In addition to the world championships, Bárbara has nine South American and six national titles. Photo: Personal archive

Brown belt by Checkmat and two-time Jiu-Jitsu world champion, Bárbara Pires is no stranger to the challenges of Jiu-Jitsu and overcome, at the beginning of her career, the rupture of four ligaments in her knee, an injury that resulted in two surgeries and an uncertain window of return to the mats.

Despite the setbacks, she believes that the greater the difficulty, the greater the victory. With this mindset, Barbara gives six tips to help female athletes to adapt better to Jiu-Jitsu and overcome the obstacles of starting in the gentle art. Check it out below!

1. Have your goals defined: “Don’t allow yourself to be unmotivated. When I arrived at the academy saying that I wanted to be a world champion, many people laughed and doubted me. Today I have a solid career as an athlete, became a two-time world champion, and was able to visit places I never imagined, all thanks to Jiu-Jitsu. Determine your goals and fight for them, whether it’s a competition or any other aspect of Jiu-Jitsu.”

2. Enhance your uniform: “The uniform for women goes a little beyond normal. Wear shorts or high-waisted pants under the kimono. It is also important to use a tight top without plastic or metal parts so that it does not hurt you during training. Finally, separate a shirt without a neckline, preferably lycra, to take to the mat. It may sound silly, but you will train more comfortably and protected, allowing you to keep your focus on Jiu-Jitsu.”

3. Haircare: “Hold your hair tight, as it can break a lot depending on how you train. I like to make a high ponytail and then a braid so that the hair is not sticking to the skin, causing it to break less. Avoid clamps or metal fasteners, as they can hurt you and your training colleagues.”

Barbara in action without a gi. Photo: Reproduction

4. Nails and makeup: “Cut your nails so they don’t go past your fingertips. Long nails can hinder your training progress and pose a risk to your colleagues. It is also important to take off your makeup before training, as it will smudge and may end up dirtying the mat and the gi of other students. You can put it back after training.”

5. Choose your team and your teacher wisely: “You must be in a place that makes you comfortable, otherwise it won’t last long. Look for options that are nearby, watch and participate in an experimental class and, mainly, research about your teacher. You must know as much as possible about your future academy so that you can gain confidence to start your journey in Jiu-Jitsu.”

6. Don’t give up: “The start in Jiu-Jitsu can be difficult and even a little frustrating, but persist and you will start to see results. In addition to allowing you to blow off some steam from day-to-day pressures, Jiu-Jitsu stimulates the production of endorphins, gives you the self-confidence of knowing how to defend yourself and, like all physical activity, increases your self-esteem.”

They say that you should fear not the man who knows ten thousand kicks, but rather the man who has practiced one kick a thousand times. Black-belt world champion Bernardo Faria is that guy who does half-guard — this is what he’s known for. And we know this because he does it to every single opponent. He does it every day in the gym.

What he calls his “blue-belt half-guard” is a game he started as a blue-belt and has continued to use until now, after being a black-belt for six years and earning a black belt world title. It works because he has spent many, many hours on it. It works against the toughest opponents, against guys who know how to defend deep half and guys who have the strongest base.

He recently released a highlight of him completing a half-guard sweep over and over again on some of the most accomplished athletes in this sport.

What he has to say about choosing a specific game is this:

“In my opinion, to know a lot of techniques is not the hardest part. Everyone can know a lot of techniques if you really study jiu-jitsu. But I think the hardest part is knowing a technique so well that you are able to use it in any situation at any time. Like Malcolm Gladwell explains in his book Outliers regarding the ten thousand hours needed to find success, the hardest part is to spend the ten thousand hours on something. As long as you spend a lot of time on one thing, then you can become an expert on that one thing. I think what many people do is they change a lot and they don’t focus on one game.

“So I think that’s what I’ve done. I have probably spent ten thousand hours doing half-guard. ”

Black belt world champion Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro is our professor for the day.

Straight from his academy in New York City, he teaches us a sweep that starts in the half guard and ends in the opponent’s back.

Take some time and learn from the fifth-degree black belt that recently had a great showing at the 2016 WPJJC, finishing Daniel Moraes with a bow and arrow choke from the back.

Watch and add it to your game.

Usually fighting at the open class in high level competitions where she is often in the finals, black belt Mackenzie Dern is a great example of what BJJ is really all about: a martial art for self-defense that gives the individual tools to overcome a stronger attacker.

