Adriano in action. Photo: Carlos Ozório

Barbosa Jiu-Jitsu representative Adriano Silva is another of the stalwart competitors signed up to compete at the Tijuca Tennis Club this coming weekend, when the International Masters and Seniors takes place. The winner of the last two installments of the event, Adriano, who still fights on even terms in the adult division, says he doesn’t notice much difference in the level of the matches between the two.

“To tell you the truth, the masters division is as tough as the adult one. I’ve competed at the International Masters for two years now and won it twice. Both times I had to do five matches to become champion, and all of them were tough,” he tells GRACIEMAG.com.

“The thing that gets you is the difference in duration, which is nearly half as long. But the quality is similar. All the matches are tough. These days the group over 30 is in tip-top shape and everyone fights on even terms. I’m not the only one competing as a master and an adult, there’s a bunch of guys who do it and who will be at the International. To put it otherwise, the championship is just as tough as the rest of them,” he adds.

Adriano at 2009 International next to this year's absentee Tiago Alves. Photo: Carlos Ozório

The big letdown for the team is the absence of Tiago Alves, who would accompany Adriano in the middleweight division.

“Last year I closed out the division with Tiaguinho, but, unfortunately, this year he won’t be able to make it because he’s finishing a tattoo. I’m going to represent the academy by myself in the division.”

Even so, the fighter guarantees Barbosa Jiu-Jitsu is going to be hard to contend with.

“We’re going into the International strong. Our academy has a lot of guys in the masters and seniors, a tough group, so we’ll have a lot of athletes in there,” he says in closing.

Pulga wins at International 2009. Photo: Carlos Ozório

Alexandre “Pulga” Pimentel is back in Brazil after a seminar tour in Mexico and the United States. Yearning to compete, the Nova Geração fighter looks to put on his gi at the upcoming IBJJF competitions.

“I got home from the trip yesterday and I’m dying to compete at the International and Rio Open. Last year I won the International, but I want to compete at adult as well,” says Pulga, who recounts what he was up to during the trip.

“I did seminars in Mexico, then in Texas, at Sérgio Marra’s academy, and then split for Miami and San Diego. I trained with Roberto Cyborg, Rodrigo Medeiros, Hillary Williams and Thiago Silva, who fights in the UFC. It was great! I was going to compete at the Worlds, but I hurt my knee a little before the competition and had to sit it out.”

Pulga is undefeated in MMA, with nine fights under his belt. Although he hasn’t completely set Jiu-Jitsu aside, he should appear in another fight soon.

“I’m practically confirmed for a fight in San Antonio on November 6. I haven’t signed yet, but it’s pretty much confirmed. If I win this one, good opportunities should arise for me abroad,” he says in finishing.

Soca at 2009 International. Photo: Carlos Ozório

A fighter who shone as a featherweight, Alexandre “Soca” Carneiro keeps up with the news surrounding the International Masters and Seniors, which kicks off July 22 in Rio de Janeiro. The fighter remarks on the competitions value.

“I feel it’s really important for Jiu-Jitsu, after all, this new generation of champions today comes from our current Masters and Seniors,” he says.

The black belt currently teaches class at his academy, Soca Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, in Long Island, New York. Although cutting it close, Soca may appear at the Tijuca Tennis Club with some of his students.

“Nothing’s in stone yet, because I put off getting organized due to a project that ended up not happening. I’m going to try and organize things to compete. If I do, I’ll probably take some students,” he says.

In 2009, Soca put in an appearance. Not having competed in years, he ended up losing in the final, in a close match, but had some great bouts before then. Check out Soca in action:

Master Soca’s Fight @ Rio International 2009 from Soca Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on Vimeo.