and this time there was the $5,000 League payout at stake.

Lo had an easier time reaching the final, as Osvaldo Moizinho and Samir Chantre stepped aside to let the Cícero Costha product go through. Now, Lepri tapped out England’s Oliver Geddes in his first match and took out Tanner Rice, who beat Augusto Tanquinho earlier on, in the semifinals.

Watch how the under-76 kg final went:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHtYF6QMeKQ