Dantas vs. Paschoal. Photo: Erin Herle

A main feature of the 2014 World Jiu-Jitsu Expo on Sunday, Oct. 19 was the 2014 IBJJF Long Beach International Open. While many of the top black belts entered the Pro League on the same day or had their own superfights on the previous night, the Long Beach Open called upon some top names as well.

Overall, the team points were earned as follows:

1 – Brazilian Top Team – 277
2 – Jean Jacques Machado BJJ – 169
3 – Atos Jiu-Jitsu – 149

In the featherweight division, the final came down to BJJ mental coach Gustavo Dantas and Caio Terra Association’s Vitor Paschoal. At the beginning of the match Gustavo attempted a pull as they two went out of bounds and as they reset to the center, Gustavo pulled again and pushed to pace attempting a quick overhead sweep that earned an advantage. They reset standing and as Vitor attempted a pull, Gustavo shot in at the same time to earn two points. From there, Vitor played his guard and worked to get to the back. Gustavo held his balance and defended his back well while Vitor fought to earn his sweep or backtake. Eventually Gustavo got out of the position and stayed in Vitor’s guard. The referee awarded Vitor two points near the end of the match as Gustavo was given warning and penalty for stalling. Gustavo won the match by two advantages.

Lightweight category was won by new Atos black belt Andris Brunovskis. The final was between the new guy and the long-time favorite, Wellington Megaton Dias. Andris pulled guard right away, closed it and worked for an omoplata. After securing the omoplata, Megaton defended well but ultimately tapped to a choke from the crucifix.

The medium-heavyweight category was only a final between Romulo Azevedo and Ricardo Wagner de Oliveira. The match was a close one, only decided by advantages. Ricardo pulled guard and attempted foot attacks but Romulo defended well. He came up for a sweep but Romulo defended, even countering with pass attempts as well. Ricardo locked on a kneebar but it wasn’t enough to submit Romulo. The final score was 6-2 advantages for Romulo.

Two Americans met in the final of the heavyweight category, Morris Ayala and Jason Ackerman. The match began in Jason’s favor as he stood up and earned a sweep and the two points lead. But Morris swept back and his pressure proved to work well. Morris pushed to top half and was able to pass repeatedly via knee slice and he attempted armbars but wasn’t able to submit Jason who defended well. Morris made his way to mount a couple times which racked up the points. By the end of the match as time expired, Morris had outscored Jason 24-2 for the gold.

Here are the results of the black belt adult open class:

Eduardo Alves de Inojosa defeated Romulo Azevedo by injury when a takedown hurt Romulo’s arm.
Vitor Paschoal defeated Jimmy Tat by choke from the back.
Eliot Kelly defeated Nicollas Welker by 2-2 points, 4-2 advantages.
Eduardo defeats Vitor with a kimura.
Carlos Eduardo Faria defeats Eliot with a choke from side control.
Eduardo defeats Carlos by 19-0 points.

Check out the full gallery of the tournament:

See full results here: http://static.ibjjfdb.com/Campeonato/000310/en-US/Results.pdf

Going for the takedown. Photo: Ivan Trindade

The kids can have their fun, too, at the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo in Long Beach, CA on Oct. 18 & 19. The two-day event boasts free seminars, the IBJJF Fall Open, the Pro League and many superfights.

But the kids don’t have to sit on the sidelines through all the action. The IBJJF will host the American Nationals Kids on Saturday, Oct. 18. Kids from four years old and can sign up with brackets extending to the Teens 3 divisions for those born in 1999.

The event registration is open until Oct. 10 at 11:59 p.m. PST.

Academies in attendance include Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Gracie Barra Manhattan Beach, Sandro Batata BJJ and more.

To register your child, go to http://ibjjf.org/championship/american-national-kids-jiu-jitsu-championship/

This is the first event like it where kids can also be the stars of the show in the Long Beach Convention Center.

More information can be found at http://www.worldjiujitsuexpo.com/american-national-kids-jiu-jitsu-championship/

The 2014 World Jiu-Jitsu Expo is now set for October 18 & 19 at the Long Beach Convention Center in California. As with previous years, the event will host seminars, meet & greets, a chance to compete, superfights and more.

