Wagnney Fabiano at Bellator 76 weigh-ins / Publicity photo

This Friday night in Ontario, Canada, Bellator 76 wasn’t only about the main event, where Eddie Alvarez knocked out Patricky Pitbull in the very first round.

Jiu-Jitsu professor Wagnney Fabiano made it through to the next stage of the featherweight GP in grand style, having mounted and locked on to Akop Stepanyan’s arm for the finish.

Of the other three through to the next stage, only Rad Martinez was made to go the full three rounds. Mike Richman and Shahbulat Shamhalaev each won by knockout.

“I want to fight for the title,” stated Wagnney, who next takes on Martinez, on November 9.

Watch Wagnney’s performance in the following video. For the complete results, click here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I72efEVZBEc

After beating a grappler of the caliber of Jon Olav Einemo at UFC 131, Herman started believing “Jiu-Jitsu doesn’t work” in MMA. Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa.

Rodrigo Minotauro’s opponent at UFC 153, coming up October 13 in Rio de Janeiro, Team Quest rep Dave Herman has two objectives for this next outing of his.

First, to make MMA history by being the man to retire the legendary Minotauro, as he himself puts it.

The other is to further rewrite the saga of the sport itself. In his own words, from a press conference held yesterday over the phone:

“I want to retire him [he said in Portuguese]. Minotauro’s an MMA legend. He’s fought everyone since the beginning, but I’m going to repeat what I’ve said before: Jiu-Jitsu doesn’t work. And after this fight, everyone’s going to realize that.”

Herman, who has three career submissions on his ledger, first made public this strong opinion of his back in 2011. Dave Herman (21w, 4l):

“I honestly really don’t think it does [work]. If you have any knowledge at all of Jiu-Jitsu, it’s just not going to work. If you literally have never heard of anything and have no idea what they’re doing, OK, kind of like the first UFC, yeah Jiu-Jitsu works. It’s kind of like trickery, basically. If you have any idea about any of the tricks, it’s just not going to work, unless you’re a complete idiot and fall for it… Maybe I should re-phrase it and just say, Jiu-Jitsu doesn’t work on me. As a wrestler I’m going to have to stick with wrestling as the best, but I really think Jiu-Jitsu isn’t that great, and even from a spectator standpoint, it’s not that fun to watch. Striking is obviously the most entertaining.”

Taking to Twitter to issue a rebuttal, Rodrigo Minotauro remarked about his rival’s statement: “Herman’s a big guy with an even bigger mouth. That motivates me a lot. The HSBC Arena is going to tremble on October 13…”

In the meantime, while waiting for the moment of truth to come, can some GRACIEMAG.com reader please show Dave the following videos?

1. Jiu-Jitsu in the UFC

2. Omoplata at Bellator (to go straight to it, it’s at the 5:20 mark)

Rolles Gracie dominates Tony Bonello from high mount at One FC. Photo by Angela Galia (NPPA Images)/publicity

Did you get to see the performances of the black belts Gregor, Igor and Rolles Gracie last Friday in the Philippines?

Watch how the brothers made use of their Jiu-Jitsu at the grandiose Asian promotion One FC, and learn a thing or two from them.

Gregor Gracie vs Nicholas Mann

Jung Hwan Cha vs Igor Gracie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXJWG4U1BmA

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

Rolles Gracie vs Tony Bonello

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLA-07hNomU

ONE FC
QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES
AUGUST 31, 2012

Bibiano Fernandes defeated Gustavo Falciroli via unanimous decision.
Eduard Folayang defeated Felipe Enomoto via unanimous decision.
Andrei Arlovski vs Tim Sylvia ends in No Contest (illegal blow).
Eric Kelly defeated Jens Pulver via TKO at 1:43 min of R2.
Rolles Gracie subbed Tony Bonello via rear-naked choke at 1:33 min of R3.
Jung Hwan Cha defeated Igor Gracie via TKO at 1:03 min of R3.
Soo Chul Kim defeated Kevin Belingon via unanimous decision.
Gregor Gracie subbed Nicholas Mann via armbar at 3:28 min of R1.
Phil Baroni defeated Rodrigo Ribeiro with soccer kicks at 1min of R1.
Shannon Wiratchai defeated Mitch Chilson with soccer kicks at 2:30 min of R2.
Honorio Banario defeated Andrew Benibe via TKO at 3:47 min of R3.

