Fabbio Passos ajusta o estrangulamento em Milton, na final dos plumas. Foto: Ivan Trindade/ GRACIEMAG

Como se fosse mais um dia de treino, Fabbio Passos venceu o American Nationals de Jiu-Jitsu, em Carson, Califórnia, no último sábado. Para manter o título do ano passado, o faixa-preta da Alliance precisou vencer Milton Nascimento (Paragon) por 4 a 2 na final dos plumas.

Fabbio vê as competições apenas como o melhor método de evoluir, e quando não sai com o ouro, ele simplesmente volta para a academia para rever o que errou, sem sentimentos negativos.

O faixa-preta falou sobre esta mentalidade ao lutar e outros assuntos, na entrevista a seguir.

Você treina com o Rubens Charles “Cobrinha”, na Alliance em Los Angeles. O que tem aprendido com o tetracampeão mundial de Jiu-Jitsu?

FABBIO PASSOS: Cobrinha é um modelo para o Jiu-Jitsu. Nunca vi ninguém como ele, tanto como atleta, professor e pessoa. Tecnicamente aprendi com o Cobrinha a fazer bem o leg-laço, a guarda De La Riva e a guarda-aranha. O Jiu-Jitsu dele é extraterreno. E a parte psicológica e o estilo de vida também vêm no pacote. Ele reforça a importância de ser positivo sempre, e não mandar pensamentos ruins para abarrotar o cérebro. O macete é a dedicação e comprometimento com tudo o que você faz na vida.

Como foi este bicampeonato no American Nationals 2013, e a final com o Milton Nascimento (Paragon)?

Costumo lutar entre os galos e fiquei bem leve entre os plumas, mas não senti diferença. Estava bem preparado. Milton é muito inteligente. No começo, tentei uma queda para começar na frente, mas não deram os pontos. Ele então foi rápido e me raspou, passando a administrar o placar. Precisei botar a cabeça no lugar para voltar ao ataque. Foi assim que cheguei às costas, mas ele defendeu. Entrei no estrangulamento rodado e caí nos cem-quilos, colocando o joelho na barriga. Com o estrangulamento encaixado, Milton foi para fora e o juiz deu os dois pontos, 4 a 2 para mim.

Como você lida com a derrota, quando a medalha de ouro não vem?

Ganhando ou perdendo, no dia seguinte estou na academia ajustando os erros e treinando. Minha dica é manter a mente aberta para aprender sempre. A vitória é consequência de um trabalho, e com paciência os resultados virão. A competição é apenas mais um dia de Jiu-Jitsu, onde eu procuro botar o que treinei em prática. Não desista, trabalhe duro e com dedicação, e os frutos virão.

Bruno Malfacine in one of his wins. Photo: Ivan Trindade.

On November 9 and 10, Long Beach, California, will host the second World Jiu-Jitsu Expo, the super-event launched by Renzo Gracie last year.

And the first big attractions are already being announced. Organizers confirmed to GRACIEMAG this Tuesday the first Jiu-Jitsu superfight of the Expo – a no-gi match between a Brazilian star and a Californian idol.

The Brazilian black-belt is five-time world champion Bruno Malfacine, a roosterweight from Alliance. His opponent is Paragon’s Jeff Glover.

Malfacine talked about the no-gi challenge, which will play out under the rules of the IBJJF NoGi Worlds: “It’s an honor to be a part of this event. I had the privilege of visiting the Expo last year and watch the superfights, and I really wanted to be competing there. I’m happy with the invite and I’m going to train a lot in order to perform at the level expected in an event such as this,” said the sitting world roosterweight vice-champion before going on to praise Glover. “I’m already excited about the fight, I’ve always watched Jeff Glover in action and he is a true showman, as well as a great guy. I saw some of his ADCC matches and even his Expo 2012 fight, and I’m sure we’ll produce an exciting fight,” says Malfacine.

Besides fights, free seminars and the presence of the biggest BJJ brands and schools, the Expo will also feature several personalities of the sport. Rickson and Royce Gracie, for example, have been confirmed for two afternoons of autographs at the Long Beach Convention Center.

Come back to GRACIEMAG.com for first-hand news on the Expo such as the other superfights, as well as seminars and much more.

