For Manuel Diaz, the brown belt competitor at Institute of Martial Arts, he received his black belt in a silly way as well. In this video, even without sound you can see that Caio is teaching about the various belt levels using his students to demonstrate. As he comes to Samir, he takes Samir’s belt and hands it over to Manny.

See what Caio has to say about the promotion and watch the video below:

“Today was a very special day for my school, and our association. In the three years we have been open, Manny is the first black belt to be promoted at the Institute of Martial Arts in San Jose. It’s a great honor to call him my student and an even greater honor to call him my friend.

Manny works harder than most people to provide for his family and still finds time to train. Jiu Jitsu, is truly a part of his life.

At the end of class I told the students we were filming a video on belt ranks and asked if they could stay. When it came to Samir I told him, “Samir, you don’t even have your belt on, maybe some one else should wear it” and awarded Manny his black belt (sorry no sound).

No matter where life takes you, please remember this day. Not because you got a new belt, but because I want you to always know that no matter what, your family, your teacher and your team/friends all love you.

Today you woke up as a brown belt, but go to sleep as a black belt. You were awarded your black belt not because you won any tournament or can tap out so many people but because of who you are as a person. Congrats Manny, this is just the beginning!”

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/ 

Four days from the day of the event, the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo keeps breaking news on the super-fight roster.

Turns out Rousimar Toquinho is out of the battle against Dean Lister, but the WJJE already came up with another warrior to face the Boogeyman.

2010 World champion, the Alliance star agreed to fight Lister in a 20-minute no-gi match where submissions are the only way to win.

The WJJE takes place this weekend, Nov. 9-10, at the Long Beach Convention Center.

For the complete list of super fights and other events scheduled for the 2013 World Jiu-Jitsu Expo, go to worldjiujitsuexpo.com

Jackson Souza, bronze in the 2013 Worlds, is among the favorites. Photo: Erin Herle/GRACIEMAG

The World Jiu-Jitsu Expo has published the list of 16 brown-belts who will be fighting in the event’s new Grand Prix, slated for November 9 and 10 in LongBeach, Calif.

Besides the 16 brown belt aces, among them a bunch of world champs, the Renzo Gracie-promoted show will feature another GP with only black-belts who have achieved that status under two years ago.

The Expo aims to enlist these over the following days. Those interested should email renzogracie@worldjiujitsuexpo.com with the following: titles, a 1 1/5″ x 1 3/4″ picture, team name, weight, height and phone number.

The sixteen athletes selected for the brown belt GP are:

*Travis Stevens (Renzo Gracie)
*Timothy Spriggs (Lloyd Irvin)
*Rafael Henrique (Gordo Jiu-Jitsu)
*Thiago da Silva (Checkmat)
*Arnaldo de Oliveira (Barbosa)
*Bruno Iglesias (Carlson Gracie)
*Michael Liera Jr. (Atos)
*Marcio André (Nova União)
*Max Bohanan (Ricardo Almeida)
*Jackson Sousa (Checkmat)
*Bruno Cuppari (Brasa)
*Pedro Monnerat (Gordo)
*Manuel Diaz (Caio Terra)
*Darragh O’ Conaill (Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu)
*Rodrigo Aquiles (Alliance)
*Shiloh Roberts (Lovato)

Travis Stevens represented America at the Copa Podio Middleweight GP. Photo: Copa Podio

Back in the states after the Copa Podio Middleweight Grand Prix in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sept. 8, Travis Stevens has collected his thoughts and gathered them for GRACIEMAG to offer. Almost onto the podium, Travis was able to submit Jaime Canuto, defeat Manuel Diaz by advantages and make it into the semi-final match before losing to the winner, Felipe Preguica Pena.  The two-time Judo Olympian did as he said he would in the pre-interview and avoided using his Judo in the tournament but lapsed in the semi’s to which he apologized to his opponent mid-match.

Not many athletes have strict principles when a win is on the line but Travis adheres to them like his mindset of level playing grounds. But we’ll let you hear it in his own words. From his reflections we’re able to learn what it takes for a Judoka to enter into a prestigious Jiu-Jitsu tournament among world champions with a brown belt on his waist and two sore ankles:

GRACIEMAG: Which opponents were your toughest matches and why? Would it be safe to say that a certain type of game was the hardest for you to deal with?

Travis after he defeated Manual Diaz. Photo: Copa Podio

TRAVIS STEVENS: [Renato] Cardoso was my toughest match as you can tell by the result (he was the only guy to submit me). He was also the only guy I was concerned with. He has amazing foot locks, I knew that going into Copa Podio and that’s what made me nervous. I had a severe ankle injury and had ankle surgery 6 weeks prior to Copa Podio. And I wasn’t sure how my ankle would handle itself in that type of position. And three days prior to the event I was training 50/50 at Gordo’s school knowing Cardoso wanted to get there and I hate 50/50 with a passion. While training I popped my good ankle so going into that match both ankles were not at 100%. I was really worried that he would get my ankle and foot lock me and I would have to pull out of the competition. So I ended up holding back and it showed.