Over the next few months there will be announcements as to who will be in attendance and when the tournament registrations are open. Adults, legends and kids all have an opportunity to compete.

Unique to this year will be the IBJJF Pro League combined with the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo. The rankings of black belt determine if they are eligible to compete in the limited tournament that offers cash prizes.

To stay aware of all the updates on the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo, go to www.worldjiujitsuexpo.com

The World Jiu-Jitsu Expo brown/black grand prix on Nov. 10 in Long Beach. Photo: Erin Herle

The grand prix set for the second day of the 2013 World Jiu-Jitsu Expo on Sunday, Nov. 10 began at 10 a.m. inside the Long Beach Convention Center. Since there were black belt athletes who could not make it for the event, two brown belts opted to step in and take their place despite having competed in the brown belt grand prix the day before. The two were Travis Stevens and Shiloh Roberts.

Here is how the Brown/Black Belt GP played out:

GROUP A

Jackson Sousa

Nathan Mendelsohn

Omar Sabha

Marcel Goncalves

Shiloh Roberts

GROUP B

James Puopolo

Eliot Kelly

Travis Stevens

Alessandro Ferreira

Ricardo Rezende

INDIVIDUAL MATCH RESULTS

GROUP A

4 pts – Nathan Mendelsohn defeated Omar Sabha by armbar
4 pts – Jackson Sousa defeated Shiloh Roberts by choke
4 pts – Marcel Louzado defeated Shiloh Roberts by armbar
2 pts – Jackson Sousa defeated Nathan Mendelsohn by 3-3 points 2-1 advantages 0-1 penalty = 2 advantages
4 pts – Omar Sabha defeated Shiloh Roberts by toehold
2 pts – Jackson Sousa defeated Marcel Goncalves by 2-2 points 2-1 advantage = 1 advantage
4 pts – Nathan Mendelsohn defeated Shiloh Roberts by choke from mount
2 pts – Marcel Goncalves defeated Omar Sabha by DQ for knee reap
3 pts – Nathan Mendelsohn defeated Marcel Goncalves by 11-2 points 5-0 advantages
4 pts – Jackson Sousa defeated Omar Sabha by north/south choke

GROUP B

4 pts – James Puopolo defeated Eliot Kelly by kneebar
4 pts – Travis Stevens defeated Alessandro Ferreira by armbar
3 pts – Travis Stevens defeated Eliot Kelly by 6-2 points 9-0 advantages
4 pts – James Puopolo defeated Ricardo Rezende by kneebar
4 pts – Ricardo Rezende defeated Eliot Kelly by choke from the back
4 pts – James Puopolo defeated Alessandro Ferreira by straight armbar
4 pts – James Puopolo defeated Travis Stevens by kneebar
4 pts – Ricardo Rezende defeated Alessandro Ferreira by armbar from triangle
4 pts – Ricardo Rezende defeated Travis Stevens by armbar from triangle
4 pts – Alessandro Ferreira defeated Eliot Kelly by flying armbar

SEMI-FINAL MATCHES

Jackson Sousa vs. Ricardo Rezende

James Puopolo vs. Nathan Mendelsohn

Ricardo Rezende defeated Jackson Sousa by 1-0 advantage
James Puopolo defeated Nathan Mendelsohn by 4-0 points 1-1 advantages

FINAL

Ricardo Rezende vs. James Puopolo

Ricardo Rezende defeated James Puopolo by toehold for the gold trophy:

Ricardo Rezende wins the brown/black grand prix. Photo: Erin Herle

See the full photo gallery here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/graciemag/sets/72157637535157444/

The brown belts prepare for the many matches ahead in the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo Brown Belt Grand Prix. Photo: Erin Herle

On the first day of the 2013 World Jiu-Jitsu Expo, Saturday Nov. 9, the Long Beach Convention Center brought together seminars, superfights, a tournament, brand booths, autograph opportunities and the Brown Belt Grand Prix. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each group of eight men fought every person in their group. After gathering points based on how each match was won, the groups came together in the semi-final match and then determined the winner from there in the final match among the superfights.

