Werdum at pre-UFC 147 open training session in Belo Horizonte, Brazil: the MMA star has made his mark at Jiu-Jitsu World Championships. Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images/Publicity

Paraphrasing a famous poem by Carlos Drummond de Andrade (1902-1987), the Brazilian writer paid tribute this week at the Paraty Literary Festival, Jiu-Jitsu is a great sport because Fabricio faced Tererê who faced Marcelo Garcia who faced Roger who faced Demian who faced Napão who faced Pé de Pano who faced Werdum.

The proving ground that is Jiu-Jitsu, where to be a monster you have to unseat a whole slew of monsters, is something that motivates athletes to be successful in MMA as well—as is the case with Fabrício.

Take a look back at this ultraheavyweight match from the 2004 World Championship between Werdum and a daring (and feisty) Fernando Tererê. It too was pure poetry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9yrBAVCQ74

Marcio Pé de Pano stuck his neck out at the 2012 Worlds on Saturday and showed off his triangle skills. Photo: GRACIEMAG.

Dreaded adversaries of days past, today the acclaimed Marcio “Pé de Pano” and Rodrigo “Comprido” Medeiros put in fine display’s at the 2012 World Championship, and unless the urge to sport a gi and go at it again doesn’t nag too much, they received their honorable and glorious discharge from service today in Long Beach. “It was a farewell,” affirmed Pé de Pano to GRACIEMAG.com, as Comprido left his black belt laying on the mat, drawing a salvo of applause.

Both signed up in the ultraheavyweight division, Comprido dropped a quarterfinals match to Alexander Trans, while Pé de Pano made it as far as the semifinals, where he put in a stellar display against the absolute finalist Marcus Bochecha. With Bochecha on his back, Pé defended, swept, and when the dust settled, lost by 4 to 2, earning a thankful embrace from the young Bochecha.

GRACIEMAG.com would like to remember some of the memorable moments these two absolute superchampions (Comprido in 99/00, Pé in 2002/03) partook in in the past. And requests a standing round of applause.

Rodrigo Comprido at 2000 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz9ZADyCJ9k

Marcio Pé de Pano on Brazil’s Sportv channel in 2000 (even showing some capoeira skills at the end)

Gabriel Vella, current Pan-American champion of the ultraheavyweight division / Photo: publicity

Following his conquest of the weight and open weight divisions at the first leg of the São Paulo Circuito Aberto circuit, late last month, Gabriel Vella had the tough task of picking his next competition: the Gramado, Brazil tryouts for the World Pro or the Jiu-Jitsu Pan. As the cost of travel would be quite high, the Ryan Gracie black belt opted for the IBJJF Pan, to take place March 24 to 27 in Irvine, California, and for which sign-ups end today (sign up here). “I’m really focused on this year’s Pan and I’m confident I can defend my title from 2010,” remarked Vella, the current Pan-American champion of the ultraheavyweight division.

What about you, reader, do you think Vella can pull off another gold medal this year? Comment below!

Comprido brushing up on ground game with Brock Lesnar, in photo from archives

Absolute world champion in the years 1999 and 2000 Rodrigo Comprido showed he’s still got it when it comes to competition Jiu-Jitsu. In Lisbon, Comprido got the submission in four matches and closed out the ultraheavyweight adult division with Igor Silva, another Brasa rep.

“I had four matches in all and got the finish in all of them. One was an armbar, one a footlock, and two were chokes. The weight group semifinal was the toughest, since the guy had a really good guard and I had a hard time passing. But experience made the difference and I was able to make the most of my opportunities,” says the fighter turned MMA coach.

“Last year I had to dedicate myself more to my work as a coach and owner of an academy in Chicago and I ended up not competing at the Pan nor the Worlds. I competed at the Chicago Open, where I won my weight group and the absolute, and competed at some smaller championships. It was my first time at the European Open and it’s always nice winning I title I hadn’t had before. And sharing the podium with Igor was gratifying. I remember him as a juvenile at Brasa Gávea Gym, and I’m proud to have helped him a bit in his conquests. Igor is a dangerous fighter and, if all goes well, he’ll do some damage at the Worlds,” said the teacher in assessment, having taken runner-up to Igor Silva’s gold.

Comprido says he will now return to competition at the Chicago Open and then the Worlds. But his focus in 2011 is on MMA and the UFC. “I have a student fighting in the UFC on the same day as the Pan, so I’ll miss that one. And I’ll be watching TUF closely, of course. I feel the fight between Brock Lesnar and Junior Cigano will be fantastic for the MMA scene, since Brock always drew a large number of spectators to the sport. Thus it will be interesting for Brazil and Brazilians, as Cigano will get a lot more visibility. And I’1ll try and show the world just how much our Jiu-Jitsu is important in MMA these days,” he says.

And he concludes: “The fight itself will be exciting. They’re two super athletes who want more than anything to get their hands on Velasquez’s belt and as quickly as possible. I can tell you that Brock will be totally well prepared and I expect nothing less than a breathtaking fight – of course, with Brock winning it.”

Complete party: Cyborg wins his weight, the absolute, and was even honored with an IBJJF diploma, along with professors Montanha (middle) and Pé de Pano. Photo: Ray Santana.

The ultra heavyweight final of this Saturday, October 23’s Miami Open pit two of our GMA’s against each other: Roberto Cyborg (The Avengers) and Stephen Hall (Alliance).

The match starts out with a skillful takedown right of the bat, and from there on… Well, you check it out for yourself.

The giant from CheckMat caught Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu by the ankle in the final, ending things quickly – the match and the championship.

In the female absolute, Luanna took the title. In the men’s, Rominho left with a slight limp to hand Roger the win.

“I got hurt when I tried to escape Tarsis’s hold; I just want the fans to know it wasn’t my fault. Next year I’ll be back here again,” said Barral.

Congratulations to everyone!

Cavaca in photo by Regis Chen (2009).

Don’t forget to check out the complete coverage of the Worlds 2010 on the GRACIEMAG at the Worlds Blog.