Check out below Mackenzie’s Koala guard control:

In the video below, the athlete of Gracie Humaita recalls the best moments of her career, shows how she trains and speaks of the competition that has marked her path in the gentle art.

Furthermore, the current absolute world champion once again plays in controversy and asks for a fight against Ronda Rousey, UFC champion: “It would be great to fight Ronda and show that Jiu-Jitsu is very professional, different from what she said. She should be more careful with her words,” said Bia.

Watch the full interview below and comment: who would win a superfight between Bia and Ronda?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV_u3Y6Ru8U

Leandro Lo in the cover of GRACIEMAG #202

Leandro Lo is making history in Jiu-Jitsu. Black Belt under Cicero Costha in Brazil, the young athlete, 25, has been training in the gentle art for more than ten years now alongside other high-level competitors, such as the Miyao Brothers. As an avid competitor, he has accumulated so far a distinctive amount of victories in his carrier as a fighter and today places second in the official IBJJF Adult Black Belt ranking.

Born in São Paulo and with a unique fighting style, Lo is a current three times Jiu-Jitsu World Champion who has also won multiple gold medals at other prestigious tournaments, including the WPJJC, Pan Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian National Championships. Last November, he defeated Gilbert Burns at Copa Podio – event in which he holds an almost perfect record since 2011.

While the ace Leandro Lo is highly known by his fancy Jiu-Jitsu, It might be the champion’s simplistic way of looking at life that is giving him the advantages to succeed. Here at GRACIEMAG.com, he talks about his lifestyle, what motivates him to compete and how he blends diet and training.

How do you combine diet and training?

My first training session is at 11am. Usually, in the morning I don’t feel hungry so I just drink an açaí and orange juice smoothie. When I’m trying to gain weight to move up in category, I replace the smoothie with a protein shake. My training finishes around noon, and then right after I eat lunch. I always have rice and beans with chicken or meat, salad or pasta. After my afternoon training I usually eat a snack high in protein, often with chicken. As I’m trying to put up some weight right now, I’m taking creatine, protein and carbo supplements as well. I don’t have a strict diet though; I often eat anything.

What is your biggest motivation to train and compete?

My love for Jiu-Jitsu, which makes me always want to evolve and win.

How would you describe your Lifestyle?

So, I think I would describe it as “I live my life intensively”.

Leandro Lo and Gilbert Burns battled for over 20 minutes last November at the Copa Podio, in Rio de Janeiro.

See how Lo was able to win the thrilling match in Brazil:

Leandro Lo VS Gilbert Durinho (Luta Especial) from Copa Podio on Vimeo.

Black Belt World Champion Michelle Nicolini. Photo by Milena Fioravanti

IBJJF Hall of famer Michelle Nicolini has many reasons to celebrate the year of 2014. The black belt has accumulated so far her 8th World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, a promising career in MMA and several booked seminars around the globe.

Here on GRACIEMAG.com the fighter shares some of her lifestyle secrets to success in training, dieting and how to be a girl in a big men’s world.

How do you adjust your diet to your training routine?

Usually, I lift weights or do my cross fit session before BJJ class. So, I like to get up early to have breakfast; but it does not mean I like to train early in the morning (laughs!) No, I need some more time to start training; I usually get up around 7am thereby I have enough time to eat a good meal. I normally eat 1 “tapioca” with white eggs, half papaya with yogurt and muesli, and black coffee. I start my work out at 9am, which typically lasts for 1 hour, and then I have a snack, like 1 small fruit or half of a protein bar, and immediately after that I go train Jiu-Jitsu. For me, its essential to drink a recovery shake afterwards. This first BJJ class is our competition training so I need to rehydrate and recover to be ready for the next training session. Then, in about 40 min I eat lunch; I like to have salads, lots of veggies and one kind of fish or chicken. If I need to drink something I choose a hot or iced tea.

Do you take any supplements?

Yes, I do take some. I believe that because I train a lot, I need extra care and help from supplements. For example, before I go to bed at night I take 1 scoop of whey protein – Lean Body or ProV60- Labrada mixed with water. Also, I take multivitamins, Vitamin D, Glucosamin, Glutamin (Glutalen-Labrada), BCAA, Elastijoint (Labrada), Endurox R4, and not often but some times if I feel tired, I take one scoop of Super Charge (pre training-Labrada).

