Em entrevista recente ao podcast Pura Connection, o sempre ponderado Leonardo Vieira lançou uma reflexão importante, útil a mestres e alunos.

“Todo professor de Jiu-Jtsu tem uma voz relevante, e um impacto profundo na vida dos jovens”, comentou o líder da Checkmat, e treinador do astro Marcus Buchecha.

“Afinal, o professor pode transformar o ambiente de uma academia em céu ou inferno – só vai depender da capacidade dele de cuidar das pessoas, de liderar um grupo de pessoas”, disse o campeão mundial (1999), em conversa com André Bintang.

Confira a reflexão completa de Leozinho, a seguir.

Fotos: One FC/Divulgação

Marcus Buchecha voltou a finalizar no One FC. O faixa-preta da Checkmat agora tem 5 vitórias e 1 derrota no MMA.

Seu treinador Léo Vieira comentou o feito com o GRACIEMAG.com:

“O Buchecha cantou a luta antes de acontecer. Ele premeditou tudo que ia fazer, e desta vez deixou a luta fluir com total harmonia. O resultado foi uma aula de Jiu-Jitsu, contra o wrestler iraniano Amir Aliakbari. Creio que o Buchecha amadureceu com a derrota recente, e aprendeu a tomar decisões e ajustar ataques com mais paciência, sem querer ganhar rápido. O resto foi a habilidade natural dele”, disse o professor e campeão mundial.

Confira o mata-leão de Buchecha, aos 3min15s do primeiro assalto, no evento na Tailândia.

Saulo Ribeiro finishing with an armlock during the 2013 Worlds Masters

The 2014 World Jiu-Jitsu Masters Championship takes place at the Long Beach Walter Pyramid, on November 1-2.

The registration period closes next October 23 so you have to hurry to be a part of the most important event of the calendar for athletes over 30 years old.

Last year, Saulo Ribeiro was one of the stand outs of the event.

The six-time world champion in the adult division, put on the gi once again to show people why he is a living legend.

Watch one of his fights and see how he imposes his game to reach the armlock finish with easy.

Don’t forget to register here for the 2014 Worlds Masters

The 2014 World Master Championship is still a bit far away, scheduled November 1 -2.

Even so, we have put a list together of ten competitors that we would like to see displaying their technique at the Long Beach Walter Pyramid.

We tried to list names of athletes that are not competing in MMA and also skipped those who have competed recently in other IBJJF events.

Besides being great champions, the members of the list have in common the fact that they are all still active, teaching classes, seminars and camps worldwide.

Here we go.

Marcio Feitosa – Three-time world champion as a black belt (1997, 2001, 2002), Feitosa is the field general for the Gracie Barra team. A devoted pupil of Master Carlos Gracie Jr, he is currently teaching at the headquarters school, in Irvine, California. Known for a highly technical game, Marcinho had his last appearance in the Worlds in 2006, when he was defeated in the final by Rubens Cobrinha, then a rising star in the featherweight division. Feitosa is now 38 years old and would compete in the Master 2 division.

Lana Stefanac – The main name of the 2009 Worlds in the female division, Lana Stefanac became famous when she defeated Kyra Gracie in the open class final still as a brown belt. Now a black belt and owner of Trinity BJJ, in Oakland, CA, Lana has been away from the IBJJF circuit for some time. She also ventured in MMA and has a 6-0 record, with her last fight in 2008. Lana is now 39 years old and would compete in the Master 2 division.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72yBo_9JJxQ

Robert Drysdale – World champion in 2005, Drysdale is one of three USA-born athletes to have ever reached the top of the podium of the event as a black belt (BJ Penn and Rafael Lovato Jr being the other two). A black belt under Leo Vieira, Drysdale is also a ADCC open class champion (2007) and is now venturing into MMA, having recently signed with the UFC. He owns Drysdale BJJ and teaches in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is 33 years old and would compete in the Master 1 division.

