Jorge e Celsinho após a luta. Foto: Marcos Santos

Nesse sábado, 20 de junho, Jorge Patino “Macaco” derrotou Celsinho Venicius na luta principal do Thunder Fight 4, por decisão unânime dos jurados, após cinco rounds de intensa batalha. Macaco conquistou o cinturão peso leve da organização.

Tricampeão mundial de Jiu-Jitsu, Celsinho Venicius teve ótimas oportunidades para finalizar a luta, uma delas no primeiro round, quando derrubou Macaco, no ginásio do Pacaembu, em São Paulo. Celso jogou por cima e abriu um corte no supercílio direito do adversário, que por sua vez não se permitia ficar no chão por muito tempo.

Na decisão dos jurados, vitória unânime de Jorge Patino “Macaco”, comemorada pela Chute Boxe Gold Team, inquestionável para alguns, e contestada e vaiada pela Ryan Gracie Team. “Foi uma luta muito difícil, eu já sabia que o Celsinho seria um adversário muito duro, e a gente deu ao público o que eles esperavam. A vitória veio com apoio da equipe, da torcida maravilhosa que veio me apoiar. Consegui colocar para baixo, estabilizar e aguentar as pancadas. Várias vezes bambeei com golpes duros dele, mas não iria desistir, sangrei muito, mas é de sangue que eu gosto, e o resultado está aqui com o cinturão”, declarou Macaco.

Gabriel will try for another win at the International. Photo: Carlos Ozório

Gabriel Willcox is a marked man at gentle art tournaments the world over. He’s a regular visitor to the winners’ stands and among his main titles he boasts wins at the Brazilian Nationals and the Brazilian Team Nationals. Nevertheless, there’s one title that garnered the black belt the most kudos: the International Masters and Seniors.

“It’s funny. Ever since blue belt I’ve made it onto the winners’ stand at several important tournaments, but the International was the one most talked about,” he says.

In 2006, representing Carlson Gracie Team, the featherweight won at weight and open weight, overcoming the much heavier Jorge Patino Macaco in the open class semifinal.

“That match got me the most attention, I was even featured in GRACIEMAG. Everyone thought I’d lose because of the weight difference. But I fought really well and beat Macaco, who’s a great fighter. I think if was the first time a featherweight won both his weight group and the absolute as a black belt in the event. I remember how Barbosinha repeated the feat a year later, but in the senior division. It’s proof of how in Jiu-Jitsu technique can overcome strength,” he asserts.

This year Willcox is following the lead of a lot of other masters. He’s going to compete at both the International and the Rio Open, the adult event held simultaneously.

“I’m not going to miss the chance to compete against the guys in the adult tournament. I think I can still muster up the strength to fight with the kids for a few years yet!” he says in finishing.

Want to compete at the International and Rio Open? Find out more here.