Do you think your eating habits affect your performance?

I believe the way I eat affects the way I train. If I eat too much sugar for example, I will get very tired during my workouts, with a very bad cardio. So, it’s extremely important to eat healthy. I avoid sweets and fried foods on a daily basis, and I do not miss it. If I’m not training for competition then I give myself the pleasure of having ice cream or açai!

The girls that like you also love training Jiu-Jitsu would like to know: what are your beauty secrets for before and after practice?

BJJ is in its majority a male sport. So, I like to show I’m a girl even when I’m on the mats. I like to have my gi and rash guards always clean; its basic but some people just are not used to do it. I like to braid my hair to prevent other people from pulling it; its good for me and for the people I’m training with. I like to do my nails every week, and I love pink nails polish (laughs!). Like a girl I do put make up on, but not too much though because I’m going to training and not to a party. However, I remove it before working out and every night before I go to bed. I take extra care of my face and skin: cleaning and hydrating and things like showering before and after training to prevent mycoses and bacteria. Having a fresh breath is important too. Besides that, I don’t like rolling with people when they have dirty feet and it touches my gi, face, and hands; it is disgusting when someone is stinking. I’m not telling you we need to be tremendously clean but there has to be a minimum of hygiene.

Tell us, what it takes to keep your gratefulness on the mat?

I’have found what I like to do in my life so far. It’s not a sacrifice to go train. If I have any problem outside the mat, as soon as I start training it all disappears. There is no stress on the mat…BJJ is a mind therapy. So I m happy like this and that’s the most important thing.

For more tips, info and seminars visit www.michellefights.com

Ricardo Evangelista vs. Rodrigo Cavaca. Photo: Rafael Carvalho/ GRACIEMAG

GMA Zenith BJJ will be hosting a Jiu-Jitsu seminar tour for black belt World Champion Rodrigo Cavaca here in the USA this month. The Brazilian fighter embarked to the United States, this Monday, November 3, to teach Jiu-Jitsu techniques for students at the North American branches of his international team.

The seminars will be held next Thursday, November 6 and Sunday, November 9, in Portland, Oregon; and on Saturday, November 8, in Seatlle, Washington.

Cavaca maintains 30 offices in the US, in partnership with the American Robert Drysdale, professional UFC fighter and black belt in jiu-jitsu. Altogether, Zenith BJJ has 120 franchises throughout Brazil and the world, with about 7,000 students.

The fighter highlights the importance of this seminar: “In Brazil, we are respected, but Americans just treat us like kings, revering our jiu-jitsu. It is always very rewarding to do this exchange, “he says.

Now, Cavaca trains targeting the next international competition: the IBJJF European Championship, which will be in Portugal, from January 21 to 25 in Lisbon.

The 2015 season holds several important tournaments like the Abu Dhabi Pro in Abu Dhabi in April, Pan American Championship in California, between March 11 and 15, the 2015 Brazilian Nationals in Barueri, on April 30, Worlds Championship in Long Beach (CA), May 27 to 31 and the ADCC grappling event in Manaus, next September.

The 4x World Champion is also the Jiu-Jitsu coach for Vitor Belfort, who is preparing to compete for the middleweight belt at UFC 184 against Chris Weidman in a fight scheduled for Feb. 28 in Los Angeles, California.

Rodrigo Cavaca and Vitor Belfort.

Below, watch the professor teaching a submission from the open guard:

Roger Gracie (6w, 2d) returns to MMA in December. Photo by Ray Santana

The Jiu-Jitsu champion Roger Gracie will put on the gloves to fight MMA again. The Brazilian black belt living in London will make his first fight at One FC on December 5 in Manilla, Philippines.

Roger will measure strength against the dangerous James McSweeney (14v, 11d), a former reality show “TUF” athlete in the 93kg category (medium heavyweight). The organization came to announce that Gracie would fight as heavyweight, but it was a mistake.

The Gracie has not fought since leaving the UFC in June 2013, after losing to Tim Kennedy by jury‘s decision. The Kickboxer James has two wins by knockout at One FC, ​​one against the Brazilian Cristiano Kaminishi in August, which ended in the first round. James had his Jiu-Jitsu edged by Robert Drysdale, and fought UFC 120 against Fabio Maldonado when he was knocked out in the third round.

On the same night in December, we will see another black belt in Jiu-Jitsu in action: the undefeated Herbert Burns. The fighter from Rio de Janeiro faces Honorio Banario (8v, 4d).

