Marcus Buchecha

The 2015 ADCC will be the gathering of some of the best grappling athletes from around the world.

It is a sure thing that all seven divisions and the two superfights will feature thrilling matches to please the crowd.

Nevertheless, the list of absent names also makes an impressive roster.

Here are the main names not competing for various reasons.

Of course, there are many other names that could be on the list, but we highlighted the most well known of them.

Male

-66kg

Rafael Mendes

Rafael Mendes: Two-time ADCC champion (2009, 2011), Rafael Mendes announced a few months ago the decision of not competing in São Paulo to devote more time for his family and the AOJ academy. The decision took away the opportunity of seeing a very probable fourth final match between Mendes and Cobrinha.

João Miyao: He was in until a week ago. Then, he called the ADCC and told them he would not be competing in São Paulo. According to the event staff, João gave no reason for the withdrawal. As he signed in for the IBJJF Santa Cruz Pro, scheduled on the same day of the ADCC, it seems he’s not injured, but only chose one competition over the other.

Mikey Musumeci: Recently promoted to the black belt, Musumeci had a newsworthy debut in the ranking when he defeated João Miyao at the IBJJF American Nationals, roughly two months ago. An online campaign ensued in favor of Musumeci’s name to replace João Miyao, but the ADCC eventually decided to name Alexandre Vieira for the spot.

Paulo Miyao: João’s brother could be his replacement, but that was not the case. It would have been Paulo’s first appearance at the ADCC.

-77kg

Kron Gracie

Kron Gracie: The 2013 champion is now focusing on his MMA career. After a successful debut on December 2014, the son of Rickson Gracie is still waiting for his next challenge. In the meantime, he chose not to compete in grappling events.

Marcelo Garcia: Ok, the four-time ADCC champion (2003, 2005, 2007, 2011) did not compete in 2013, but as the event will be in the same venue he made his first major appearance, back in 2003, there was the hope he would come back one more time. As it seems, it will not be case.

Leo Vieira: Two-time ADCC champion in the -66kg division (2003, 2005), Vieira would be making his ninth straight appearance in 2015 if he was in the roster, as he’s been competing since 2000. Unfortunately, this time he’s not on the list.

Leandro Lo: The four-time world champion did not compete in the Brazilian trials or got invited. Therefore, he’s not competing in São Paulo. It’s for sure one of the biggest absences at the 2015 ADCC.

Magid Hage IV: The Gorilla Hands would also be a fun athlete to watch in São Paulo. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the invitation after JT Torres’ withdrawal this weekend.

Michael Langhi: The current lightweight world champion is another big name not competing in São Paulo. At least, his teammate Lucas Lepri will be there representing Alliance.

JT Torres: A bronze medalist in 2013, JT was all ready to go until this Saturday, when he had to make the tough decision to drop out due to an undisclosed injury sustained at the training camp for the 2015 Worlds.

-88kg

Tim Spriggs

Tim Spriggs: The talented black belt from Lloyd Irvin Team even made a direct plea for the ADCC to get the invitation after he won the Five Grappling Super League at the beginning of August. Unfortunately, it was to no avail and we’ll have to wait two more years to see Spriggs in the ADCC.

Rousimar Palhares: Toquinho is once again under a lot of heat for holding on to a submission for too long after the tap. He lost his WSOF belt recently after a controversial fight against Jake Shields. Nevertheless, few would argue that Toquinho and his crazy heel hooks wouldn’t be an amazing attraction for the ADCC.

Lucas Leite: The 2014 IBJJF World No-Gi champion in the heavyweight division deserved an invitation. It would be great to see Leite competing for his home crowd of São Paulo and putting his half guard game to work.

Braulio Estima: The 2009 -88kg and open class champion and 2011 superfight champion is not on the roster. A shoulder injury before the 2015 WPJJC, in April, sidelined Estima for the rest of the season.