Tim Spriggs of Team Lloyd Irvin came out undefeated and attained the gold trophy. See how it all played out:

BROWN BELT GP GROUP A

1- Marcio Andre

2- Manuel Diaz

3- Max Bohanan

4- Bruno Cuppari

5- Thiago Sa

6- Pedro Monneral

7- Darragh O’Conall

8- Michael Liera

BROWN BELT GP GROUP B

1- Travis Stevens

2- Inacio Neto

3- Rodrigo Barbosa (replaced by Felipe Silva)

4- Bruno Iglesias

5- Shiloh Roberts

6- Rafael Henrique

7- Arnaldo de Oliveira

8- Timothy Spriggs

GP POINT SYSTEM:

1 Point – Draw

2 Points – Win by advantage

3 Points – Win by points

4 Points – Win by Submission

INDIVIDUAL MATCH RESULTS

GROUP A

3 pts – Manuel Diaz defeated Marcio Andre 3-0 points
3 pts – Thiago Sa defeated Pedro Monneral by 9-0 points
2 pts – Max Bohanan defeated Bruno Cappari by 1 advantage
2 pts – Michael Liera Jr. defeated Darragh O’Conall by 1 advantage
3 pts – Marcio Andre defeated Max Bohanan 3-2 points
2 pts – Manuel Diaz defeated Bruno Cappari by 3-0 advantages
4 pts – Thiago Sa defeated Darragh O’Conall by toehold
2 pts – Marcio Andre defeated Bruno Cappari by 4 advantages
4 pts – Thiago Sa defeated Manuel Diaz by toehold
1 pt – Michael Liera Jr. and Max Bohanan met in a draw
3 pts – Thiago Sa defeated Marcio Andre by 2-0 points
3 pts – Darragh O’Conall defeated Max Bohanan by 5-2 points
2 pts – Michael Liera Jr. defeated Bruno Cappari by penalty of opponent so advantage
3 pts – Manuel Diaz defeated Michael Liera Jr. by 3-0 points
3 pts – Thiago Sa defeated Max Bohanan by 2-0 points
3 pts – Darragh O’Conall defeated Bruno Cappari 3-0 advantages
4 pts – Manuel Diaz defeated Max Bohanan by footlock
3 pts – Marcio Andre defeated Darragh O’Conall by 4-2 points
2 pts – Michael Liera Jr. defeated Thiago Sa by 2-0 advantages
2 pts – Manuel Diaz defeated Darragh O’Conall by 1-0 advantage
4 pts – Michael Liera Jr. defeated Marcio Andre by footlock
4 pts – Thiago Sa defeated Bruno Cappari by footlock

Manuel Diaz moves on to the semi-final with 14 points
Thiago Sa moves on to the semi-final with 21 points

GROUP B

4 pts – Travis Stevens defeated Inacio Neto by armbar
3 pts – Tim Spriggs defeated Arnaldo de Oliveira by 11-0 points
3 pts – Rafael Henrique defeated Shiloh Roberts by 3-0 points
3 pts – Inacio Neto defeated Bruno Iglesias by 6-0 points
4 pts – Felipe Silva defeated Travis Stevens by kneebar
4 pts – Shiloh Roberts defeated Arnaldo de Oliveira by armbar
3 pts – Tim Spriggs defeated Rafael Henrique by 11-0 points
3 pts – Travis Stevens defeated Bruno Iglesias by 13-4 points
3 pts – Inacio Neto defeated Shiloh Roberts by 3-2 points
3 pts – Tim Spriggs defeated Felipe Silva by 10-0 points
3 pts – Rafael Henrique defeated Inacio Neto by 2-0 points
3 pts – Travis Stevens defeated Rafael Henrique by 4-2 points
3 pts – Tim Spriggs defeated Bruno Iglesias by 2-0 points
4 pts – Travis Stevens defeated Shiloh Roberts by choke
3 pts – Tim Spriggs defeats Inacio Neto by 12-0 points
4 pts – Felipe Silva defeats Shiloh Roberts by kneebar
4 pts – Felipe Silva defeated Inacio Neto by kneebar
4 pts – Rafael Henrique defeated Bruno Iglesias by loop choke
3 pts – Tim Spriggs defeated Shiloh Roberts by 9-0 points
2 pts – Tim Spriggs defeated Travis Stevens by advantage
4 pts – Felipe Silva defeated Rafael Henrique by toehold
3 pts – Travis Stevens receives 3 points since Arnaldo dropped out due to injury
3 pts – Rafael Henrique receives 3 points from absence of Arnaldo
3 pts – Felipe Silva receives 3 points from absence of Arnaldo
3 pts – Inacio Neto receives 3 points from absence of Arnaldo
3 pts – Bruno Iglesias receives 3 points from absence of Arnaldo