See Cristiano against Roger’s rival at One FC in Dubai.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8waT6LQlwRw

Gabi defeated Luiza Monteiro at the No-Gi Worlds. Photo: Erin Herle

The star Gabrielle Garcia, Alliance’s absolute queen, did not spend much time celebrating her Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi world tittle that she conquered last October 5 in California.

In a conversation with GRACIEMAG, Gabi spoke about dieting and plans for her MMA debut, possibly next December 23. The Chinese event Real FC 1 has even announced the name of her opponent as Megumi Yabushita, an experienced 42 years athlete with over 40 fights in her career.

Kron Gracie will fight in the main event in Tokyo, Japan, and also the Jiu-Jitsu stars Marcos Souza and Roberto Satoshi are scheduled on the card.

Gabi, however, said that the fight is still a possibility:

“I have been training no-gi, dieting and dropping weight to get lighter. However, just came out in the press a note about my MMA debut in December, but I do not know where this information came from. Neither do I know the name of my opponent. Fabio Gurgel [coach] is still negotiating everything, it might happen, but it might not – I’m still getting back confident after my injury. Thus, I already feel like I’m living the best phase of my professional career”, said Gabi.

Having a deal or not with the Chinese event for December doesn’t means that the Alliance black belt will leave the Jiu-Jitsu Worlds: “I do not intend to stop fighting Jiu-Jitsu so early, I can guarantee that I will fight anything that shows up.”

About the World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi, the heavyweight commented her performance and Mackenzie Dern’s triangle, the attack from which she escaped without fluster.

“I pulled guard and called all my fights to the ground, risking things I didn’t do before; I wanted to test myself, to put myself at risk. Take risks made ​​me see that an attack like the guillotine can give me a hard work (laughs). But I did not feel in danger other times; I tried not to use force or the difference of strength, I tried to change a bit”, she said. “I’m feeling more confident with my guard game and learning a new Jiu-Jitsu that I love.”

Apart from Jiu-Jitsu and MMA, Gabi have on her agenda a series of seminars in Europe before and after the IBJJF European championship in January. “Now who takes care of my stuff overseas regarding seminars and other job opportunities is Cesalina Gracie. If anyone is interested in our seminar, please send an email to cesalinagracie@gmail.com or gabijiu@gmail.com”.

Mackenzie Dern travels to Japan for a tour of seminars next month.

The black belt beauty will be in Tokyo at the Physical Space from 19:00 to 22:00 on November 1^st and in Nagoya at the Kita Sport Center from 11:00 to 14:00 on November 2^nd.

Both classes are open to men and women who are looking forward to learn from the American champion. Mackenzie has an all-around curriculum in Jiu-Jitsu with many championship tittles including: 6x World, 5x World No-Gi, 4x European and 2x Pan American.

Click here to buy tickets now!

Watch below a video of Mackenzie speaking Japanese to invite all her fans that live in japan to attend the seminars.

Video

Kyra Gracie is retired from Jiu-Jitsu, but does not deny migration to MMA. Photo: GRACIEMAG archives

The black belt born in the toughest family on the planet, Kyra Gracie confirmed that is definitely out of the Jiu-Jitsu competition.

The world champion beauty that also owns several ADCC tittles revealed at the UFC event in Brazil this Thursday, April 23, that will not be seen in action at BJJ tournaments again. The information is from MMA Brasil website.

Kyra spoke about a new stage in life, after the birth of her daughter Ayra, and commented that she thinks her achievements in Jiu-Jitsu are enough to leave the mats:

“I just gave birth to my baby, so I had to leave training for a while, that is inevitable. I competed in Jiu-Jitsu for as long as I should, I managed to conquer my goals. In Jiu-Jitsu, nobody else will see me competing”, said Kyra.

The Gracie, however, assumed that would not hang her pink Gi because training was only pulled out of her agenda on account of pregnancy. But the emphasis in saying that she will not compete “in Jiu-Jitsu” left the reporter curious about a possible migration to MMA; but Kyra dodged when asked:

“I will never leave martial arts, I will always train. About MMA, somehow I’m already there, I’m commenting. But there’s nothing confirmed. It is difficult to predict the future, but we’ll see. ”

Would you like to see Kyra Gracie fighting in MMA? Or back in a superfight? Comment here!