To make sure you can get in, visit the Jiu-Jitsu Expo website, here.

If you want to expose your brand during the Expo, find out how here.

This Sunday, June 30, GMA member Marcos Torregrosa will host Paragon black belt Milton Bastos at his Sacramento, CA academy, Yemaso Jiu-Jitsu, starting at 10 a.m. Milton is most known for his constant competition schedule and his dedication to teaching at all of Paragon BJJ’s affiliate academies along the California Coast. Since 2009 he has acted as a substitute teacher when needed and teaches whenever and wherever necessary. Check out an article on GRACIEMAG about his teaching tips.

The cost will be $40 for pre-register and $50 at the door. The location is 5591 Sky Park Way Unit 401, Sacramento, CA 95823.

For more information and to reserve your spot visit www.YemasoBJJ.com or call (916) 768-1366.

Bill Cooper teaches an armlock technique

William Cooper almost never uses his real name.

He is best known as Bill “The Grill” Cooper, one of the most acomplished American black belts of his generation.

Recently, he was on the cover of GracieMag #190, teaching the Armlock Dossier.

Here is Bill again, now in video, teaching one of the techniques featured in the printed magazine.

Watch closely and learn how to get an armlock using a basic kimura grip.

Don’t miss the IBJJF Houston Open! Registration ends Feb 8 at www.ibjjf.org!

The IBJJF Houston Open has been the place to be in February since 2010. Big names from all over, at every belt level travel to the lone star state for IBJJF’s annual competition.

In previous years, the names we saw were from multiple teams, as the Texas land and surrounding states hold hubs for many. In the past years we’ve seen the competition flooded by Andre Galvao, Mendes Bros, Pablo Silva, Justin Rader, Bill Cooper, JT Torres, Jimmy Harbison, Stephen Hall, Bruno Bastos, Danny Alvarez, Ryan Hall and more.

Because of the growing Jiu-Jitsu community in Texas and their many teams, we can expect even more attendees to face off for the Houston Open title. Already confirmed are competitors stemming from Lovato Jiu-Jitsu, Paragon, Gracie Barra, Alliance, GF Team, Soul Fighters, Nova Uniao, Lloyd Irvin, Carlson Gracie, BJJ Revolution to name a few!

Will you be one of them?

The tournament will be held on February 16-17 at Jerabeck Activity and Athletic Center: 3800 Montrose Boulevard  Houston TX, 77006.

Registration ends on February 8 and you can register at www.ibjjf.org.

Stay tuned for more information regarding schedule and brackets! Hope to see you there.

Milton happily teaching at a Paragon affiliate / Photo by Erin Herle

More often than not, a black belt competitor has two roles: competing and teaching. The two roles are very commonly associated with one another as the ability to train full-time is a luxury that few can afford. In order to financially support themselves and extend their own training they teach at either their own or an affiliate’s academy. If you are teaching Jiu-Jitsu, it not only gives you opportunities to train but also to learn– a common notion supported by athletes like Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles Maciel and Ryron Gracie.

“I like teaching more than competing,” says Milton Bastos, a black belt competitor who grew his name when he won his adult division at the 2009 No-Gi World Championships as a brown belt. The championship was not just a major win for him at the time but it also ended his 8-year break from Jiu-Jitsu. After Milton received his brown belt, he quit training Jiu-Jitsu in 2001 to seek out grappling in another realm– wrestling. He remained in that sport, competing and teaching some of the top guys in Jiu-Jitsu like Fabbio Passos who cross-trained with Milton. In 2009, Fabbio urged Milton to return to BJJ competition and tag along with him to the No-Gi Worlds in Long Beach, CA baiting him with a trip to the states as well as a chance to use his wrestling for Jiu-Jitsu gold. Milton agreed and won every match to the top of the podium; he pulled guard in every match.

After the tournament he made connections with GMA member Ricardo “Franjinha” Miller, head of the Paragon team and began teaching at the Ventura academy shortly thereafter when Fabbio visited Brazil. He has stayed ever since, becoming one of the busiest professors around. Although, don’t tell him I called him that due to his insistence that you just call him by his first name.

