The first class of 2013 as black belt parents. / Photo: Personal archives

For Tracey Goodell and Mike Fowler, their year of 2013 started off with huge changes– a new belt, a new bond and new name!

On New Year’s Eve, Tracey received her black belt from her then fiance Mike Fowler, after training for about six years. Mike achieved his own black belt in three and a half years and is a well-known American black belt competitor. The couple met through Jiu-Jitsu and flourished with accomplishments while training together as teammates. Today, they have accomplished much outside of the mat including the addition of another family member– their son, Thor.

If you read our article about Tracey’s break from Jiu-Jitsu in 2011, you will note her dedication to the art of Jiu-Jitsu. Her training regiments were adjusted but the drive to continue her goals maintained.

We asked Tracey about her new life as not only a fresh black belt, but also as a wife. The marriage of Mike and Tracey Fowler was made official in their island wedding on January 20, 2013. Congratulations to both of you!

Here is what Tracey had to say about the recent changes made in her life and what we can expect from the family in 2013:

How does it feel to be married, any difference?

No real difference being married, besides the fact that I have been practicing how to write Fowler everyday! lol It definitely was a very special and perfect day that we will both never forget! And I just think that we are growing as a couple/family more and more every day.

When will we see you competing next?

I plan on competing in the Hawaii Abu Dhabi Trials, and the Pan Ams, and the Worlds, not quite sure what else. I want to compete as much as possible!

What are your plans in terms of teaching?

As far as teaching I have really began to take up strength and conditioning workouts a lot more. I love it! I have a crew of girls who have gotten great results and some have transitioned into training Jiu-Jitsu now as well! It’s awesome because for a while I was the only female! I have also been doing a lot of private lessons lately here in Hawaii for some girls. They are looking really good.

What is next for the Fowler family?

Next for us will be the Trials, Feb. 2 and then Pan Kids in Cali.

The couple on their wedding day / Photo: MelanieGregor.com

The wedding / Photo: Personal archives

Lagarto at the 2011 European Championships winning his weight division. Photo by Ivan Trindade

One of the black belt divisions at the 2012 IBJJF Long Beach Open currently lists one of the best competitors in the super-heavy division on its roster. Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues is a known name in the United Kingdom where he resides as well as his home country Brazil, however his lack of presence in American competitions has limited his exposure and recognition. After overcoming Hodgkin’s Disease, a lymphatic cancer, in 2007 he came back to training after one month of chemotherapy and began competing shortly after completing his treatment. In 2011 he had a great run as the 2011 European weight division champion, Abu Dhabi World Pro Trials weight division and absolute champion and Abu Dhabi World Pro Cup division champion winning over some of the top names in the sport today like Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, Leonardo Nogueira and others. Looking to further his winning streak, he had planned to attend the 2011 World Championships in Long Beach, CA however was unable to obtain a visa for the trip.

Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues on the podium at the 2011 Abu Dhabi World Pro Cup

Now, he has high hopes that he will be able to get to the states for the 2012 IBJJF Long Beach Fall Open on December 8 at the esteemed Long Beach Walter Pyramid  as he his applying for his visa and will know the results shortly. The Long Beach Open is the last chance for athletes to win a gold before the year ends and for Lagarto, it’s also a chance to win $5,000.

The IBJJ Pro League, which is happening the night of the Long Beach Open, is an invitation only event that combines the weight classes down to 4 separate categories with cash prizes for first and second place. The brackets have been filled except for the spots available for those who win their weight divisions at the Long Beach Open earlier in the day on December 8. Currently Lagarto is the only person in his division, ensuring his spot into the Pro League brackets along with Bruno Bastos, Gustavo Pires and Roberto “Tussa” Alencar to name a few.

In this chat with Lagarto, he speaks to GRACIEMAG.com about his eagerly awaited result of his visa application as well as his excitement towards finally competing in the U.S.:

How is your preparation going?
I’m currently in Liverpool waiting for my visa to be stamped. I find out tomorrow if I am able to get the visa for my trip to the Long Beach Fall Open. I’ve never been to America. The last time I was able to compete in the biggest tournaments was when the World Championships were in Brazil, but I haven’t seen them since it moved to the states. Other than that, I am teaching and training with Victor Estima and other Gracie Barra guys.