Bianca Andrade – Four-time world champion (2005, 2008, 2009, 2010), Bianca is one of the most important names in female Jiu-Jitsu history. From Alagoas, in the northeast of Brazil, she was also a professional bodyboarder before putting on the gi. Famous for her armbars and energetic celebrations, Bianca now teaches at Gracie Barra Maceió, in Brazil, with her husband and also black belt Diojone Farias. She is now 41 years old and would compete in the Master 3 division.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQIpVdC9C5E

Fernando Pontes “Margarida” –  The only one in our list with a adult black belt open class title in the curriculum (2001), Margarida is always a sight to be seen. Considered one of the most talented fighters in the early 2000’s. He had memorable battles with so many great competitors that it’s almost unfair to name just one, but Saulo Ribeiro and Fabio Gurgel come to mind. Margarida is now 34 years old and would compete in the Master 1 division.

Fabio Gurgel – The General is a four-time world champion (1996, 1997, 2000, 2001). Co-founder and co-leader of the nine-time teams world champion Alliance, Gurgel competed for the last time in a IBJJF event in 2010, when he conquered the heavyweight division of the European Championship. An expert in guard passing, Gurgel is known for going head to head with much younger black belts at training. He is now 44 years old and would compete in the Master 3 division.

Leonardo Vieira – Two-time ADCC champion (2003, 2005) and world champion (1999), Leozinho is another of those guys who helped build the history of competition in Jiu-Jitsu. Owner of an exciting game, the founder and leader of Checkmat is known as a skilled strategist and highly technical athlete. In one of his last appearances, Leozinho rose again to the occasion and managed to finish second in the -77kg division of the 2011 ADCC. Leozinho is now 38 years old and would be competing in the Master 2 division.

Vinicius Magalhães – Draculino is a three-time Pan champion (1995, 1996, 1998), but his most important accomplishments came as a Professor, forming new talents. One of the three breeding grounds for the Gracie Barra team (alongside Rio and Recife), his school in Belo Horizonte (or one of his affiliates) revealed such talents as Romulo Barral, Felipe Preguiça, Pablo Silva, Samuel Braga, Cristiano “Titi” Lazarini, among many others. Draculino, now leader of Gracie Barra Texas, is 43 years old and would compete in the Master 3 division.

Roberto “Gordo”Correa – World champion in 1996, Roberto Correa is a black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. He is well known as the first developer of the half-guard and its techniques to attack and defend after a knee injury. Responsible for the developing of many great black belts such as Nino Schembri and Celso Venícius, Correa is for sure one of the most highly regarded Jiu-jitsu Professors in the game. He is 43 years old and would compete in the Masters 3 division.

Royler Gracie – The Gracie on the list, Royler is the leader of Gracie Humaita and for sure one of the protagonists in the history of the gentle art. Four-time world champion (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999) and still the lightest athlete to ever reach the black belt open class podium in a world championship, the son of Helio Gracie is known for being the light guy with a heavy pressure. Currently teaching in San Diego, California, Royler is 48 years old and would compete in the Master 4 division.

What about you, dear reader? Which athlete would you like to see back on the mats at the 2014 Worlds Master?

Leozinho vai ensinar na Jiu-Jitsu Expo, evento promovido por Renzo Gracie na Califa. Foto: Acerto Pessoal

Depois de Marcus Buchecha, Roberto Cyborg e dos irmãos Rafael e Gui Mendes, mais um professor consagrado confirmou presença na World Jiu-Jitsu Expo de 2014, em Long Beach, Califórnia.

Líder da Checkmat, o campeão Leonardo Vieira vai ensinar seus truques de graça no Long Beach Convention Center, no dia 18 de outubro.

Leozinho Vieira, que ganhou fama por encarar Mark Kerr no ADCC 2000, ajudou a treinar uma série de feras do Jiu-Jitsu, dos irmãos Mendes a Buchecha e Lucas Leite.

E você, vai perder esta festa da arte suave? Saiba mais aqui.

Rani nos tempos de WEC, em foto de Josh Hedges/Zuffa

Uma mudança no quadro de atletas brasileiros no Ultimate. Após seis lutas no peso-pena, Rani Yahya retorna para a divisão de pesos-galos do UFC. O brasiliense já tem até duelo marcado, contra Johnny Bedford, no UFC Fight Night de 11 de abril.