You almost passed the guard and took the back of Paulo Miyao which would have granted you access that not many people gained. What advice can you give to those who take on someone who has been seen as a prodigy?

I did almost have his back! I think I would of had it if my judo instincts didn’t kick in and I secured the position. I never should have gone for the choke right off the back take; it really cost me. I couldn’t help but laugh at my mistake. I was smiling at Miyao the rest of the match. I mean the guy who is world champion open weight champion at the rank I hold almost got his back taken by a guy who only trained BJJ for 9 days a month prior to the event.

Playing guard against Felipe Preguica in the semi-final match. Photo: Copa Podio

Prodigy is a funny term that gets thrown around in sports. I truly think that there is no such thing as a prodigy; you only get what is earned. I also truly believe that there is not one BJJ or Judo player in the world that I can’t beat. Having said that, that doesn’t mean that I can’t lose it just means that if given enough time and opportunities I can submit anyone without a doubt in my mind. So when you step out on to the mat and look across at your opponent and you doubt yourself and start thinking “this guys world champ this guy is a black belt, this guy submitted me before” just remember that he hasn’t won the competition yet, he hasn’t beaten you yet. To me every day is a new day just because you won the Pans doesn’t mean you will win the Worlds. So every day I wake up everyone is on the same level. What I mean is Paulo, Xande, Galvao, Estima, and myself are all on the same level along with everyone else who does BJJ. I mean, every thing from white belt to black belt. Because until they’ve beaten me who’s better is just an opinion not fact. This is not ego it’s a mindset. Even if let’s say Galvao walked into Renzo’s and kicked the crap out of me. I would reflect on it study how he did it and wake up the next day with everyone on the same level again because its a new day and if he wants to prove himself and beat me again he can but I’ll wake up the next day with him and I on the same level. Just because I put myself on the same level doesn’t mean I don’t have things to learn. I try to learn things from everyone whether it’s a white or blue belt or the black belt teaching class. I love going to the gym and learning new things. When you put people on a pedestal all that means is you assume that you can’t or won’t win. And you’re the only person who decides whether you win or lose.

In one of your later matches you resorted to throwing your opponent, something you steered away from in your earlier matches. What was going through your head?

Yeah I really didn’t want to do that. But I was down 7-0 and he passed so fast off my pull it caught me off guard. Most guys just settle in, establish grips then start passing. So he scored quickly and about half way through I realized he did not want to play from the bottom and when we stood up I mentally said “—- it” and started working my arms in preparation for the throw. So I spun him around, threw him, he stood up, threw him again. Right when the ref stopped the match to bring us back to the center I looked at him shook my head and said “I’m really sorry but I’m losing” he responded with “no problem”. But once the ref stopped it and brought it back to the center I knew I couldn’t use the throws to my advantage. He recovered and got to reset his grips and think.

You favorite part of participating in the event and your least favorite?

My favorite part about competing was almost having Miyao’s back. Because I was so close yet still made a mistake yet it’s an easy mistake to fix.  My least favorite part of the event was in the final for bronze when I lost to Miyao. I felt cheated. With about a minute to 45 seconds left he went for a toe hold and I was forced to spin out. But when he restarted us the ref never awarded an advantage so we were still tied. I though wow I guess I dodged a bullet. And when time ran out we were still tied, stood up and thought I just won there is going to be an over time period and I’m just going to take him down for the win. Then out of nowhere the ref awards him an advantage for that toe hold 45 seconds earlier. I feel cheated because if he had awarded the advantage when he should have I could have came back.

And when will we see you again in Jiu-Jitsu competition?

I will be competing again! Right now I’m scheduled to do the World Expo brown belt only division. I’m also talking with the guys who run Copa Podio to compete in the heavyweight division. Or doing a super fight. But I told them that if I did a super fight it would have to be no time limit submission only but they don’t think that they will be able to get an opponent for that type of match-up. So we will see but either way I’ll be competing at the event.

Check out this short clip of his throws courtesy of @BJJHacks instagram:

Felipe Preguica takes the back of Diogo Moreno in the final. Photo: Gustavo Aragao

The Copa Podio Middleweight Grand Prix was held Sunday, September 8 with various athletes thrown into a mix of talent for one trophy. Brown belts, judokas, new black belts, seasoned competitors, Australians, Americans, featherweights, you name it. The amount of differences between each opponent left the predictions scattered.

The event lasted many hours at the famous Tijuca Tenis Club in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with two superfights intertwined as well. The two groups faced each of their group members to earn points based on how the match was won. A win earns three points, a draw earns one point for each opponent and a loss is zero points. Whoever has the most points in their group will go on to face the person who has the most points of the other group. A third place match is set for the second place athletes from each group. In the case of a tie-breaker, overall submissions and aggressiveness will determine.

Felipe Preguica won the grand prix while Leandro Lo and Clark Gracie both won their matches.

The full results:

Copa Podio Middleweight GP

Tijuca Tennis Club, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Challenge of Cities: Clark Gracie (San Diego) took the back of Diego Borges (Manaus) and finished with a choke 22:37 into the no time limit match

ROUND 1 OF GP

Green Group: Renato Cardoso (Checkmat) defeated Travis Stevens (Renzo Gracie) with a triangle 1:11

Green Group: Paulo Miyao (Cicero Costha) swept Manuel Diaz (Caio Terra) and won 2-0

Yellow Group: Felipe Preguica Pena (Gracie Barra) won Alexandro Ceconi (Ceconi Team) by 7-0

Yellow Group: Diogo Moreno (Soul Fighters) swept Davi Ramos (Atos) and won 2-0

ROUND 2 OF GP

Green Group: Paulo Miyao (Cicero Costha) drew with Jaime Canuto (GFTeam) with 0-0

Green Group: Travis Stevens (Renzo Gracie) defeated Manuel Diaz (Caio Terra) by 1 advantage

Yellow Group: Diogo Moreno (Soul Fighters) beat Kit Dale (Checkmat) by 5-2

Yellow Group: Davi Ramos (Atos) finished Alexandro Ceconi with a toehold in 31 seconds

ROUND 3 OF GP

Green Group: Manuel Diaz (Caio Terra) defeated Renato Cardoso (Checkmate) by 2-0

Green Group: Travis Stevens (Renzo Gracie) defeated Jaime Canuto (GFTeam) with an armbar from omoplata

Yellow Group: Felipe Preguica (Gracie Barra) choked Davi Ramos (Atos) from the back

Yellow Group: Kit Dale (Checkmat) swept Alexandro Ceconi (Ceconi Team) and won 2-0

ROUND 4 OF GP

Green Group: Paulo Miyao (Cicero Costha) turned the fight and defeated Travis Stevens 2 advantages to 1

Green Group: Jaime Canuto (GFTeam) defeated Renato Cardoso (Checkmat) by 3 advantages to 0

Yellow Group: Diogo Moreno (Soul Fighters) swept Alexandro Ceconi (Ceconi Team) and won 2-0

Yellow Group: Felipe Preguica (GB) swept and won Kit Dale (Checkmat) by 2-0

ROUND 5 OF GP

Green Group: Manuel Diaz (Caio Terra) finished Jaime Canuto (GFTeam) with an armbar

Green Group: Paulo Miyao (Cicero Costha) took his back and choked Renato Cardoso (Checkmat)

Yellow Group: Kit Dale (Checkmat) drew with Davi Ramos (Atos) by 2-2

Yellow Group: Felipe Preguica (Gracie Barra) defeated Diogo Moreno (Soul Fighters) with a triangle

SEMIFINALS:

Diogo Moreno won Paulo Miyao by 4-2 in sweeps

Felipe Preguica won Travis Stevens by 9-2

SUPERFIGHT (no-gi):

Leandro Lo (Cicero Costha) won Calasans Claudius (Atos) by 7-0 (two sweeps and a pass)

DISPUTE THIRD PLACE:

Paulo Miyao beat Travis Stevens after draw at 2-2

THE FINAL GP:

Felipe Preguica took the back of Diogo Moreno and won by 4-2

The two groups set for the second edition of the Copa Podio Middleweight GP. Photo: Copa Podio

The Copa Podio Middleweight GP has set its roster and determined the green and yellow groups for its second edition. On Sunday, September 8, the event will begin at 5:00 p.m. local time at the Tijuca Tenis Club in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The time for Los Angeles or PST will be 1:00 p.m. and for New York or EST will be 3:00 p.m.

Each group holds five competitors. Each person will face each other in their own group and gain points that will decide who goes to the semi-final matches.

The points are as follows: 4 points for a win by submission, 3 points for a win via points or advantages and 1 point for a draw.

The groups have been decided:

GREEN GROUP

Renato Cardoso
Travis Stevens
Paulo Miyao
Manuel Diaz
Jaime Canuto

YELLOW GROUP

Felipe Preguiça
Alexandro Ceconi
Diogo Moreno
Yan Cabral
Kit Dale

A new detail has been added by the Copa Podio organization: “All pay-per-view subscribers, as well as the audience at the gymnasium, will be able to vote to decide which team will face Leandro Lo and the Miyao brothers in a new event that will be organized after the Middleweight Grand Prix.”