Milton training with a student / Photo by Erin Herle

Today, Milton can be found up and down the west coast at any of Paragon’s affiliate academies given that he acts as a substitute teacher. Normally a main instructor at the academy in Ventura, he willingly drives as far north as Santa Maria or as far south as Hollywood to fill in as a teacher should one be needed. It was at the Hollywood affiliation where I was able to sit down with Milton and talk about his love, style and advice for teaching.

“I’ve been teaching since I was fourteen years old. I was a green belt teaching kids classes,” says the now 30-year-old. Milton is a playful guy that makes sure his classes are fun and he is seen more as a friend than a dictator. His main influence was Leo “Leozinho” Vieira whom Milton trained under for some time.

As a way to further his teaching ability, he tries to learn every style out there. In order to do so, he willingly trains at other academies like GMA members Caio Terra’s Institute of Martial Arts in San Jose, CA and Romulo Barral’s Gracie Barra Northridge in Northridge, CA. “Franjinha encourages me to seek out training in other gyms so that I can better teach the students about different styles,” he claims. Beyond that, Milton makes coaching a large priority and enjoys seeing his students win more than he enjoys winning himself!

In this list of advice, Milton offers tips to better your teaching abilities:

• Make class fun. Incorporate games, music, jokes. Be playful with your students and be less formal. You can still gain respect from your students without being serious all of the time.
• Have an open mind. Try to learn everything to be able to teach your students all the different styles out there. Visit other academies and/or train with other people. Don’t think that you own Jiu-Jitsu. Don’t be afraid to branch out to other styles of grappling, either, such as judo and wrestling.
• You don’t own your students. Be on their level and be friends with them. Should a student leave your academy, respect their decision.

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GRACIEMAG.com was present in Hollywood, CA on Saturday for a noon No-Gi training session with Paragon’s Milton Bastos. A light featherweight champion in No-Gi as well as a long-time wrestler, Milton has many moves to show sans kimono.

He normally teaches with his professor, Ricardo “Franjinha” Miller in Ventura, CA but travels along the coast often as a substitute teacher of sorts. This time he found himself at the academy located most south of headquarters, giving you an exclusive look at an old school technique.

Here, Milton teaches a guard pass when you have taken your opponent down, or are entering their guard, and you are locked in half guard. This type of pass is used when your opponent is very strong.

Caio Terra playing guard against Jeff Glover at the Jiu-Jitsu Expo last May in California / Photo by John Cooper

GRACIEMAG: On the coming 14th, at San Diego, California event Metamoris Pro, you’ll be in one of the supermatches people are most looking forward to, for being between two light athletes with nimble and finishing games. What are the dangers Jeff Glover brings to a match where points and advantage points don’t count?

CAIO TERRA: Jeff has a game that can catch you by surprise. He does the most improbable things. I slipped up last time, at the 2012 World Jiu-Jitsu Expo. I thought I’d won the match and got lured into his game. I got too relaxed. But this time I’ll be a lot more serious. I’m going to fight to put on a show for the spectators, of course, but I’ll be wiser to his little tricks.

Physical conditioning may make a difference in a 20-minute match between guys of such a high level. How are you preparing for that?

I’m doing my physical conditioning with Corey Beasley, one of the best personal trainers in California. I don’t much like lifting weights, so I’m working the gas. Three times a week I do quick movements and work with ropes and Versa Climber equipment, which works the endurance really hard and pushes the heart rate to the limit. It’s like climbing stairs with your hands in the air the whole time—the heart’s forced to work even harder to get blood throughout the whole body, since the arms aren’t relaxed and on top of that are up high, making it even harder for the blood to get to the hands. I rotate that with rope-work exercises where I work grips and keep my heart rate up there. It’s an excellent workout. Now, my Jiu-Jitsu training is planned by Itallo Vilardo, who’s famous among competitors in Brazil. Itallo has a great understanding of conditioning for Jiu-Jitsu, since he’s a whiz in the field and a black belt to boot.

At the start of the last match between you two, at the Jiu-Jitsu Expo, he turned his back on you. Is there some kind of bad blood between you?