-99kg

Leo Nogueira

Leonardo Nogueira: Injured on his left arm at the 2015 Worlds, Leo Nogueira is still out of commission. A bronze medalist in 2013, his absence will be missed in São Paulo for sure.

Luiz Panza: Another Checkmat star sidelined by injury. In Panza’s case, a scary double fracture on his right leg at the 2015 WPJJC ended his chances of competing in his first ADCC.

Mahamed Aly: The 2015 brown belt open class world champion, owner of a exciting and aggressive style, would be a sight to be seen in São Paulo.

+99kg 

Alex Trans

Marcus Buchecha: Probably the biggest name not competing in São Paulo, Buchecha was another victim of a serious injury leading up to the ADCC. The ACL on his left knee needed surgery to be reconstructed after the 2015 Worlds and at least 5 months for recovery.

Alex Trans: The Dane was also victim of a knee injury at the 2015 Worlds and had to go under surgery to fix it. As a result, he should only come back to competitions in 2016.

Abraham Marte: The Dominican’s presence would be a certainty of exciting moments in São Paulo.

Female

-60kg

Luiza Monteiro

Luiza Monteiro: The current world champion both with and without the gi in the middleweight division, Luiza would be a obvious choice for the roster. Another invitation that never came.

Luanna Alzuguir: A silver medalist in 2013, Luanna is not on the roster for 2015. She would be a great addition to the roster competing in her hometown of São Paulo.

Monique Elias: An up and coming talent, the 2015 Worlds black belt open class runner up would be another name to make the female division even more exciting. Monique went through an undisclosed surgery recently so she was not really ready for her first ADCC in 2015.

+60kg

Dominyka Obelenyte

Dominyka Obelenyte: The 2015 black belt open class world champion was another name that deserved to be competing in São Paulo this next weekend. Well, as she’s only 20 years old, the 2017 ADCC will have to be the setting for her first appearance.

Talita Nogueira: Another big name sidelined due to injury, Talita went through knee surgery recently and could not compete in São Paulo.

Tammy Griego: Bronze medalist in 2013, Tammy is not on the roster for São Paulo. She would make the division even more interesting.

Unless another athlete withdraws due to injury or any other reason, the list of athletes for the 2015 ADCC is complete at this moment.

Jiu-Jitsu black belt and UFC fighter Milton Vieira was announced this Monday as the replacement for JT Torres in the -77kg division.

Milton Vieira competed in the -77kg division at the 2007 and 2009 editions of the ADCC, and could not make past the first round in either occasions.

This was the last spot in all seven weight division for the event that takes place this weekend in São Paulo, Brazil.

Here is the full list of athletes:

Male -66 kg

1. Rubens Charles “Cobrinha” – Brazil (ADCC 2013 Winner)
2. Asadulaev Surkhay – Russia (1st European Trials Winner)
3. Nicolas Renier – France (2nd European Trials Winner)
4. Tezekbaev Rasul – Kyrgyzstan (1st Asia & Oceania Trials Winner)
5. Yuto Hirao – Japan (2nd Asia & Oceania Trials Winner)
6. Geovanny Martinez – USA (1st North American Trials Winner)
7. Edward Cummings – USA (2nd North American Trials Winner)
8. Renan Sancar Santos – Brazil (1st South American Trials Winner)
9. Gabriel Marangoni – Brazil (2nd South American Trials Winner)
10. Jeff Glover – USA (Invited)
11. Augusto Mendes – Brazil (Invited)
12. Justin Rader – USA (Invited)
13. Bruno Frazatto – Brazil (Invited)
14. Gianni Grippo – USA (Invited)
15. Mark Ramos – USA (Invited)
16. Alexandre Vieira – Brazil (Invited)

