Cara de Sapato had an awesome performance

The 2012 Pan will have no finals at the absolute black belt.

Both male and female open class divisions saw teammates in the finals.

Among men, Marcus Vinicius “Bochecha” and Antônio “Cara de Sapato” Barbosa, from Check Mat, are the finalists.

Among women, for the third time, Gabi Garcia and Luanna Alzuguir are in the final.

The path to the final was intense as both Bochecha Cara de Sapato.

The first submitted three out of four opponents, including Kron Gracie in the semifinal.

In the best fight of the day, Bochecha sank a nice leg lock that secured the victory when he was behind in the scoreboard.

Rickson’s son, however, has no reason to leave sad as it was brilliant display, always playing ofense and aiming submissions.

From Bochecha, a compliment to Kron: “I never imagined that he was so strong.”

A good example was the match against Ricardo Evangelista, when losing by 6 x 0, Kron was able to win with a ankle lock.

Antonio Barbosa also had a great performance.

He submitted Leandro Lo with a triangle, then secured his advance with the knee ijury sustained by Wanclair Oliveira.

The semifinal opponent would be the favorite Bernardo Faria, world champion and Pan American absolute champion.

Barbosa started behind, victim of  Faria’s half-guard sweep, but recovered and won 4-2, with a last minute takedown that caused Alliance to protest.

Antonio noted that he had nothing of an underdog: “This was our third fight and I won two with this. Last year, in Abu Dhabi, I managed to finish him,” celebrated.

Then the two finalists explained why they will not fight: “We close out the categories since blue belt! We have always trained together.”

And who gets the gold? More mystery: “We are soldiers! Those in charge will decide that,” laughed.

At the female division, the same story again.

For the third consecutive year, Gabi Garcia and Luanna Alzuguir dominated the category.

The weights of the black belt happen this Sunday.

Check out an exclusive photo gallery of the action this Saturday at the 2012 Pan.

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Photos: Ivan Trindade

Bochecha at 2011 Worlds / Photo: Ivan Trindade

Marcus Bochecha has stood out as one of the most talented athletes of the new generation of black belts. At 21 years of age and just one year at the highest rank, Bochecha is always one of the favorites to win whatever competition he is in, with an imposing offense and wide array of positions.

For that reason the fighter is featured in GRACIEMAG #172, on its way to a bookstore near you, in the Training Program section, where he teaches a can’t miss class on his tricks to getting the finish.

In the video below, in action against Bruno Bastos, the CheckMat representative performs a sweep stemming from the omoplata. In the position, the fighter sets up an arm attack, but keeps a sweep up his sleeve as backup. Depending on the opponent’s posture, you can go forwards or backwards.

It’ll take only 59 seconds to see Bochecha’s moves and tricks. If that’s not enough, just watch it again. And, of course, you can find out plenty more in GRACIEMAG, so subscribe here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6Nota5VDBE

Bochecha no Mundial 2011. Foto: Ivan Trindade.

Marcus Bochecha vem se destacando entre os atletas mais talentosos da nova geração de faixas-pretas. Com apenas 21 anos de idade, e no primeiro entre os pretas, Bochecha sempre aparece entre os favoritos em qualquer competição, dono de um jogo ofensivo e posições variadas.

Por isso, o lutador está em destaque na GRACIEMAG #172, em todas as bancas, na seção Plano de Aula, onde ensina alguns dos seus macetes para finalizar num aulão imperdível.

No vídeo abaixo, em ação contra Bruno Bastos, o representante da CheckMat executa uma raspagem que sai da chave omoplata. Na posição, o lutador prepara o ataque no braço, mas mantém como segunda opção a raspagem. Dependendo da postura do oponente, pode ser para frente ou para trás.

São 59 segundos para o leitor pegar os movimentos e macetes de Bochecha. Se for pouco, basta assistir novamente. E, claro, saber muito mais na GRACIEMAG. Assine aqui!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6Nota5VDBE

Lagarto outpointed Bochecha 5 to 0 in the final. Photo: John Lamonica.

Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues put the internet aside in Abu Dhabi during the World Pro 2011. Was he afraid it would distract him? That’s not it. He explains: “The internet at the hotel cost fifty dollars for five days,” the Gracie Barra teacher living in England said with a grin.

Lagarto had a sterling campaign in conquering the over-92-kg division, overcoming the likes of Xande Ribeiro and Marcus Bochecha, a big established name and an up-and-coming star, respectively.

In three quick questions, the fierce but friendly athlete told GRACIEMAG.com what it was that made the difference for him and compared Roger Gracie to a three-dimensional television. Check it out:

What was the mood at the championship like in Abu Dhabi?

Not just in my fights, but I felt that everyone was fighting like it were the final of the World Championship right from the very first fight! At the start of the competition my Japanese opponent was a no-show for the first match. So, right off the bat, none other than Xande Ribeiro stepped up to fight me. In the semifinal I faced José Junior, who lives here in Abu Dhabi. Besides being a young buck full of energy, he also had that advantage, that he was fighting at home. I won, and to finish I had to face Bochecha. So it was really rough!

You’ve been training with Roger Gracie a lot in England. What has changed in your Jiu-Jitsu?

Roger knows so much and is super simple – just like his Jiu-Jitsu. He has a broader vision than the others do. He’s not normal, I’m serious! Let’s just say he’s a 3D wireless TV with Blu-Ray, and the rest of us are old black-and-whites (laughs). I’m laughing but it’s serious. And by training I’m trying to be at least a color TV. I’ll be happy with that, and that’s above average.

Lagarto passou por Bochecha por 5 a 0 na final. Foto: John Lamonica.

Lucio Rodrigues, o Lagarto, deixou a internet de lado em Abu Dhabi, durante o World Pro 2011. Compenetração? Medo de algo na rede o distrair? Nada. Ele explica: “A internet no hotel era 50 dólares por cinco dias”, brinca, bem humorado, o professor da Gracie Barra radicado na Inglaterra.

Lagarto venceu a divisão acima de 92kg em Abu Dhabi com direito a uma grande campanha, em que superou Xande Ribeiro e Marcus Bochecha, o consagrado e a revelação.

Em três perguntas rápidas, o feroz porém carinhoso atleta comentou o que fez diferença com o GRACIEMAG.com, comparou o parceiro Roger Gracie a uma televisão em três dimensões, e ainda deixou um beijo no final. Confira:

Como foi o clima das disputas em Abu Dhabi?

Não apenas nas minhas lutas, senti que o pessoal estava lutando desde a primeira como se fosse a final do Mundial! Comecei a disputa, e na primeira luta o japonês não apareceu. Então, logo de cara, surgiu nada mais nada menos que Xande RIbeiro. Na semifinal, encarei o José Junior, que está aqui em Abu Dhabi. Além de ser um moleque cheio de energia, ainda tinha essa vantagem, de estar lutando em casa. Venci, e para terminar, o presente de grego, o Bochecha. Então foi uma selva!

Você tem treinado direto com Roger Gracie, na Inglaterra. O que mudou no seu Jiu-Jitsu?

O Roger é um cara que sabe muito e é hiper simples. Assim como o Jiu-Jitsu dele. Ele tem uma visão muito mais ampla do que o nível da galera. Não é normal, sério! Poderíamos dizer que ele está na era da TV 3D, sem fio e blu-ray. E a gente na televisão de caixote, preta e branca! (Risos). Tô rindo mas é sério. E eu estou tentando, com esses treinos, ser ao menos uma TV colorida. Já vou ficar feliz, e com isso acima da média também.

Mais algum recado?

Ah. Posso mandar um beijo? Um beijão no coração do Araga (Gustavo Aragão, fotógrafo de GRACIEMAG e seu antigo parceiro de treinos)!