Not in the least. The truth is that, at the time, I was training with my friend Denny Prokopos and he warned me he could do something like that. Jeff sometimes disrespects his opponents with some of his antics, but I feel he’s just good at promoting the sport, especially supermatches. There are folks who love the guy, want to watch every match he’s in, and that’s a good thing. There are also those who hate him, but even those guys want to watch him fight, even if just to root against him. There’s no doubt he’s a big draw.

He said that, with these rules, you don’t stand a chance of beating him…

He’s nuts. Look, these rules may favor a guy with his style, being a flexible guy and thus hard to tap out. What he must not have done is seen my matches. I’ve seen a bunch of his, and he rarely gets finished. But how many guys have finished me?! I do almost ten events each year, and I always pick the toughest ones. He just has to be careful not to start believing his own trash talk, otherwise he’ll end up crazy like Chael. Look, these rules also favor my Jiu-Jitsu, and just like the first time we faced each other, I think I’ll manage to dominate him from start to finish. I’ll be keener this time around.

You weigh 60 kg (132 lbs), so he has a 15 kg (33 lbs) advantage over you. Will weight make a difference? Can technique overcome weight more easily in a 20-minute match?

Keep in mind, the match is set for 70 kg (155 lbs); but he may well weigh in the day before and recover five kilos. I think even in one minute weight makes a difference. But technique should always prevail over weight. Jeff’s a technical fighter. If he beats me, it’ll probably be on technique, not strength. Strength can prevail over some techniques, but normally the win comes via technique, when a fighter exploits some aspect the other isn’t mastering perfectly. I like competing against the big guys to see what I’m doing well and where I need to improve.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TumzKpBC9zs

How do you feel about this match? Any pressure or anxiousness?

No, I just want to have a good fight and entertain everyone who goes to watch the event. This event may be the first of many to come. We competitors need events like this one. Our sport is still far from becoming professional, but the efforts of the IBJJF in starting to pay [December IBJJ Pro event] and events with supermatches like Metamoris can add a lot and evolve into a new method. Who knows? Maybe one day the athletes will be able to just train and leave teaching seminars and classes for when they retire. For that to happen, though, we need to put on a good show so the audience likes it and supports the next tournaments to come.

What is it that really motivates you to take on the big guys?

I think I was always the lightest guy in the academy. I’m used to training with heavier guys. I strive to demonstrate for the little students that Jiu-Jitsu’s the only martial art where the weak can indeed overcome guys who are stronger and heavier, even if they’re at a similar technical level. When I was a beginner I really thought about quitting, so I like inspiring the guys to carry on. These days, we’re seeing the Miyao brothers and other lighter athletes winning absolutes, so I feel it’s important to do a good job representing the little guys.

Is there some secret or special technique for beating guys 20 kilos (44 lbs) heavier than you?

There’s no magic to it. You’ve just got to study positions and train a lot. So many folks want some shortcut to get better but it’s just like at school: there’s no easy route. You have to study to pass. Piddling around won’t get you to the top; at some point it’ll catch up to you. If you train consistently and study Jiu-Jitsu in depth, you’ll evolve. The only thing you can say for sure is that no one ever beats heavier guys just by becoming stronger. It’s technique that overcomes opponents.

Who have you been training Jiu-Jitsu with for you match with Glover?

I train every day with Flavio Meier, a black belt who teaches at my academy in San Jose. He has a very similar game to Jeff’s. I also train with my students and a bunch of black belts, like Augusto “Queixinho”, Samir Chantre, Leopoldo Serão, Sergio Santos, Jeff Gallioto, Carlos Melo, etc. Some of my black belt buddies aren’t training in the gi with me because it’s No-Gi season here in the USA. Still my camp has been really productive. I want to take the opportunity to thank all my students, because Jiu-Jitsu’s an individual sport yet victory comes from the group; no one wins on their own. Thanks also goes out to my coaches and to Gameness, clothing brand Amerikaz, and Versa Climber for all their help.

Caio Terra faz guarda contra Jeff Glover, na Jiu-Jitsu Expo de maio, na Califórnia. Foto: John Cooper

GRACIEMAG: No próximo dia 14, no Metamoris Pro em San Diego, vocês fazem uma das superlutas mais aguardadas, por serem dois pesos leves dotados de um jogo ágil e finalizador. Que perigos Jeff Glover oferece a você numa luta sem ponto nem vantagem?