O evento, que tem como palco a exótica Abu Dhabi, marca o retorno de Rani à categoria de 61kg, que tem como atual campeão Renan Barão. Rani chegou a disputar o cinturão dos galos no extinto WEC em 2007, mas perdeu para Chase Beebe. Na época com dificuldades de baixar o peso, Rani acabou migrando para o peso-pena.

Yahya (19v, 8d) é oriundo do Jiu-Jitsu, com títulos de pano e também sem kimono, sendo um deles no ADCC 2007, na divisão até 66kg, quando impressionou o mundo ao finalizar Leonardo Vieira.

No UFC, Rani anotou uma finalização e quatro vitórias na decisão, alpem de duas derrotas, sendo a mais recente para Tom Niinimäki, em novembro último.

Bedford (19v, 10d, 1e) é americano, tem passagem pelo Bellator e entrou para o UFC após participar do “TUF”. Bedford vem de derrota, por finalização, para Brian Caraway.

E você, leitor, o que acha de Rani de volta aos galos? Comente conosco!

Leo Vieira working for a sweep. Photo: GRACIEMAG

Leo Vieira tenta raspar. Foto:GRACIEMAG

Mais uma estrela do Jiu-Jitsu confirmou presença no ADCC em Pequim, em outubro deste ano. Trata-se do faixa-preta Leonardo Vieira, atual vice-campeão da categoria dominada por Marcelinho Garcia, a até 77kg.

Léo Vieira estava estudando propostas para lutar MMA, mas optou pelo grandioso evento na capital da China. “Estou confirmadíssimo. Fui convidado e também recebi uma proposta para lutar MMA na mesma data, mas não teve nada concretizado. Tenho muito carinho e respeito pelo ADCC, onde tenho lutado desde 2000”, diz o líder da CheckMat.

Leozinho já conquistou dois títulos no ADCC, mas na divisão até 66kg, e não luta com ou sem pano desde a final com Marcelinho, em Nothingham, Inglaterra, quando foi capturado num triângulo.

“Só estou ficando mais experiente e confiante. Vou chegar lá bem treinado. Vamos com um time bom, praticamente um lutador em cada categoria. Vamos com Marcus Buchecha, João Assis, Rodrigo Cavaca, Alexander Trans e eu, além das meninas Michelle Nicolini, Ida Hansson e Marina Ribeiro”, lista ele.

“Vamos programar um camp com todos juntos, de forma que se não prometemos a vitória, ao menos garantimos um belo espetáculo”, afirma Leozinho.

Alexander Trans. Foto: Germano Felipe

Natural de Copenhague, capital da Dinamarca, Alexander Trans acostumou-se a viajar pelo mundo para treinar e lutar Jiu-Jitsu. Seus resultados nas competições são a prova de que a decisão valeu a pena. O atleta da CheckMat deixou uma boa marca nas faixas intermediárias do esporte. Seu maior feito no Jiu-Jitsu, até hoje, foi na faixa-marrom, quando venceu a categoria pesadíssimo e o absoluto no Mundial de 2011.

Trans foi graduado faixa-preta por Leonardo Vieira em novembro de 2011, e agora luta para se manter na elite do Jiu-Jitsu mundial. No Pan 2012, o gigante ficou com o vice-campeonato, parando apenas para o companheiro de equipe Marcus Buchecha. No início de 2013, Alexander conquistou seu segundo título europeu ao vencer Rodrigo Cavaca na final.

O próximo compromisso do atleta é o Campeonato Mundial de Jiu-Jitsu, que começa nesta quinta-feira. O faixa-preta vai brigar pelo ouro na categoria pesadíssimo, a partir de sábado, e pode eliminar muita gente boa no absoluto, se lutar.

No vídeo abaixo, veja o estilo do lutador:

[highlight]Se você quer continuar aprendendo, e ganhar o mesmo uniforme de Alexander Trans, ficou fácil. Aproveite nossa oferta por tempo limitado: você assina GRACIEMAG, seu verdadeiro manual de Jiu-Jitsu, e leva na hora 1 kimono! Clique aqui e garanta o seu hoje.

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Lucas is a popular figure on the mats of California. Photo: Alicia Anthony/Archives GRACIEMAG

The 2013 IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu World Championship begins on May 29 in Long Beach, California, and the black belt monsters are preparing to take the Pyramid of Cal State Long Beach by storm.