Felipe Silva moves on to the semi-final with 19 points
Tim Spriggs moves on to the semi-final with 20 points

SEMI-FINAL MATCHES

Manuel Diaz vs. Tim Spriggs
Felipe Silva vs. Thiago Sa

Thiago Sa defeated Felipe Silva by 4-2 points 2-1 advantages
Tim Spriggs defeated Manuel Diaz by 3-0 points 1-0 advantages

FINAL

Thiago Silva vs. Tim Spriggs

Tim Spriggs defeated Thiago Sa by 5-1 in advantages with 2 penalties and becomes the 2013 World Jiu-Jitsu Expo Brown Belt Grand Prix champion:

See full gallery of over 200 photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/graciemag/sets/72157637501224585/ 

Vinicius Draculino and Rafael Sapo add to list of free seminars at 2013 World Jiu-Jitsu Expo

Renzo Gracie has added yet another event to the 2013 World Jiu-Jitsu Expo on Nov. 9 and 10 at the Long Beach Convention Center.

Professor Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhaes will join with UFC fighter and Jiu-Jitsu black belt Rafael “Sapo” Natal to teach a super seminar. Draculino has brought up Jiu-Jitsu stars such as Romulo Barral and Samuel Braga. Sapo teaches at the Renzo Gracie Academy in NYC and also will fight in the UFC Fight Night 31: Fight for The Troops 3 against Tim Kennedy on Nov. 6, just three days before the expo!

Both active members of the Jiu-Jitsu community as well as MMA, they have much to bring to the mats for you. Buy your tickets now at www.worldjiujitsuexpo.com

Full free seminar list is as follows:

Caio Terra and Carlos Condit
Lyoto Machida and Roger Gracie
Ryron and Rener Gracie
Mendes Brothers
Braulio Estima
Andre Galvao
Robert Drysdale
Vinicius Draculino and Rafael Natal
And more to come!

Kron Gracie vs. Rodolfo Vieira at 2013 World Jiu-Jitsu Expo

Caio Terra and Carlos Condit will teach a seminar together at the 2013 World Jiu-Jitsu Expo

The 2013 World Jiu-Jitsu Expo on Nov. 9-10 at the Long Beach Convention Center continues to grow the already stacked event schedule. Autograph signings, superfights and free seminars are enough to make any Jiu-Jitsu fan happy but organizer Renzo Gracie and his team have added one more great attraction:

Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Caio Terra alongside UFC Welterweight fighter Carlos Condit will hold a super seminar together.

With the techniques and secrets of these two stars of Jiu-Jitsu and MMA the value is priceless. But really, it’s free. So you do the math on its worth.

Furthermore you will be able to meet and talk with the athletes and get autograph signings.

For the full list of free seminars, autograph sessions, superfights and much more, visit: www.worldjiujitsuexpo.com

Buchecha at the IBJJF No-Gi Worlds. Photo: John Cooper / Archives GRACIEMAG

Although the second edition of the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo will be in November, on 9 and 10, the temperature of the event has already started to heat up.

Days after training with surfing idol Kelly Slater, the absolute world champion Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida met with the organization and will participate in a superfight at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California.

The best is that the Expo, designed by Renzo Gracie, wants the people to choose how star Buchecha must fight the beast. Do you have any guesses? Who do you think should face Buchecha the 2013 World Jiu-Jitsu absolute champion?

The news was released ten days after the announcement that Rodolfo Vieira will also participate in the Jiu-Jitsu Expo in another one of the supermatches.