CAIO TERRA: O Jeff é um cara que joga para surpreender. Ele faz o mais improvável. Dei mole na última vez, na superluta da World Jiu-Jitsu Expo 2012, achei que a luta estava ganha e entrei no jogo dele. Relaxei demais, mas desta vez vou entrar bem mais sério. Vou lutar para dar um show para os espectadores, claro, mas vou estar mais ligado nas brincadeiras dele.

 O preparo físico pode fazer a diferença numa luta de 20 minutos, entre caras de altíssimo nível técnico. Como você está se preparando?

Estou fazendo minha preparação física com o Corey Beasley, um dos melhores personal trainers da Califórnia. Não gosto muito de levantar peso então estou só puxando o gás mesmo. Três vezes por semana eu faço movimentos rápidos e um trabalho com cordas e com o equipamento Versa Climber, que puxa bastante o gás e trabalha o batimento cardíaco no limite. É como subir escadas com as mãos sempre para o alto – o coração é obrigado a trabalhar mais para mandar sangue para o corpo todo, já que seus braços não estão relaxados e ainda estão elevados, dificultando que o sangue chegue nas mãos. Intercalo isso com um trabalho de cordas onde trabalho as pegadas e mantenho os batimentos lá no alto, é um treino excelente. Já meus treinos de Jiu-Jitsu foram programados pelo Itallo Vilardo, famoso entre os competidores no Brasil. O Itallo entende muito de preparação para Jiu-Jitsu, pois é uma fera na área e é faixa-preta também.

No começo da última luta entre vocês, na Jiu-Jitsu Expo, ele virou de costas para você. Ficou alguma rusga ainda entre vocês?

De jeito nenhum, na verdade para aquela luta eu estava treinando com meu amigo Denny Prokopos e ele já tinha me alertado que ele poderia mais uma vez fazer isso. O Jeff por vezes acaba desrespeitando os adversários com algumas brincadeiras, mas eu acho que ele é um cara bom para promover o esporte, principalmente em lutas casadas. Tem gente que ama o cara, quer assistir a todas as lutas dele e isso é bom. Também tem gente que o odeia, mas esses também querem ver suas lutas, mesmo que seja apenas para torcer contra. Ele sem dúvida atrai público.

Ele disse que, com essas regras, você não tem chance de vencê-lo…

Maluquice dele. Olha, essas regras podem até favorecer o estilo dele, que é um cara bem flexível e por isso difícil de pegar. O que ele não deve ter feito é visto minhas lutas. Vi algumas dele, e raramente ele é finalizado. Mas quantos caras me finalizaram?! Luto quase dez eventos por ano, e sempre escolho os mais difíceis. Mas o Jeff é assim mesmo, um cara engraçado, me lembra muito o Chael Sonnen. Só tem que tomar cuidado para não acabar acreditando nas besteiras que fala, senão vai acabar maluco igual o Chael. Olha, essas regras também favorecem meu Jiu-Jitsu, e assim como em nossa primeira luta acredito que conseguirei dominá-lo do começo ao fim. Vou estar mais atento.

Você está com 60kg, então há uma diferença entre vocês de quase 15kg. O peso vai fazer diferença? A técnica pode vencer a balança mais facilmente numa luta de 20 minutos?

Lembro que a luta está marcada para 70kg, mas realmente ele pode pesar no dia anterior e recuperar os cinco quilos. Acho que até em um minuto o peso faz diferença. Mas a técnica deve sempre prevalecer contra a força e o peso. Jeff é um lutador técnico. Caso ele me vença, será provavelmente na técnica, não na força. A força pode até prevalecer sobre algumas técnicas, mas normalmente a vitória se dá pelo caminho técnico, quando um lutador explora um aspecto que o outro não está dominando perfeitamente. Gosto de lutar com os grandões para ver o que estou fazendo bem e o que preciso melhorar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TumzKpBC9zs

Qual é seu sentimento antes da luta? Alguma pressão ou ansiedade?