Lucio “Lagarto” Rodrigues against Leonardo Nogueira at 2011 European Championships

If you make it into the Pro League, how do you feel about competing against the athletes that are confirmed already like Bruno Bastos?
I have fought Bruno Bastos a hundred times! Back in Brazil we always used to fight because he is in my weight division. A lot of the guys who are the best guys in the world are people I have competed against or defeated before. But I am not very known because I have never competed in the states at the Pan Ams and the Worlds. So, because I can’t go there, I have to hunt them down elsewhere, haha!

Do you think coming to the Long Beach Open and participating in the IBJJ Pro League will help you get the recognition you deserve?
I don’t really care about having a big name but I want to be remembered and I want to be a good influence for my students. I think the people today have a very short memory because they don’t remember all of the big names in the past. I have students who have no idea who the top guys were some six to eight years ago! I want to believe that after I die I will have been remembered for everything I did and that people won’t forget about me. I beat cancer and I came back and won one of the biggest tournaments in the world. I want to be remembered as an inspirational person.

If you have not registered yet for the 2012 IBJJF Long Beach Open you can still confirm your spot! Don’t forget to do so; you have until Friday, November 30 to sign up. Go to www.ibjjf.org to register. Don’t miss the last chance of the year to put your competition gi to use!

Braga celebrates his victory over Ceconi. Photo: Carlos Ozório.

Antonio Braga Neto fought at home in Manaus trials for the World Professional Championship, but it wasn’t easy. In fact, his most difficult fight was on the first day of the competition, against a local opponent.

“I was very nervous. I hadn’t fought here in Manaus for a long time, so it was a big responsibility for me. I’ve decided to fight in a different category of which I had signed up at the last minute. I was going to fight in MMA, so I was already losing weight. I had to lose a lot of weight from one day to another and I didn’t feel well. But today (finals day), I was able to have good fights”, said the champion of the 92kg category, who submitted Rigoney Castro in the semifinals with an omoplata and defeated Alexandro Ceconi in the finals with 11 to 0.

Guaranteed in Abu Dhabi, Braga will continue with the action on the mats. But now the main goal, even more important than being absolute champion in the Mundial or in Abu Dhabi, is to become a UFC fighter. The black belt wants to participate in Brazilian TUF’s edition, the Ultimate Fighting reality show.

“Unfortunately, today I can’t focus so much on Jiu-Jitsu. In fact, I think I went through many ups and downs due to not being totally focused. MMA is growing a lot and I’m more into it, lately. I don’t have the absolute championship with kimono, but I have the no-gi one. I’m two-time black belt world champion, I have 11 gold medals in World Championships by IBJJF. I know Jiu-Jitsu has opened many doors, I have a great life, but I just turned 24 and the responsibility is increasing. It’s time to build a more solid career and MMA gives me a better final stability. Today, I seek for a rise in MMA and, who knows, be part of UFC”, commented.

“TUF was what helped the popularity of MMA in the U.S. and of course this will also happen in Brazil. I want to be part of it. I come from an unknown part of Brazil for many people (Manaus) and people aren’t aware of the amount of tough guys coming out here. I think when you dedicate five entire years of your life, whether the activity is, you grow, it’s rewarding. I have done it and it changed my life. Now I want the same in MMA”, concluded.

Registration for TUF is open in br.ufc.com since last Sunday. Will we see Braga Neto on the TV screen?

It was the first World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, in Rio de Janeiro, right in February, and the fighter Wallid Ismail was one of the top fighters from the Carlson Gracie academy. And it promised to run over anyone in the way.

At the middleweight semifinal, under the baton of referee Sergio Ignácio, Wallid faced Roberto “Roleta” Magalhães, a recent graduate to black belt, from the rival Gracie Barra.

In response to requests from two readers, here is the most classic video ever of one of the world championship semifinals. Check out the fight, and the ensuing celebration at Tijuca Tênis Clube at the end.