Magid Hage puts Clark Gracie to sleep with baseball bat choke / Photo by Erin Herle

The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Cup Trials in San Diego brought names onto the tongues of mainstream members, cash into the pockets of two black belt open weight champions, tickets into the hands of determined athletes at every belt level and intense cheer into the gloomy San Diego city atmosphere.

As Sunday, January 27 was set for the final matches and absolute divisions, there were also kid divisions that endured turmoil and tenacity. The little competitors started the day for the proud parents, coaches and teammates who made sure to prove that competing is fun even when losses are met for some. Tears were shed by passionate children and many hugs were given from the bystanders and sometimes even referees.

By the time the masters and seniors divisions were underway, the tone became more serious. Black belts entered the mats to fight for the open weight cash prizes and the open weight divisions for belts white through purple began to flourish.

The female divisions combined many belts and gave three opportunities to win the tickets. White and blue belts remained in the same category but because the division was combined completely, it was one of the only times we saw super heavyweights against lightweights.

The brown/black open division slowly narrowed down as all of the brown belts were taken out. One stand-out named Magid Hage from Gracie Barra debuted in his first black belt tournament and submitted multiple opponents with the baseball choke. Two of his most notable wins came from Clark Gracie’s resistance to the choke ending in a nap and Zak Maxwell nearly met the same ending but managed to tap before completely submitting himself to the trance.

The brown/black division finals were fast and ended all by points or referee decisions except for the last match where Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida footlocked James Puopolo in under two minutes.

For results of the open class winners for all belts and brown/black division winners please see below:

FEMALE

White/Blue Absolute
1-  Erica Plummer-Santana; ticket winner

2- Tara White

3- Ila Erickson

3- Natyna Vidaot

Purple/Brown/Black Absolute
1- Kristina Barlaan; ticket winner

2- Sarah Black

3- Amanda Grummon

3- Chelsea Donner

MALE

White Absolute
1- Russel Fouts; ticket winner

2-  Max Necochea

3- Russel Delmar

3- Addiweli Buul

Blue Absolute Under 183
1- Rolando Samson; ticket winner

2- Angela Guerrero-Barden

3- Evan Esaki

3- Sebastian Villanueva

Blue Absolute Over 183
1- James Russel; ticket winner

2- Brandon Tucker

3- Lucas Pollard

3- James Harris

Purple Absolute Under 183
1- Michael Liera Jr.; ticket winner

2- Rick Slomba

3-  Dominique Hoskins

3- Daniel Stoulfi

Purple Absolute Over 183
1- Mike Carbullido; ticket winner

2- Nisar Loynab

3- David Morehead

3-  Louis Villarreal

Brown/Black Absolute Under 183
1- Marcel Goncalves; $500 cash winner

2- Magid Hage

3- Zak Maxwell

3- Ryan Beauregard

Brown/Black Absolute Over 183
1- Gustavo Dias

2- James Puopolo

3- Manuel Diaz

3- Luiz Pedro Ribeiro

Brown/Black Under 143
1- Rafael Freitas; ticket winner

2- Baret Yoshida

3- Geoffrey Villarreal

3- Aaron Buck

Brown/Black Under 163
1- Zak Maxwell; ticket winner

2- Rodrigo Freitas

3- Tanner Rice

3- Marcel Goncalves

Brown/Black Under 183
1- Marcelo Mafra; ticket winner

2- Don Ortega

3- Clark Gracie

3- Ryan Beauregard

Brown/Black Under 202
1- Robert Alencar; ticket winner

2- Eliot Kelly

3- Eduardo Telles

3- Manuel Diaz

Brown/Black Over 202
1- Marcus Almeida; ticket winner

2- James Puopolo

3- Luiz Pedro Ribeiro

3- Gustavo Dias

Rafael “Barata” Freitas will compete in the final of the under 143 category at the San Diego WPJJC Trial on Sunday January 27 / Photo by Erin Herle

The matches in the Miramar College gym went off without a hitch today at the San Diego WPJJC Trial.

The day started at 10 a.m. with the adult blue belts filling the four mats. As the day moved on down the belts and the division winners were solidified, the crowds grew. The blue belts, many under the age of 21, captured the action well. By the time the purple belts began, crowds were watching intently as the athletes had their chance to shine. Moving to brown and black belts, it was a time for all to admire the technique and tenacity unfolding in search for a ticket to Abu Dhabi in April.

Overall, the final matches of each division garnered their own intensity, cheers and sweat poured. Tomorrow will be time for the absolute divisions to begin with white belts qualifying from semi-final division winners and up and all other divisions qualifying from the quarter-final winners and up.