Não, quero apenas fazer uma boa luta e agradar a todos que vão prestigiar o evento. Esse evento pode ser o primeiro de muitos a ser realizados. Nós competidores precisamos de eventos como esse. Nosso esporte ainda está um pouco longe de se tornar profissional, mas essas iniciativas da IBJJF em começar a pagar (IBJJ Pro, em dezembro) e eventos de lutas casadas como o Metamoris podem acrescentar muito e desenvolver um novo método. Quem sabe um dia os atletas possam se dedicar apenas aos treinos, e a deixar seminários e aulas apenas para quando se aposentarem. Para que isso aconteça, precisamos nos apresentar bem e que o publico goste e apoie os próximos torneios.

O que te motiva realmente para lutar com caras mais pesados, os grandões como você diz?

Acho que como sempre fui o cara mais leve da academia, estou acostumado a treinar com caras mais pesados. Procuro mostrar especialmente aos alunos levinhos que o Jiu-Jitsu é a única arte marcial em que o mais fraco pode de fato vencer o mais forte e mais pesado, mesmo que o nível técnico entre eles seja parecido. Quando iniciante eu pensei muito em desistir, então gosto de inspirar o pessoal a continuar. Hoje você vê os irmãos Miyao e vários outros atletas mais leves ganhando absolutos, então acho importante representar bem os magrinhos.

Há algum segredo ou técnica especial para vencer caras 20 quilos mais pesado que você?

Não existe mágica, apenas estudo de posições e bastante treino. Muita gente quer sempre um atalho para melhorarem, mas é igual na escola, não tem caminho mais fácil. Você precisa estudar para passar de ano, trapacear não vai leva ninguém ao topo, e uma hora ou outra você será pego. Se você treinar consistentemente e estudar Jiu-Jitsu a fundo, a evolução vem. A única coisa certa é que ninguém vence caras mais pesado apenas por ficar mais forte. É a técnica que supera os oponentes.

Com quem você tem treinado Jiu-Jitsu para a luta com Glover?

Treino todos os dias com o Flavio Meier, faixa-preta que dá aulas na minha academia em San Jose. Ele tem um jogo muito parecido com o do Jeff. Também treino com meus alunos e a galera faixa-preta, como Augusto “Queixinho”, Samir Chantre, Leopoldo Serão, Sergio Santos, Jeff Gallioto, Carlos Melo etc. Alguns dos meus companheiros faixas-pretas não estão treinando comigo de pano porque estamos na temporada sem kimono aqui nos EUA, mas no geral meu camp tem sido muito produtivo. Queria aproveitar e agradecer a todos os meus alunos, pois o Jiu-Jitsu é um esporte individual, mas a vitória é do grupo, ninguém consegue vencer ninguém sozinho. Obrigado aos meus preparadores e à Gameness, à marca de roupas “Amerikaz” e à Versa Climber por toda ajuda.

Kyra Gracie pressuring for the pass on her way to under-60kg title at at ADCC 2011 Photo: John Lamonica/GRACIEMAG.com

The good news keeps coming for the Jiu-Jitsu fans with a chance at checking out the inaugural World Jiu-Jitsu Expo this coming May 12 in Long Beach, California. This 1st of May two more supermatches were added to the program—with two fair-faced grappling aces and two wizards of the gi.

Kyra Gracie, a sport Jiu-Jitsu star decorated many times over and three-time ADCC champion, will shed her gi yet again to take on Alexis Davis, a fighter on the Strikeforce roster trained by Cesar Gracie.

(Check out the Jiu-Jitsu brown belt in action against Amanda Nunes.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7IYTaN9yTo

Now in sport Jiu-Jitsu, with the gi, the veteran Nino “Elvis” Schembri will be making his return against the no-less-dazzling Bill Cooper, a bout that wouldn’t surprise this journalist if it ends 65 to 61 for either one of the two stars.

Also on the menu for the Jiu-Jitsu Expo, the IBJJF Special Spring Tournament promises heaps of action. Already confirmed for the competition are fighters the likes of Otávio Sousa, the winner of the NY Open absolute division, as well as Rodrigo Simões, Gustavo “Sirizinho”, Ricardo “Franjinha”, Magid Hage and plenty of others.

You can sign up easily by clicking here and getting in on this gentle-art fest in California. But you need to be quick, as sign-ups end this Friday.