Fernando Tererê (blue gi) won the middleweight silver medal in the European 2013. Photo: Ivan Trindade/GRACIEMAG.com

By nightfall on Friday, news emerged that promises to raise the young and old fans of Jiu-Jitsu.

With the absence of Michael Langhi, the star Fernando Tererê will replace him in the team challenge between Alliance and GFTeam on May 5, at the Hebraica Gymnasium of Rio de Janeiro.

The eternal idol from Cantagalo Hill will face lightweight Vinicius Marinho, from GFTeam, in Rio. “Langhi opted to prioritize the Brazilian Championship in late April and has commitments outside the country in May,” said Jeferson Mayca, Copa Pódio promoter.

The first lot of tickets and access to pay-per-view is now available on www.copapodio.com.

With the absence of Langhi, the card of the event is as follows:

Copa Pódio – Lightweight GP

Clube Hebraica, Rio de Janeiro, RJ

May 5, 2013

TEAM CHALLENGE (ALLIANCE vs GFTEAM)

Léo Leite vs. Rodolfo Vieira

Dimitrius Souza vs. Léo Maciel

Fernando Tererê vs. Vincius Marinho

CITY CHALLENGE (MANAUS vs RECIFE)

Xande Ribeiro (Ribeiro JJ) vs. Braulio Estima (Gracie Barra)

LIGHTWEIGHT GP

Clark Gracie (Clark Gracie JJ – USA)
Diego Borges (Checkmat – Brazil)
DJ Jackson (Lloyd Irvin Team – USA)
Leandro Lo (Cícero Costha – Brazil)
Oliver Geddes (Roger Gracie Academy – England)
Victor Estima (Gracie Barra – Brazil)
Tio Chico (Gracie Barra – Brazil)
Vinicius Marinho (GFTeam – Brazil)

SPECIAL FIGHT

Rodolfo Vieira (GFTeam) vs. Ricardo Demente (Nova União)

There’s a deadly beast unleashed in the brown belt division. Who can rein him in? Photo by John Cooper.

Recently-decorated brown belt Keenan Cornelius, a jewel in the Team Lloyd Irvin crown, put in another sterling performance at the Long Beach Pyramid, last Sunday in California.

As has now come to be expected of him, Keenan took home two gold medals, at the 2012 No-Gi World Championship.

At medium heavyweight he tapped out all his opponents; at absolute he again met up with his rival Francisco “Sinistro” Iturralde of team Alliance, and the only fighter he didn’t submit was his teammate Wilbur Leonard, his opponent in the final, another gold medalist, the winner of the ultraheavyweight division. Once again, the athletes on Lloyd Irvin team refused to close out, and locked horns for real.

Is there anyone in the brown belt division who can stop this wizard of the mats?

Who would you like to see Keenan facing next season?

Commitment in Belo Horizonte

The young American has a few commitments on his agenda for next year. In January, he should be popping by the IBJJF European Championship, in Lisbon, Portugal. On the 28th of April, Kennan is one of the attractions at the Copa Pódio event in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, headlined by the Lightweight Grand Prix. The Lloyd Irvin athlete is set to take part in one of the supermatches.

Let us know what you think, Jiu-Jitsu lover: who can stop Keenan Cornelius?

Watch the brown belt in the final of his weight group and share your prediction.