In the middleweight division, the dispute promises big emotions with defending champion Otavio Sousa, DJ Jackson, Victor Estima, Tanner Rice, Claudio Calasans, Diego Borges, Clark Gracie and maybe Marcelo Garcia, who is not yet confirmed.

“This year, what I want the most is to see my students become world champions,” Marcelo says as he takes the spotlight off of himself.

Among the favorites for the gold, there’s also Lucas Leite. The Checkmat professor is sticking to training under Leozinho Vieira in California. He also counts on the help of absolute world champion Marcus Buchecha.

He told us how the training is going. Check it out:

GRACIEMAG: How is the preparation for another World Championship, Lucas?

LUCAS LEITE: The training is excellent, and at full speed. Leo Vieira solved his visa issue after five years and is here to train us and correct some mistakes we were making. I’m happy now. I’m well prepared both on top and bottom. I hope it will show at the Worlds.

Are you healed from that injury at Pans?

Yes, during the last six months I was hurt and I even got discouraged, but thanks to my teammates I kept taking care of it and now I’m fine again. I’d like to thank Buchecha, Marcelo Lapela and João Assis. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be fighting anymore.

How are the back attacks? Sharp?

I’m ready for war and the attacks will come. Taking the back is always my goal, it’s in the blood. Whoever gives the back will have a problem (laughs). The goal is to get there with cardio and explosiveness to reach the back and submit.

In the Pan you fought in the heavy category. Why did you lower your weight now?

In Pan, I was third in the heavy, but I didn’t lose any fights. I opened the semifinal with my partner, Nivaldo Oliveira. He was better than me in training and I was still afraid of the injury. It was good for me to gain confidence again. I’ll fight in the middleweight category now, it’s my real weight. I want to go to win [and] am very confident with my body now.

How do you evaluate the middleweight division?

I’m always saying that it’s the toughest category. You never know who is going to do well. The guys are strong, quick and technical. So it’s always a war in the middleweight and I hope to take that title, God willing, always with a lot of training, focus, discipline, humility and determination!

>>> Register for the World Championship today by clicking here. And to see who is already in, visit the IBJJF website.

Carlos "Esquisito" in the middle, between teammates at brand new Amazon Checkmat academy / Photo: Arthur Castro/publicity

A black belt who has scored titles in all the main Jiu-Jitsu championships, Carlos “Esquisito” Holanda Vieira is now training hard for the next World Championship, coming up in June. Esquisito also may put in an appearance at the Brazilian Nationals, in March. All for the pleasure of motivating his young students back in Manaus.

“I think I’ll only stop competing 30 years from now. Stopping fighting doesn’t cross my mind, as I want my students to see me competing, and I want to be a role model for them. Jiu-Jitsu changed my life, and I know that it will change the lives of a lot of people in my hands,” said the light featherweight, who in late March inaugurated his academy, Amazon CheckMat, in the capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas.

Now who’s your greatest role model in Jiu-Jitsu, gentle reader? Comment and pay tribute to him, or her.

Carlos "Esquisito" no centro, entre os companheiros da novíssima Amazon Checkmat. Foto: Arthur Castro/Divulgação.

Faixa-preta que coleciona todos os principais títulos do Jiu-Jitsu, o amazonense Carlos Holanda Vieira, o Esquisito, já está treinando forte para o próximo Mundial de Jiu-Jitsu, em junho. Esquisito talvez lute também no Brasileiro, em maio. Tudo movido pela alegria de incentivar seus novos pupilos em Manaus.

“Acho que só vou me aposentar dos campeonatos daqui a uns 30 anos. Não penso em parar de lutar, pois quero que meus alunos me vejam competindo e que eu seja um espelho para eles. O Jiu-Jitsu mudou minha vida, e eu sei que ele vai mudar a vida de muitas pessoas em minhas mãos”, disse o peso-pluma, que no fim de março inaugurou sua academia Amazon Checkmat de Jiu-Jitsu, na capital amazonense.

E para você, leitor, quem é seu maior espelho no Jiu-Jitsu? Comente aqui e faça sua homenagem.