The people, represented by the readers of GRACIEMAG, listed several suggestions for Rodolfo’s opponent. André Galvão, Frank Mir, Leandro Lo, Fabricio Werdum and Vinny Magalhaes.

And against Buchecha? You decide. The organization promises to reveal soon and secure the supermatches for the Expo. For now, only Jeff Glover vs. Bruno Malfacine is confirmed.

See other attractions of Expo 2013 here.

Rickson and Royce Gracie. Photo: Family Archive/GRACIEMAG

The second edition of the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo is going to take place November 9 and 10, but the attractions are already coming together. The organizers have confirmed, for example, the presence of brothers Rickson and Royce Gracie at the Long Beach Pavillion.

The masters and MMA idols will be giving autographs and talking to fans on both days of the event. MMA referee “Big” John McCarthy is another name confirmed.

The convention center in Long Beach will be the stage for the big fair, which promises for the second time to bring together the biggest stars of Jiu-Jitsu and MMA in free seminars, superfights, exhibits and conversations about Jiu-Jitsu.

There will be homages to some of the sport’s pioneers like Carlos, Helio, Carlson and Rolls Gracie. Another big attraction is the photo exhibit featuring the work of Susumu Nagao and Marcelo Alonso about the origins of vale tudo, before it became MMA and took the world by storm.

To secure your spot, visit the Jiu-Jitsu Expo website here.

And if you want to promote your brand during the Expo, find out how here.

Bráulio Estima celebrates overcoming Jacaré in the ADCC 2011 supermatch. Photo: Dan Rod/GRACIEMAG.com.

If you can’t make it to Long Beach, California, on the 12th of May, you won’t get to polish up your gentle-art skills under the expert eyes of the likes of Roger Gracie, André Galvão, Robert Drysdale, Rodrigo Comprido and Ronaldo Jacaré. Nor will you get to put on a show of your own at the inaugural IBJJF Spring Open, another monumental attraction to feature at the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo. But that doesn’t mean you’re excluded from the action at the Long Beach Convention Center altogether.

The all star cast on the supermatch card likely has UFC president Dana White burning with envy, and you can watch all the Gi and No-Gi action streamed live over the internet via mobileblackbelt.tv.

While the main event is a must-see, with UFC superstar Nick Diaz putting his black belt and incisive rubber-guard to a stern test in a No-Gi bout with ADCC superchampion Bráulio Estima, the rest of the card is no less riveting:

Three of the Jiu-Jitsu royal family’s top competitors will be defending the Gracie name: Pan 2012 champ with the tentacular guard Kayron Gracie will have his work cut out for him in the gi against Rafael Lovato Jr., the man who made history when he became the first black belt to win the European Open, Pan-American, Brazilian National, and World Championships all in the same year; the son of gentle-art legend Rickson Gracie, Kron Gracie will don his gi and seek revenge for his loss to Victor Estima at this year’s Pan-American Championship; while multiple world- and ADCC-title holder Kyra Gracie will have a bout of grappling with Alexis Davis, an MMA fighter on the Strikeforce roster.

Rounding out the six-match card are two intriguing rematches: Nino Schembri, a decorated world champion who is further distinguished by his knockout of Kazushi Sakuraba during Pride FC’s heyday, will be looking for redemption for his 2010 defeat at the hands of Paragon BJJ’s Bill Cooper (watch it here); and sparks are bound to fly in the No-Gi grudge match between 2007 No-Gi world champion Jeff Glover  and the only four-time winner of the No-Gi World Championship, Caio Terra.

If Jiu-Jitsu or MMA is your thing, you won’t want to miss it. Pre-pay your live stream before the connections run out; click here. The action begins at 6:30 pm Pacific Standard Time on Saturday, May 12.

Supermatch card

Nick Diaz vs. Bráulio Estima (No-Gi)
Kayron Gracie vs. Rafael Lovato Jr (Gi)
Victor Estima vs. Kron Gracie (Gi)
Nino Schembri vs. Bill Cooper (Gi)
Kyra Gracie vs. Alexis Davis (No-Gi)
Caio Terra vs. Jeff Glover (No-Gi)