Vitor Belfort, between ex-UFC champion Rashad Evans and Jiu-Jitsu champ Brazilian Estima, during training at Blackzilians camp in Florida / Photo by Ryan Loco

Bráulio Estima had a sterling maiden outing in MMA last month, and following some well-deserved off time surfing, his mind is already back on training—and his eyes on UFC 152.

“It’s hugely satisfying to train with Vitor. I’m a fan of his from way back, so I’m somewhat partial,” said Carcará, another elite athlete helping Belfort prepare for his attempt to take the light heavyweight title from the fearsome Jon Jones, during a chat with GRACIEMAG.com. “Vitor’s a born professional. He’s dedicated and has a wealth of knowledge. Having started so early, he’s got some crazy octagon experience. I’ve learned a lot from him. Training here at Blackzilians is really professional, with lots of tactics, specific training on attacks and blocking takedowns and attacks,” added the Jiu-Jitsu professor from Gracie Barra Birmingham.

As for training, the black belt feels the help of one of Jones’s former friends will prove essential.

“Vitor has been practicing a bit of everything. Rashad Evans is backing Vitor up big time. There’s no one better than him to teach Vitor what he needs to know. Predicting the outcome of a fight like this one is difficult, but there is one thing I can say: Vitor’s doing awesome in striking, ground and pound and Jiu-Jitsu. A fight’s a fight, and nobody’s invincible. The way I see it, the first one to slip up will pay dearly,” he said in closing.

What do you think, savvy reader, will Vitor Belfort hold his own against Jon Jones on the coming 22nd? Will Belfort’s Jiu-Jitsu make the difference? Share your take with us.

UFC 152
Toronto, Canada
September 22, 2012

Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort
Joseph Benavidez vs Demetrious Johnson
Michael Bisping vs Brian Stann
TJ Grant vs Evan Dunham
Matt Hamill vs Vladimir Matyushenko
Cub Swanson vs Charles do Bronx
Seth Baczynski vs Simeon Thoresen
Jimy Hettes vs Marcus Brimage
Igor Prokajac vs Vinny Magalhães
Mitch Gagnon vs Walel Watson
Charlie Brenneman vs Kyle Noke

Can Dan Henderson’s experience and maturity be a match for the youth and dexterity of Jon Jones, the 205 lb champion for four fights and a year and a half now?

To Hendo, the road to victory is paved with gas, surprising and punishing Jones standing for five rounds. Can he pull it off?Watch the video produced by the UFC and share your predictions regarding, UFC 151, coming up September 1.

Anderson or Fedor? Which fighter do you feel is the greatest of all times? Photos: GRACIEMAG montage/publicity.

In 2002, ten years ago, the man considered the best MMA fighter of all times made his debut against the planet’s big boys, at the now historic Pride FC 21.

It was June 23, and both Anderson Silva and Fedor Emelianenko were making their (victorious) debuts at Japanese mega event Pride FC, in the Saitama Super Arena.

At the time, neither of them paid much attention to the other—despite the beatings they laid on the dreaded Alex Stiebling and Semmy Schilt, their respective opponents.

One decade later, the two aces are waging a battle for the hearts of the fans and minds of the pundits as to who the best of their generation is—with the exception of Dana White, of course, who turns a blind eye to the Russian.

A monster of the art of sambo, Fedor Emelianenko fought the burliest heavyweights around in Japan, and went unbeaten for ten years. A genius at Thai boxing and a Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Anderson has taken on the best the UFC middleweight division has to offer (and some light heavyweights), and he has spent the last seven years dazzling the masses and drubbing the competition.

Having had a full decade to think, now we ask our readers to put their two cents’ worth in: Who’s the best of all times in your opinion?

Watch the two fighters’ highlights and share your vote with us:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0lBpsaZBgk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PDhH-tF_OI