Male -77 kg

1. Gamrot Mateusz – Poland (1st European Trials Winner)
2. Abdulkadirov Magomed – Russia (2nd European Trials Winner)
3. Lachlan Giles – Australia (1st Asia & Oceania Trials Winner)
4. Young-am Noh – Korea (2nd Asia & Oceania Trials Winner)
5. Enrico Cocco – USA (1st North American Trials Winner)
6. Vagner Rocha – USA (2nd North American Trials Winner)
7. Davi Ramos – Brazil (1st South American Trials Winner)
8. Gabriel Rollo – Brazil (2nd South American Trials Winner)
9. Garry Tonon – USA (Invited)
10. Otavio Sousa – Brazil (Invited)
11. Lucas Lepri – Brazil (Invited)
12. Ben Henderson – USA (Invited)
13. Dillon Danis – USA (Invited)
14. Gilbert Burns – Brazil (Invited)
15. AJ Agazarm – USA (Invited)
16. Milton Vieira – Brazil (Invited)

Male -88 kg

1. Romulo Barral – Brazil (ADCC 2013 Winner)
2. Zbigniew Tyszka – Poland (1st European Trials Winner)
3. Jesse Urholin – Finland (2nd European Trials Winner)
4. Craig Jones – Australia (1st Asia & Oceania Trials Winner)
5. Hidemi Mihara – Japan (2nd Asia & Oceania Trials Winner)
6. Matthew Arroyo – USA (1st North American Trials Winner)
7. Mike Perez – USA (2nd North American Trials Winner)
8. Claudio Calasans – Brazil (1st South American Trials Winner)
9. Keenan Cornelius – USA (Invited)
10. Rustam Chsiev – Russia (Invited)
11. Pablo Popovich – USA (Invited)
12. Rafael Lovato Jr. – USA (Invited)
13. Ezra Lenon – USA (Invited)
14. Neiman Gracie – Brazil (Invited)
15. Yuri Simoes – Brazil (Invited)
16. Ricardo Ramos De Mesquita – Brazil (Invited)

Male -99 kg

1. Joao Assis – Brazil (ADCC 2013 Winner)
2. Tomasz Narkun – Poland (1st European Trials Winner)
3. Kamil Uminski – Poland (2nd European Trials Winner)
4. Tobias Green – Australia (1st Asia & Oceania Trials Winner)
5. Yukiyasu Ozawa – Japan (2nd Asia & Oceania Trials Winner)
6. Tom DeBlass – USA (1st North American Trials Winner)
7. Jason Bukich – USA (2nd North American Trials Winner)
8. Roberto Alencar – Brazil (1st South American Trials Winner)
9. Cassio Francis Da Silva – Brazil (2nd South American Trials Winner)
10. Alexandre Ribeiro – Brazil (Invited)
11. Hector Lombard – USA (Invited)
12. Felipe Pena – Brazil (Invited)
13. Rodolfo Vieira – Brazil (Invited)
14. Jimmy Friedrich – USA (Invited)
15. Adam Sachnoff – USA (Invited)
16. Lukasz Michalec – Poland (Invited)

Male +99 kg

1. Janne-Pekka Pietiläinen – Finland (2nd European Trials Winner)
2. Lee Hyoung Chul – Korea (1st Asia & Oceania Trials Winner)
3. Hideki Sekine – Japan (2nd Asia & Oceania Trials Winner)
4. Jason Lees – USA (1st North American Trials Winner)
5. Paul Ardila – USA (2nd North American Trials Winner)
6. Leonardo Nascimento Lucio – Brazil (1st South American Trials Winner)
7. Gabriel Lyrio Lucas – Brazil (2nd South American Trials Winner)
8. Rodrigo Cavaca – Brazil (Invited)
9. Joao Gabriel Rocha – Brazil (Invited)
10. Dean Lister – USA (Invited)
11. Vinny Magalhaes – Brazil (Invited)
12. Orlando Sanchez – USA (Invited)
13. Rodrigo Artilheiro – Brazil (Invited)
14. Bernardo Faria – Brazil (Invited)
15. Jeff Monson – USA (Invited)
16. Jared Dopp – USA (Invited)