Here are the winners of the divisions:

ADULT MALE

WHITE
Light Feather:  Chuong Vu/Lotus Club Jiu-Jitsu
Feather: Mark Barrett/Cobrinha BJJ
Light: Ivan Herrera/Undisputed
Middle: Alex Ogiyevich/Gracie Barra Northridge
Medium Heavy: Michael Scott/BJJ Revolution
Heavy: Russell Delmar/SDBJJ
Ultra Heavy: Max Necochea/Undisputed

BLUE
Light Feather: Ian Sanders/Gracie Barra Manhattan Beach
Feather: Jeremy Jackson/Gracie Barra Northridge
Light: Angelo Guerrero-Barden/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu
Middle: Erick Leon Garcia/Gracie Barra
Medium Heavy: Kaniela Kahuanui/Caio Terra BJJ
Heavy: James Gray/Megaton Jiu-Jitsu
Super Heavy: Luke Pollard/Kaijin
Ultra Heavy: James Friedrich/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu

PURPLE
Light-Feather: Bobby Castle/Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Feather: Jeremy Spry/Undisputed
Light: John Meno/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu
Middle: Nisar Loynab/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu
Medium Heavy: Daniel Hampton/Nova Uniao
Heavy: Mike Carbullido/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu
Super Heavy: David Morehead/Joe Stevenson’s Cobra Kai
Ultra Heavy: Eric Geib/Victory MMA

FEMALE ADULT

WHITE/BLUE
Light Feather: Sheryl Lawrence/Fight Sports Avengers
Feather: Claudia Diaz/Caio Terra BJJ
Light: Erica Plummer Santana Nascimento/Lotus Club Jiu-Jitsu
Middle: Christine Giaquinto/Gracie Humaita San Diego
Medium Heavy: Natyna Vidato/Selva BJJ
Heavy: Tara White/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu

PURPLE/BROWN/BLACK
Light Feather: Tracy Leung/Gracie Humaita USA
Feather: Chelsea Bainbridge-Donner/ATOS Jiu-Jitsu
Light: Sarah Black/Nova Uniao

BROWN/BLACK ADULT MALE FINALS FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 27:

Under 143: Rafael Freitas v.s. Baret Yoshida
Under 163: Rodrigo Freitas v.s. Zak Maxwell
Under 183: Don Ortega v.s. Marcelo Mafra
Under 202: Eliot Kelly v.s. Roberto Alencar
Over 202: Marcus Almeida v.s. James Puopolo

Two brown/black open divisions have been added, under 183 and over 183. Cash prize available to the winner of each at $500.

For schedule, results and more information, head to www.prosportsbjj.com

The medals for the 2013 Abu Dhabi World Pro Trials in San Diego, CA Jan 26-27

If you haven’t registered yet, make sure you go to www.prosportsbjj.com and sign up for the 2013 Abu Dhabi Pro Cup Trials in San Diego, CA on January 26-27. The San Diego event has been the hub for many ticket holders who have won their place in the 2013 Abu Dhabi World Professional Cup in Abu Dhabi.

The deadline to sign up is Tuesday, January 22 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard time, divisions from kids to seniors all welcome! The location is at the large gymnasium at Miramar College 10440 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, CA 92126.

As a five star tournament, the opportunity to gain access for a free ticket is the largest. Winners of the adult male brown/black belt weight divisions receive a package and all other ranks can win in one or two open class divisions.

Some notable attendees include: Roberto “Tussa” Alencar, Alberto Crane, Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, Rafael Freitas, Rodrigo Simoes, Kristina Barlaan, Michael Liera, Jr., Mike Carbullido, Tanner Rice, Ryan Beauregard, Manuel Diaz, Ruotolo twins, Alyssa Wilson and more!

Register now at www.prosportsbjj.com

Keenan submits an opponent at the 2012 No-Gi World Championships / Photo by Erin Herle

Originally, Keenan Cornelius from Team Lloyd Irvin was planned to have a superfight with fellow brown belt champion, Felipe Pena in the Copa Podio 2013 Heavyweight Grand Prix event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Due to interferences with the Lloyd Irvin BJJ Kumite tournament on Keenan’s home turf this month, the superfight was cancelled.

With some new arrangements, however, the brown belt ace will now be attending for sure as a member of the yellow team. This tournament is designed for heavyweights, a small jump in weight for Keenan who resided in the middle weight category for most of this year. 

Top of the podium at the 2012 Abu Dhabi World Cup Trials New York

He is no stranger to absolute divisions as he conquered all of which he entered on his way to becoming the 2012 Grand Slam Champion, weight and absolute. He further showcased his abilities to match with heavier opponents at the 2012 Abu Dhabi World Pro Cup Trials in New York back in October as he won the -92kg brown/black belt division as well as placing third in the heavy absolute (+92 kg). In his path, he defeated world champion Roberto “Tussa” Alencar who is a native to the heavyweight divisions as well as champion of numerous absolutes.

