Leozinho | Graciemag

Celebrate Leo Vieira’s birthday and learn a clever way to beat the spider guard

Thu, 24 Mar 2016 03:45:59 +0000

Leo Vieira celebrates his 40th birthday this March 23.

World champion in 1998 and two times ADCC champion (2003, 2005), Leozinho is also the founder and leader of Checkmat.

We mark the date with a video of Leozinho teaching how to break the opponent’s spider guard and reach side control.

Pay attention to the flow of the position and add it to your game.

The post Celebrate Leo Vieira’s birthday and learn a clever way to beat the spider guard first appeared on Graciemag.

ADCC 2013: Leo Vieira going to Beijing in the 77kg division

Fri, 12 Jul 2013 01:24:04 +0000

Leo Vieira working for a sweep. Photo: GRACIEMAG

Another star of Jiu-Jitsu has been confirmed for ADCC in Beijing in October this year. This is the black belt Leonardo Vieira, the current runner-up of the category dominated by Marcelo Garcia, the 77kg.

Léo Vieira was studying proposals to fight MMA, but opted for the great event in China’s capital. “I’m confirmed. I was invited and I also received a proposal to fight MMA on the same date, but had nothing materialized. I have great admiration and respect for the ADCC, which I have competed in since 2000,” says the leader of CheckMat.

Leozinho already won two titles in ADCC, but in the 66kg division, and he has not competed in no-gi since the final against Marcelo in Nothingham, England, when he was caught in a triangle.

“I’m just getting more experienced and confident. I’ll get there well-trained. I’m coming with a good team, practically a fighter in each category. There’s Marcus Buchecha, João Assis, Rodrigo Cavaca, Alexander Trans and I, plus girls Michelle Nicolini, Ida Hansson and Marina Ribeiro,” he lists.

“We set a camp all together, so that if they do not secure victory, it will at least guarantee a good show,” said Leozinho.

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Lucas Leite excited for the Worlds: ‘Whoever gives the back will have a problem’

Tue, 14 May 2013 22:42:41 +0000

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.

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