Female -60 kg

1. Michelle Nicolini – Brazil (ADCC 2013 Winner)
2. Kethe Marie Elgesem Engen – Norway (European Trials Winner)
3. Rikako Yuasa – Japan (Asia & Oceania Trials Winner)
4. Tammi Musumeci – USA (North American Trials Winner)
5. Ana Michelle Tavares Dantas – Brazil (1st South American Trials Winner)
6. Mayra Mello Mazza – Brazil (2nd South American Trials Winner)
7. Mackenzie Dern – USA (Invited)
8. Beatriz Mesquita – Brazil (Invited)

Female +60 kg

1. Gabrielle Garcia – Brazil (ADCC 2013 Winner)
2. Sophia Nordenö – Sweden (European Trials Winner)
3. Amanda Santana – USA (North American Trials Winner)
4. Fernanda Mazzelli Almeida Maio – Brazil (1st South American Trials Winner)
5. Jéssica Da Silva Oliveira – Brazil (2nd South American Trials Winner)
6. Marysia Malyjasiak – Poland (Invited)
7. Ana Laura Cordeiro – Brazil (Invited)
8. Alison Tremblay –  Canada (Invited)

ADCC Stars Superfight

      Mário Sperry (Brazil) vs. Ricardo Liborio (Brazil)

ADCC Main Superfight

      André Galvão (Brazil) vs. Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu (Brazil)

Otávio Sousa in a tangle with Clark Gracie at IBJJF NY Open / Photo: Cristian Buitron/GRACIEMAG

A Jiu-Jitsu black belt from the Brazilian state of Pernambuco who won the absolute and middleweight divisions at the New York Open last April 21, Otávio Sousa already has his sights set on the next competition.

The instructor at Gracie Barra in California is one of the main stars signed up for the Long Beach Spring International Open, an IBJJF-promoted tournament to feature at the inaugural World Jiu-Jitsu Expo, a mega event Renzo Gracie has put together for the Californian city. Entering the mix in Long Beach with him are the likes of Rômulo Barral, Zak Maxwell, Rafael Rosendo, Samir Chantre, Gustavo Dias, Gustavo Sirizinho, Baret Yoshida and dozens of other gentle-art teachers.  (Check out the list of who’s in here.)

“My fight strategy is to go in balls to the wall, let my game flow like I always do. And I’ll spare no force or energy,” says Sousa, underscoring that he’s mentally prepared for the task at hand.

Besides going in there to do his thing, the Zé Radiola student is eagerly rubbing his hands together as he waits to witness the supermatches featuring at the event, which looks bound to make Jiu-Jitsu history.

“I’m really anxious about watching the supermatches. All of them will surely be really tough, but in my opinion Gracie Barra’s going to win them all,” wagers the black belt, slanting the focus to his school.

BRÁULIO VS. NICK DIAZ DETERMINED BY “EXPERIENCE”

“Bráulio Estima vs. Nick Diaz is the most anticipated one, but Carcará will take it for sure. Not to play down the opponent, but Bráulio has a lot more experience and Jiu-Jitsu skills in his favor,” opines Otávio.

Stay tuned to GRACIEMAG.com for further news regarding the inaugural World Jiu-Jitsu Expo, and secure your tickets by clicking here.

Click here  to watch the supermatch line-up live, with Carcará vs. Nick Diaz, Kron Gracie vs. Victor Estima, Kyra Gracie vs. Alexis Davis, Caio Terra vs. Jeff Glover, Bill Cooper vs. Nino Schembri, Kayron Gracie vs. Rafael Lovato all set to put on a show on the mat!

Kron between Nate and Nick Diaz: the three black belts banded together to prepare for engagements with some stalwart opposition this May in California, in Jiu-Jitsu, MMA and submissions wrestling. Publicity photo.

The promoters of the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo are going all out for the maiden installment of the event. Around 10,000 fans are expected to crowd the pavilion in Long Beach, California, and they’ll be treated to attractions of all kinds.