Keenan shows no hesitation in his search for gold medals as a full-time medal chaser at the Team Lloyd Irvin Headquarters in Camp Springs, MD by his willingness to go against the top guys in the world, whatever weight they may be. When asked how he was approaching this event he told GRACIEMAG.com, “Go big or go home.”

In terms of  the Copa Podio Jiu-Jitsu event next month, Keenan is set to be included in a pool with Rodolfo Vieira, Leonardo Nogueira, Alexandre Ceconi and Xande Ribeiro. His first match is against Leonardo Nogueira of team Alliance, current super heavyweight world champion. In the green group, there is Alexandre Souza, Antonio Braga Neto, Lucio Lagarto, Bruno Bastos and Joao Gabriel Rocha.

If you are impressed by Keenan’s invite, his coach Lloyd Irvin, Jr can explain why you should be. From his facebook, he writes:

“This kid Keenan Cornelius is living the BJJ DREAM, 2 years ago no one knew who he was, he wasn’t winning anything, then in 2012 he became the first person to double grand slam ever and next month he will be competing against some of the absolute best black belts in BJJ today! WOW what a ride. Who else goes from not winning any purple belt tournaments to competing against Rodolfo Vieira & Xande in 2 years. Keenan has been added to the BIG BOY tournament”

To know more about the Copa Podio taking place January 13, please visit: www.copapodio.com

Rodolfo estrangula Lagarto. Foto: Raphael Nogueira.

A categoria absoluto já tem os dois finalistas no Europeu de Jiu-Jitsu da IBJJF, em Portugal. Rodolfo Vieira encara Bernardo Faria, reeditando a final do Mundial de Jiu-Jitsu 2011.

Bernardo contra Lovato. Foto: Raphael Nogueira.

Na semifinal, Rodolfo finalizou Lúcio Lagarto com um estrangulamento. Coube a Be Faria bater Rafael Lovato por 4 a 2 nos pontos.

Antes disso, nas quartas-de-final, Rodolfo Vieira finalizou Victor Estima com um triângulo e passou a ter a chance contra Lucio Lagarto, que finalizou Léo Nogueira com um estrangulamento da montada.

Rodolfo contra Victor no absoluto. Foto: Raphael Nogueira.

Também nas quartas, Rafael Lovato finalizou Igor Silva com uma kimua para encarar Bernardo Faria, que finalizou Roberto Tussa com uma chave omoplata.

Lovato contra Nogueira no absoluto. Foto:Raphael Nogueira.

Fique ligado no GARCIEMAG.com.

In the semifinals, Rodolfo put away Lúcio Lagarto with a choke, while Bê Faria beat Rafael Lovato 4-2 on points.

Rodolfo against Victor in absolute / Photo: Rafael Nogueira

Prior to that, in the quarterfinals, Vieira tapped out Victor Estima with a triangle in getting his shot at Lúcio Lagarto, who finished Léo Nogueira with a choke from mount.

Lovato against Nogueira in absolute / Photo:Rafael Nogueira

Also in the quarters, Rafael Lovato subbed Igor Silva with a Kimura hold to go through to his semi with Faria, who finished Roberto Tussa with an omoplata lock.

Stay tuned to GRACIEMAG.com.

The Gracie Barra teacher, who achieved bronzes in the absolute in 2007 and 2008, started off Sunday becoming three-time heavyweight world champion, by submitting Marcel Louzado, of CheckMat, with a flying triangle.

In the big match of the evening, Tussa shone again, beating Antonio Braga Neto (Gordo-Evolve) in the absolute final, keeping Neto from his third open category title.

In the women’s division, recently-promoted brown belt Hillary Williams (Westside) surprised by taking her weight and the absolute.

In the team dispute, CheckMat BJJ won, with Gracie Barra in second and Lloyd Irvin in third.

In the black belt men’s, it is unlikely a No-Gi Worlds will ever see a list of so many stars at the top of the podium again: Pablo Teixeira (rooster), Caio Terra (light feather), Baret Yoshida (feather), Lucas Lepri (light), Lucas Leite (medium), Rominho Barral (medium heavy), Tussa (heavy), Braga Neto (super-heavy) and Josh Barnett (ultra heavy) went home with gold medals.

Now in the Master division, the teams of our GMAs shone: Jorge Britto (absolute), Carlos Francis (heavy), Maycon Carvalho (medium heavy), Hermes França (medium) and Joel Tudor (light) were champions once again.

If you were tuned in to GRACIEMAG.com during the week, were you or weren’t you surprised with the results?