To purchase the livestream and for more information visit www.copapodio.com

Manuel Diaz will compete at the Copa Podio Middleweight GP. Photo: Copa Podio

The Copa Podio Middleweight GP has undergone many changes since its first announcement however the roster is now set for the September 8 event. Manuel Diaz, a Mexican-American, will take on the spot that fellow competitor Keenan Cornelius left when he chose to opt out recently.

Manuel Diaz is a brown belt under Caio Terra who received his most recent belt rank on the podium of the 2012 World Championship at the hands of Caio. The Bay Area native has only been training since 2009 but already accumulated World and Pan American titles as well as a spot at the 2012 Abu Dhabi WPJJC after winning double gold at a trial event in which he severely injured his ankle half-way into his matches.

Known as a hard worker with a severe obsession towards what he loves (he played golf avidly for years) he takes his heart of gold to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in September to take on some of the best in the world.

GRACIEMAG asked Manny some quick questions during a break in his schedule, see what he says about his invitation:

GRACIEMAG: How did you feel when you were invited to a prestigious tournament on such late notice?

I was honored to be invited, honored to be considered even though I’m still a brown belt.

What is your training routine and are you making changes to accomodate this tournament?

Right now evening training is the only training I have due to a full time job, unfortunately. Although it was short notice I still feel I have plenty of time to prepare. I started training at 5 a.m. to adjust my body to the time change. I think this is the biggest change I’ve made for the event but other than that it’s still the same training at Institute of Martial Arts.

Who do you feel is your biggest threat?

Everyone in the tournament is very skilled and I feel that each of them are equally dangerous. They were invited because of this fact and I feel honored to be on the same card.

Do you feel that you are already a force at the black belt level despite still having a brown belt around your waist?

As far as me being a force on the black belt level I still feel I have a ton to learn. The only thing I can do is give it my all and leave it all on the mat; time will tell.

The Copa Podio Middleweight Grand Prix will be on Sunday, September 8; more information and a livestream feed available at: www.copapodio.com

Check out his preparation from the 2013 Worlds Camp at GMA Institute of Martial Arts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EVZqb_F9Xs

Em guarda: Samir Chantre foi o campeão peso-pena em San José. Fotos: John Cooper.

Com quase mil inscritos, a edição 2012 da American Cup reuniu, no fim de semana, alguns dos futuros campeões de Jiu-Jitsu da Califórnia e dos EUA, com o padrão de organização que é marca registrada das competições do pioneiro Claudio França, professor carioca radicado na paradisíaca Santa Cruz.

Entre os destaques do campeonato, Diego Herzog (Ralph Gracie) abiscoitou o ouro absoluto na faixa-preta, enquanto Matthew Todd (Gracie Fighter) faturou o absoluto marrom. O aberto roxa ficou com Manuel Diaz, também atleta da Gracie Fighter.

Veja os resultados completos no site oficial do evento, aqui.

Confira as melhores imagens do grande evento, pelas lentes do incansável John Cooper.

5ª American Cup – Domingo

[flickr set=72157629568518162]

5ª American Cup – Sábado

[flickr set=72157629925860351]

Photo: John Cooper.

Day two from the 5th American Cup in San Jose, CA started out with the white belt competitors. And what they lacked in experience in Jiu-Jitsu they made up for with heart and determination. These fighters came to represent themselves and their academies and put on quite a show for the nearly packed house.

Next up was the main event – the black belts. Diego Herzog from Ralph Gracie took the gold in the adult black belt open class final against Marcus Atecante from Soul Fighters, informs our John Cooper.

Also of note, Samir Chantre from Gracie Fighter won gold in the adult black belt feather weight final while Osvaldo Augusto, also from Gracie Fighter, took gold in the adult black belt light weight final.

Manuel Diaz takes purple belt open gold medal

To close out the day were the purple belts. Manuel Diaz from Gracie Fighter won the adult purple belt open class final with a victory over Ryan Jensen from Gracie Barra.

Tom Tupper from Coalition 95 won gold in the Senior II purple belt division. Also of note, Jose Fernandez from Sandro Batata won gold in the adult purple belt light feather weight division with his victory over Jonathan Gaxiola from Coalition 95.

Here are the team trophy results. Stay tuned for the American Cup pictures by John Cooper, this Monday, in GRACIEMAG.com.

Adult Team

1st – Gracie Fighter, 66 pts.

2nd – Ralph Gracie, 55 pts.

3rd – Coaltion 95, 54 pts.

Juvenile Team

1st – Yemaso BJJ, 18 pts.

2nd – Coalition 95, 16 pts.

3rd – Merced MMA, 9 pts.

Female Team

1st – Gracie Humaita

2nd – Ribeiro JJ

3nd – Coalition 95