For 15 dollars (the cost of tickets purchased in advance) participants gain access to seminars by Roger Gracie, Robert Drysdale, Ronaldo Jacaré and others; plus they’ll get to see the highly anticipated No-Gi showdown between Nick Diaz and Bráulio Estima.

WHO WILL KYRA GRACIE BE FACING? OUR READERS DECIDE

And the news just keeps on coming. Right after GRACIEMAG.com readers found out about the supermatch between Kayron Gracie and Rafael Lovato Jr., the organizing committee headed by Renzo Gracie confirmed another enticing competition-Jiu-Jitsu match-up: Victor Estima vs. Kron Gracie.

Bráulio’s brother recently overcame Kron in the middleweight semifinals of the 2012 Pan.

“Nick hosted Kron at his house in California, and they’re preparing for their matches for real,” said Cesar Gracie, the Diaz brothers’ teacher. What’s more, the two will be helping Nate Diaz get ready for his encounter with the game Jim Miller this May 5 at UFC on Fox.

To really raise the roof, Kyra Gracie‘s name was added to the list of combatants, in an female supermatch. The opponent, yet to be determined, may be an MMA fighter. So, gentle GRACIEMAG.com reader, take this opportunity to help the promoters out in banging the gavel: who do you think should be facing Kyra?

To secure your spot at this historic World Jiu-Jitsu Expo, coming up May 12 in Long Beach, click here. You’ll also find the timetable for the seminars with the big stars on the site.

Roger, with Renzo (in blue), Kyra and Rickson / Photo: Daren Bartlett

While fighting back a nagging desire to be wearing not jeans and a T-shirt but shorts and a rash guard, Roger Gracie relished ADCC 2011 amid his numerous fans and students in England. Following the event, Roger, like Marcelo Garcia, was trapped in the gymnasium, swamped by hordes of people asking for photos, autographs, handshakes and to exchange brief conversations.

Despite investing more and more of his time and energy on MMA training – and with audacious plans to perhaps join the stacked UFC light heavyweight division –, Roger still guarantees he will be back in his uniform of choice, the one that brought him to fame: the white gi. “I’ll be competing at the 2012 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship,” he said, responding to an inquirer. And nor does he discard the possibility of appearing at ADCC 2013.

On the grappling spectacle that transpired in Nottingham, England, over the weekend, he made his contentment apparent, however incomplete the contest was for him.

“I’m happy about Kyra; she was strategically flawless, didn’t make a single mistake. I’m impressed by how she did everything just right and had a perfect campaign. Bráulio was great throughout the entire supermatch. The only thing missing was a win from Renzo, who fought well but the task of facing a 100kg Zé Mário while weighing 80kg was a trickier one. He tried compensating for the weight difference with speed, and it worked as far as the wet and slippery mat permitted,” recalled Roger, referring to the humidity caused by there being an ice hockey ring one floor below the main arena.

“I enjoyed the matches, learned a lot today. Truth is, I’m always learning. And the standout in the men’s contest really was André Galvão. I’ve never seen him so  technically and physically well prepared before. He’s to be congratulated for his performance. The absolute title ended up in the right hands,” said the 2005 open weight champion in praise.

But enough banter, let’s get to the position the Gracie taught exclusively for GRACIEMAG.com readers, with the help of black belt Alex Faria, who also teacher at Roger Gracie Academy in London.

Rodolfo: set to tryout no-gi in São Paulo / Photo: Carlos Ozório

Sign-ups for the ADCC 2011 South American tryouts set for April 30 in São Paulo have kicked off with some big names already on the list.

Among those confirmed, according to promoter Wagner Gomes, are names like Alexandre Café, Leonardo Chocolate, Cristiano Titi, Ramon Ximenes, Rodolfo Vieira, Denilson Pimenta and Raoni Barcelos.

The deadline to sign up is April 25, but sign-ups may also end should 450 competitors sign up first.

