Gianni Grippo at the 2012 No-Gi Pan Ams. Photo: Mike Calimbas

The ADCC continues to invite athletes to fill the spots of its five male and two female categories for the October 19-20 event in Beijing, China. Many athletes have come forward to show interest in earning such an invitation to the prestigious event and some have even succeeded in their endeavors. Names such as Jonathan JT Torres, Lucas Leite, Justin Rader, Hannette Staack (although she gave way for Ida Hansson instead).

Already on the list are the current champions, trial winners, legends, UFC fighters and more. Some participants in the mix are not black belts such as Darson Hemmings, Keenan Cornelius, Garry Tonon to name a few who won the trials. Laura Hondorp is even a purple belt but that isn’t a new sight considering Hillary Williams was invited as a purple belt in 2009 and placed third in the 60 kg division. As far as invitations, Marcio Andre placed second at the Brazil trial and was given a shot as a brown belt anyway.

Another active and hungry brown belt competitor who believes he deserves an invitation is Gianni Grippo, a brown belt under Marcelo Garcia in New York City. A six-time world champion, two of them in no-gi, the 21-year-old feels he has what it takes to put up a fight in the ADCC 66 kg division. He spoke with GRACIEMAG about his expectations, accomplishments and hopes of earning an invitation to the 2013 ADCC:

GRACIEMAG: ADCC invites those who they believe have enough skill to make it to the final. What division would you be asking to enter and based on who is in that division already, what makes you believe that you can go all the way?

GIANNI GRIPPO: If I were to be invited to ADCC I’d be looking to compete in the -66kg weight class. I believe that I can go all the way in this weight class because I believe in my game and in my desire to win. I train and drill constantly for events and opportunities like these and I know I wouldn’t pass this opportunity up. Whatever I go into I always give my 100%.

Have you been in ADCC before? What were your results? What has changed since the last time you were there?

I have not been to ADCC before nor have I done the trials in the past. I was always unable to because another goal of mine this year was to win the IBJJF World championships, and add that along with still dealing with school, the dates of the trials in the United States never matched up well for me. So if I do get the opportunity to compete, it will be my first go-around.

If they had an invite for you but in a weight class different than what you normally fight, would you still accept?

Of course, since I was a kid I dreamed of myself competing at the ADCC. In 2007 I went to watch the ADCC with my dad when it was in New Jersey and it was the greatest showcase of grappling I had ever seen! From that point on I knew I wanted to be a part of that event someday and prove myself as one of the best against the best in the world.

What accomplishments in no-gi do you have that could prove your skill?

Although I haven’t been to ADCC yet, my no-gi results have been pretty solid so far. I have medaled at every No-Gi World Championship I have entered and have won in both 2007 and 2010. Also I have been to the No-Gi Pan American Championship every year since the IBJJF started it in New York in 2008 and only once in its 5 year history did I not see gold. In 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012 I took gold while in 2011 I took silver.

If you chose the qualifications for an ADCC invite, what do you think would be necessary for all participants?

What I believe are good qualifications for this event is someone that is well-rounded both on the mats and off. On the mat, I believe that it is important that the competitor is able to possess an exciting, attacking style while off the mat they must be a good ambassador of the sport upholding the event’s name with a positive and humble attitude. I never believe that there is the need for bad mouthers or disrespectful competitors in such an upscale event. Also having good credentials with numerous big wins under your belt should be taken into consideration as well, certainly.

The committee also looks into those who have backgrounds in other martial art disciplines. Are you working on or do you have experience in other fields like Judo, Wrestling, Sambo, etc?

Besides training Jiu-Jitsu for ten years, I also trained in wrestling as cross-training for numerous years. If it weren’t for Jiu-Jitsu I would have been pursuing the sport of wrestling today.

They also believe that having people from different nationalities allows for better development of the sport around the world. What other nationalities besides American do you represent?

Besides being American, I can also represent the Italian, German and Irish nationalities.

JT Torres works a single leg takedown on Augusto Tanquinho in the lightweight final of the 2012 No-gi Worlds. Photo: Ivan Trindade

Already an ADCC veteran, the 23-year-old Puerto Rican American is hoping to gain another spot in the prestigious event but this time in Beijing, China.

Jonathan ‘JT’ Thomas earned his black belt at the age of 20 and now trains under world champion Andre Galvao at his Atos HQ in San Diego, CA. JT has earned medals in both gi and no-gi which he hopes will convince the ADCC committee that he deserves another chance at ADCC gold.

We asked JT about his experience and skill level according to the standards of the ADCC committee:

GRACIEMAG: ADCC invites those who they believe have enough skill to make it to the final. What division would you be asking to enter and based on who is in that division already, what makes you believe that you can go all the way?

JT TORRES: I truly believe I can win the 77 kg ADCC division because I have gained a lot of experience these last few years as a black belt fighting and training with some of the best in the world. Along with that experience I still have the youth and hunger for victory on my side!

Have you been in ADCC before? What were your results? What has changed since the last time you were there?

Yes I fought the ADCC in 2011. I fought Clark Gracie first round and I defeated him via points. Second round I fought one of my all-time heroes Leo Vieira and lost via points. I lost the match towards the end because of my lack of experience with the ADCC rules at the time. I pulled guard with five minutes remaining which gave me a negative point and that forced me to really leave my game plan and try to score or submit him at any means possible and I ended up giving up a takedown in a good scramble. I lost 3-0. Today I feel way more seasoned and experienced to compete in a tournament such as ADCC.

If they had an invite for you but in a weight class different than what you normally fight, would you still accept?

If ADCC invited me for a weight class different than my normal weight I would probably fight only because ADCC is such a great opportunity for grapplers to compete in.

What accomplishments in no-gi do you have that could prove your skill?

I am 2 time No-Gi World Championship black belt finalist and a black belt No-Gi Pan American Champion. I am also a brown belt No-Gi World and Pan Am Champion.

If you chose the qualifications for an ADCC invite, what do you think would be necessary for all participants?

If I had to choose the qualifications for an ADCC invite, I would make it necessary for all participants to have at least medaled in a major BJJ or no-gi tournament at the brown belt or black belt level.

The committee also looks into those who have backgrounds in other martial art disciplines. Are you working on or do you have experience in other fields like Judo, Wrestling, Sambo, etc?

I actually wrestled before I started training BJJ. When I was about 12 years old I started going to wrestling Mat Clubs throughout New York and New Jersey. Even when BJJ became my main focus in life, I would still make sure to wrestle about twice a week.

They also believe that having people from different nationalities allows for better development of the sport around the world. What other nationalities besides American do you represent?

Besides representing the United States, I also represent Puerto Rico, even though PR is also part of the States. Both my parents are born and raised in Puerto Rico, so my roots run deep in PR.

Would you like to see JT in the ADCC? Let us know.

Watch JT at the 2012 No-Gi World Championship: