Saulo Ribeiro treinando com o irmão Xande durante ensaio fotográfico. Foto: Divulgação

Ser campeão mundial na faixa-preta adulto não é o último estágio na carreira de um lutador de Jiu-Jitsu, apesar de ser um dos momentos mais saborosos. Prova disso é que vários deles seguem competindo em bom nível. Afinal, o estudo das posições, as adaptações à idade e às novas técnicas jamais se encerra.

No Mundial Master 2015, a ser realizado nos dias 25 e 26 de setembro em Las Vegas, a lista oficial de inscritos traz nomes consagrados em seus tempos de adulto. O evento teve sua capacidade de atletas esgotada, por isso a festa em Vegas promete.

Entre os lutadores que têm ao menos uma medalha de ouro mundial na faixa-preta adulto guardada em casa, estão feras como o peso-pluma amazonense Gabriel Moraes (Alliance) e o peso-pena Samuel Braga (GB Texas), o superpesado Rodrigo Comprido (Brasa) e o pesadíssimo Marcio Corleta (Winner JJ) no master 1.

No master 2, Felipinho Costa (Brasa) volta aos torneios como pluma, mesma categoria do também campeão mundial Bernardo Pitel (Nova União). No pena master 2, temos a fera Carlos Lemos “Escorrega” (GB Downers Grove), e no meio-pesado Rafael “Gordinho” Lima, da Start Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Saulo Ribeiro puxa a fila do master 3, no peso pesado, assim como Roberto Traven no peso pesado master 4. Além deles, outros vários medalhistas, campeões brasileiros, ex-lutadores de MMA e donos de uma história bonita em eventos da IBJJF.

E você, vai torcer para quem? Veja a lista de inscritos, aqui.

Romulo Barral sweeps André Galvão. Photo: Ivan Trindade / GRACIEMAG

The pride of Diamantina, Brazil, Romulo Barral became a four-time world champion this past June and a member of the Jiu-Jitsu Hall of Fame.

With plenty of credentials, the black belt medium-heavyweight of Gracie Barra was invited to star in one of the superfights of the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo, which takes place November 9 and 10 in Long Beach, California.

But this won’t be just any match-up. According to information provided by the organizers, Barral’s opponent will be a world champion as well, in a fight that’s shaping up to be one of the Expo’s biggest draws.

Romulo joins the Expo’s ranks alongside the likes of Marcus Buchecha, Rodolfo Vieira and Caio Terra. In other confirmed superfights, João Miyao faces Samuel Braga, whereas Jeff Glover takes on Bruno Malfacine.

The Jiu-Jitsu Expo will offer more than ten free seminars, with Rafael and Guilherme Mendes, Ryron and Rener Gracie, and others to be announced. Idols like Rickson and Royce Gracie will also be there taking pictures and giving autographs.

To learn more about the Expo, click here.

Rominho Barral aplica a raspagem em André Galvão. Foto: Ivan Trindade/GRACIEMAG

Orgulho de Diamantina, o mineiro Romulo Barral tornou-se, em 2013, tetracampeão mundial e representante do Hall da Fama do Jiu-Jitsu.

Com credenciais de sobra, o faixa-preta meio-pesado da Gracie Barra foi convidado para protagonizar uma das superlutas da World Jiu-Jitsu Expo, 9 e 10 de novembro em Long Beach, Califórnia.

Não será, contudo, apenas mais um duelo casado. Segundo informações colhidas com os organizadores, Barral vai encarar um oponente também campeão mundial, em luta que promete ser um dos pratos principais do banquete de Jiu-Jitsu promovido por Renzo Gracie e seu staff.

Rominho se junta a outras feras confirmadas na Expo, como Marcus Buchecha, Rodolfo Vieira e Caio Terra. Entre as superlutas acertadas, João Miyao encara Samuel Braga, enquanto Jeff Glover enfrenta Bruno Malfacine.

A Jiu-Jitsu Expo prevê mais de dez seminários grátis, com Rafael e Guilherme Mendes, Ryron e Rener Gracie e outras feras a serem confirmadas. Ídolos como Rickson e Royce Gracie também garantiram presença para distribuir autógrafos e bater papo e fotos com os presentes.

Para saber mais sobre a Expo, acesse aqui.

The group picture at the Draculino seminar. Photo: Rio Pro BJJ

This past Saturday, August 3, Rio Pro BJJ academy in Beachwood, Ohio hosted Gracie Barra leader Vinicius Draculino Magalhaes. The professor of champions like black belt world champions Romulo Barral and Samuel Braga taught a seminar during his visit.

Professor Jose Dias said the seminar was “amazing.” After Draculino shared his knowledge he led a belt ceremony where seven students were promoted to blue belt and one student received their purple belt.

Congrats to the Rio Pro BJJ students. To see more information regarding this Ohio academy visit www.rioprobjj.com

The promoted students. Photo: Rio Pro BJJ

Samuel vs. Miyao

Another superfight is set for the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo 2013.

The grand event is scheduled for November 9 and 10 at the Long Beach Convention Center, in California.

Black belts João Miyao and Samuel Braga, both accomplished light-featherweights, will clash with kimono for ten minutes.

A good opportunity to check how Samuel, who launched the berimbolo in Worlds, will face the beginner Miyao, one of the talents that are revolutionizing the sport.

How do you think this war will end?

To learn more about the Jiu-Jitsu Expo, click here.

To subscribe to your favorite Jiu-Jitsu magazine, click here.

Samuel Braga foi bicampeão mundial na faixa-preta, em 2005 e 2008. Foto: Ivan Trindade

Mais uma superluta foi acertada para a World Jiu-Jitsu Expo 2013, o evento grandioso marcado para 9 e 10 de novembro no Long Beach Convention Center, na Califórnia.

Os faixas-pretas João Miyao e Samuel Braga, ambos pesos-plumas consagrados, vão se enfrentar num embate de Jiu-Jitsu, com kimono, com dez minutos de duração.

Uma boa oportunidade de conferir como Samuel, que lançou a técnica de berimbolar em Mundiais, vai lidar com o novato Miyao, um dos talentos que vem revolucionando o esporte com tal manobra.

E para você, como termina essa guerra de berimbolos?

Para saber mais sobre a Jiu-Jitsu Expo, clique aqui.

Para assinar sua revista de Jiu-Jitsu favorita com descontão e não perder a cobertura especial do evento, meta bronca aqui.

Samuel Braga em luta contra o companheiro de time Rafael Barata. Foto: Ivan Trindade

Faixa-preta de Jiu-Jitsu radicado em Knoxville, no Tennessee, Samuel Braga é mais um campeão mundial certo em Long Beach, no Mundial que começa no dia 29 de maio.

O professor da Gracie Barra foi campeão em 2005, no peso-galo, e para chegar ao ouro entre os pretas usou algumas das técnicas do arsenal hoje conhecido como berimbolo. Ele lembrou, em papo com a repórter Erin Herle, como começou a usar as técnicas e como ele vê a explosão do movimento hoje – tendo sido inclusive reportagem de capa em GRACIEMAG, em abril.

E você, vai ao Mundial? Inscreva-se aqui.

GRACIEMAG: Quando você percebeu que tinha uma técnica valiosa nas mãos?

SAMUEL BRAGA: Descobri esse golpe em 2003 quando era faixa-roxa, após notar que eu tinha dificuldade de raspar alguns oponentes quando chegava a uma certa posição. Eu estava estagnado nessa posição, e apesar de ser bem flexível o pessoal estava escapando das minhas raspagens. Eu já fazia algo similar quando era faixa-azul, mas era mais parecido com uma ida para as costas, não era o berimbolo ainda. Foi então que comecei a lapidar a manobra. Usei pela primeira vez num grande campeonato no Brasileiro, ainda na faixa-roxa, numa luta muito dura. Eu ia perder, mas no fim consegui executar o golpe. Depois disso consegui usar na final do Mundial em 2005, já na faixa-preta.

Como você vê a fama do golpe, usado hoje até por faixas-brancas?

É demais ver todo mundo usando isso, ver como o Jiu-Jitsu também evolui com o berimbolo. Acho que é apenas o começo de uma nova época.

Algum detalhe do golpe que você faz e o pessoal não percebe?

Sim, há detalhes muito importantes. O controle dos quadris por exemplo. Muitos praticantes não controlam os quadris ao deixar o gancho de fora muito baixo na posição, desperdiçando a posição. A vantagem é que, se você erra, pode se recuperar. Sempre se pode voltar para a guarda De La Riva e tentar o golpe de novo.

Como você vê a evolução do berimbolo na faixa-preta?

O golpe chegou a um ponto em que, se você não conhece o golpe, você está atrasado. Todo mundo usa, em todas as faixas. É preciso estudar ao menos para se defender. Minha dica é que todo mundo se aprofunde na técnica para saber contra-atacar ou parar o movimento. Hoje eu me amarro em assistir até mesmo caras pesados como o Marcus Buchecha e o Rodolfo Vieira, na Copa Pódio, usando o movimento e sendo bem-sucedidos nele.

Samuel Braga finishing from the berimbolo’s most desired destination. Photo: Ivan Trindade

In efforts to shed light on the berimbolo technique and in honor of our most recent print issue, #194, we give you another take on the move. The back-taking phenomenon that has recently influenced many games of competitors from white to black, is explained by GMA GB Knoxville head instructor Samuel Braga.

He recently spoke with GRACIEMAG about how he discovered the move and where he thinks it’s going. Also see the video below of examples where he has used the move in his past competitions as early as 2005.

GRACIEMAG: When did you first figure out the berimbolo move?

SAMUEL BRAGA: I figured the move out in 2003 as a purple belt, after struggling to sweep from the back step as people were avoiding my back step sweep.  I was getting stuck in that position while inverted as I’m really flexible. I was using a similar move as a blue belt, but it was more like taking the back. It was not the berimbolo yet.

What was the most memorable time you implemented it in competition?

Most memorable time was at the Brazilian Nationals as a purple belt in a really tough match. I thought I was going to lose it, but towards the end I got the move. After that it was the 2005 finals at worlds for sure as a black belt.

What do you think of the viral hype around the move today with even white belts using the technique?

I think it’s amazing seeing everyone using it and how much Jiu-Jitsu is envolving with the berimbolo. I think it is just the beginning for a new trend.

Are there pieces of the move everyone is missing out on? If so, what is missing?

I think people are missing some details that can be really important. Hip control for one. A lot of people are not controlling the hips by letting their outside hook get too low on the position so they usually miss it. But if they miss the move once then it is like a cycle. They can always go back to De La Riva and pull the move again.

What do you think of its evolution to the larger black belt divisions recently?

I think it is starting to evolve to a point that all the belts are using it. If you don’t know the move, you are behind. At least have a deep understanding to try to counter or stop the move. It’s amazing watching even heavyweights and guys like Buchecha using the move and being good at it.

For more information regarding Samuel Braga and his GMA academy in Knoxville, TN please visit www.samuelbragabjj.com and more information from him about the berimbolo and his DVD you can click here.

GRACIEMAG.com gathered some New Year’s resolutions from some of the most inspiring people in the art of Jiu-Jitsu.

A new year is not the only time to make changes or set goals for yourself, but it helps when many people are focused on their destinations in life at the same time. You should always be working towards bettering yourself, bettering your Jiu-Jitsu and bettering your life but a fresh start helps to build the momentum.

Hopefully the high goals from esteemed athletes such as these will help put into perspective that everyone has New Year’s resolutions, big and small, but only the most driven will accomplish them.

Andre Galvao: “I want to get my team stronger and I would like to win my ADCC superfight.”

Robert Drysdale: “I plan on keep fighting, growing the gym’s membership, training my students to even better results and bettering our affiliate program!”

Mendes Brothers: “Our goal for 2013 is the same of every year: ‘Do our best to be the best’ and we are ready to put in a lot of work and have great results. This past year was an amazing year for us, we achieved our third world title in the black belt division and we opened the academy of our dreams in California. It’s time to keep up this hard work and chase more.”

Felipe Pena: “My goal for 2013 I think is pretty much the same of all the competitors. I will go 100% for the biggest tournaments starting with Copa Podio and after that I will compete at Pan ams, Brazilian Nationals and the World Championship!”

Bruno Bastos: “As a fighter: Win IBJJF Mundials and ADCC Worlds. As a coach: Help nova Uniao to be on the podium at IBJJF Mundials again.”

Fernando Terere: “My resolution for 2013 is to train a lot for the competitions and focus on doing camps and seminar workshops in Europe.”

Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles: “My New Year’s resolution is to make my students champions not just inside the mat, but also in life. That is my main goal for next year.”

DJ Jackson: “My New Year’s resolution is to Grand Slam at black belt.”

Samuel Braga: “My personal goals are to improve my life by being more disciplined and focused on my goals without distraction as well as to be more patient to achieve my goals. I want to compete as much as I can this year and grow my school.”

Luiza Monteiro: “What I want more than anything is to be a world champion with the gi. This year I want to focus on gi tournaments like Pan Ams, Brazilian Nationals, Abu Dhabi World Pro and gi World Championship, which are most important for me.”

Victor Estima: “My New Year’s resolution is to focus more on my competitions. Since my school is established, I will be spending more time with my teammates, which means I will be able to give 100%. I want to be as good as I can possibly be for Abu Dhabi World Pro, Worlds and ADCC.”

What are your goals and resolutions? Let us know in the comments below!

Samuel Braga versus Laercio Fernandes at 2012 World Championships / Photo by John Cooper

Tomorrow at 3pm PST marks the beginning of the first IBJJ Pro League ever. Offering athletes a chance to fight for $5,000 is one thing, combining weight classes is another. Although many of the athletes in their categories have gone against each other many times before, there are still chances for some new or rare match-ups.

As an update, Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles Maciel has dropped out of the competition due to injury and Oliver Geddes, Roger Gracie black belt and the only European competitor invited, will be taking his place.

The story of Oliver Geddes’ invitation lands itself in an email spam folder. Oliver Geddes had already been invited, but the window of opportunity was small given that he had about one day to confirm his attendance. The important email just so happened to land in his spam/junk folder of his email server and the opportunity passed him by without him realizing until it was too late.

Oliver Geddes at 2012 World Championships / Photo by John Cooper

For the driven competitor who resides in London, England, Oliver was ready to jump on a plane last minute for the chance to compete in a division stacked with high level competitors so despite his situation, he pushed to make sure the IBJJF knew he was ready to go. He finally confirmed a spot late Wednesday night, leaving him 3 days to arrive in Long Beach, CA. Oliver is currently on his way to the states despite nine hour long delays, but will be ready to compete come 3pm Saturday.

Another change has been made in regards to the 2012 IBJJF Long Beach Fall Open in the black belt light feather weight category. Samuel Braga is signed up to compete and the competitor sheet listed Samir Chantre as his opponent however Samir is already confirmed in the IBJJ Pro League in the weight category up to 167.5 pounds. The rules state that if you win your weight division in the Fall Open that same day, you enter into the appropriate Pro League division. With the light feather division confirming a spot in the weight division up to 141 pounds, it would leave Samir in two categories for the Pro League, which is not allowed. So, with Samir out of the Fall Open and Samuel winning his light feather division by default, he will now be confirmed in the Pro League along side the names of Laercio Fernandes, Caio Terra, Rafael Freitas and more– athletes he knows quite well.

Come down to the Long Beach Walter Pyramid and enjoy a full day of high-level BJJ or watch the live stream for free at www.ibjjftv.com

Check out this video interview with Gracie Barra Knoxville’s Samuel Braga. No stranger to competition, Samuel arrived at Romulo Barral’s Gracie Barra Northridge last night to spend the next days preparing for his match at the 2012 IBJJF Long Beach Fall Open, this Saturday December 8.

Although unexpected, GRACIEMAG.com was able to get a few questions answered by the light featherweight berimbolo ace, about how he has prepared, what he expects, and how he plans to deal with fighting his teammates should the opportunity arise.

For more information on the Long Beach Fall Open, visit www.ibjjf.org

For the schedule, visit: www.ibjjf.org/longbeachfall2012schedule.htm