“In just one week we received 110 sign-ups, and anyone who waits till the last minute may end up sitting it out,” recalls Wagner, ADCC general secretary. ADCC 2011 will take place September 24 and 25 in Nottingham, England.

Brazilians interested in participating can do so by clicking adccbrazil.com.

The championship is offering over US$ 5,000 in total prize money. It is free of cost for spectators and costs around US$ 11 (100,000 Indonesian Rupiah) for competitors. Sign-ups end November 1.

It is also a great opportunity for all students of the grappling arts in South East Asia, as all styles of martial art – including Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, sambo and judo – are welcome to join the competition and exchange techniques, in a friendly and competitive environment.

The rules of the competition are designed to encourage fast action and submissions. They do not, however, favor one style over another, as points are awarded for positions and techniques from all of the aforementioned martial arts.

For Indonesian Grappling Federation rules and regulations, visit the grapplingindo.com website.

Competitors should email promoter and leader of Synergy academy Niko Han by November 1st to sign up: nikohan@gmail.com.

When: Saturday, November 20, 2010
Where: Cilandak Townsquare , Jakarta
Check-in /Weight-in: 10:00 am Technical Meeting: 11:00 am
Start Time: 12:00

“The mission is submission”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPWA81iNGYA

Pablo Popovitch in one of his greatest wins, against Marcelo Garcia. Photo: Carlos Ozorio

Last Saturday, Paris hosted the VIC, a traditional European submission wrestling tournament. Inspired by the setting being the French capital, friends Pablo Popovitch and Jeff Monson won at weight and closed out the absolute.

Pablo won the under 84 kg division while Monson took the over 96 kg one. In the under 75 kg division, Marcelo Bocão was the winner. In the under 66 kg, our GMA Anderson Pereira took the gold.

“These days this tournament is the biggest grappling tournament in Central Europe, and folks came from all the countries. Each division was worth a thousand Euros, and the absolute paid 1,500. I’d won it twice in the past, this time I made it three,” said Anderson.

Check out the ultra heavyweight final with Jeff Monson.

Robert Drysdale travels to New Jersey at the end of this month to teach a series of gi and no-gi seminars.

2005’s black belt world champion will teach three seminars in the region, as listed below.

Thursday , March 25,2010 @ 6pm
Advanced Martial Arts
1825 Rt. 130 South
North Brunswick,NJ 08902
908-670-8242

Friday,  March 26,2010 @ 6pm
Elite Martial Arts
Regal Theatre Plaza
12 Rt 9 North
Morganville, NJ 07751
732-617-1060

Sunday, March 28,2010 @ 11am
Efrain Rojas Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
891 Bloomfield Ave
Clifton,NJ 07012
973-851-4772

For more information and details please contact: Efrain Rojas, efrain@erbjj27@gmail.com or (973) 851 4772.

More than 300 thousand fans have watched the Youtube video. Later on, the winner of this one would take third in the open weight category, behind Roger Gracie and Ronaldo Jacaré.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXF8U2xEDvk

BOPE group gathered at promotion ceremony. Photo: Publicity

Last weekend, at BOPE (Brazilian elite police force) headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, the luta livre and submission grappling belt promotion exam was held for the caveiras – as BOPE officers are known – and for the Rio de Janeiro Elite Municipal Guard. Four caveiras were promoted to black belt.

Pequeno and Índia roll with "caveiras". Photo: Publicity

The event, organized by BOPE instructor Felix (Mau Mau), a black belt in luta livre and brown belt in Jiu-Jitsu, included the participation of Gilson Fernandes, a Jiu-Jitsu and luta livre black belt and director of Submission Luta Livre Federation events; Daniel D’Dane; vice-president Alexandre Pequeno, an MMA fighter; Master Jefferson (JOP), as well as MMA and Jiu-Jitsu fighter Ana Maria “Índia”, who also practices the style.

Pequeno and Índia performed the final roll and were impressed with the abilities of the caveiras.