What did you make of your performance at the tryouts?

It was better, much better than I had hoped for because I’d decided to fight at the last minute and ended up winning both divisions. Truth is, I was only going to compete in New Jersey, but decided to try my luck in Las Vegas too. If I didn’t win, I’d still have another chance, but everything worked out in the end, thank God. I managed to fight well and get what was most important, the ticket to Abu Dhabi, and I got four thousand dollars to boot!

Bochecha against Braga / Photo: John Lamonica

What are your thoughts on the side competition against Antonio Braga Neto, in two finals?

I always watched and took pleasure in seeing Braga Neto, as he has attacking Jiu-Jitsu. For sure it was an honor to fight him. And they were extremely tough battles. In the first mach, I managed to sweep at the very end, after falling behind 4 to 0 on advantage points. In the second, I managed to take the lead with a takedown and two passes. He swept me at the very end. They were two really tough matches.

What are your upcoming challenges?

Now I’m focused on the Pan, the World Pro and the Worlds. We’ll have a camp over in Florida and, for sure, the whole team will do well at these competitions.

Do you feel you’re mature enough to conquer the Abu Dhabi title this year?

I think so. I’m more mature and comfortable with six-minute matches; I can impose a good rhythm. But I know it will be a high-level championship. We’re all ready for it. I’d like to thank everyone who supported me for these tryouts, the whole crew at Armory CheckMat.

Bochecha on Braga Neto's back / Foto: John Lamonica

In the under-92 kg division, Kevin Casey took top spot. Kron Gracie and Rômulo Barral didn’t face off in the under-83 kg decider. Both went into the match on the back of submission wins, but Rômulo felt pain in his knee – the same knee that kept him out of the World 2010 final against Roger Gracie.

In the under-74 kg division, Zak Maxwell qualified, while Caio Terra again trampled all his opponents to take the under-65 kg division.

The Las Vegas tryouts were produced by Abu Dhabi Pro, a company run by black belt Fernando Paradeda. The next two events will be the San Diego tryouts, on March 5 and 6, and the ones in Gramado, on March 19 and 20. Find out more at www.abudhabiprojj.com.

Demente at World Pro 2010 / Photo: Luca Atalla

Another juggernaut is guaranteed at the Las Vegas tryouts for the Abu Dhabi World Pro. A black belt standout at major events and winner of the World Pro 2010, having beaten Gabriel Vella in the decider, Ricardo “Demente” Abreu joins virtuosos like Kron Gracie, Rômulo Barral, Antonio Braga Neto, Caio Terra, João Assis, and Marcel Fortuna among others.

The event takes place this Saturday (29) at Sports Center Las Vegas. And this Thursday is the last day to sign up. To secure your place and chance to fly to Abu Dhabi with all expenses paid, sign up now by clicking here.

Photo: publicity

This Thursday marks the deadline to sign up for the World Pro tryouts in Las Vegas. Monsters of the mat like Kron Gracie, Rômulo Barral, Antonio Braga Neto, Caio Terra, João Assis, Marcel Fortuna and others are confirmed for the event to take place at Sports Center Las Vegas.

Besides the thirteen winners earning all-expenses-paid trips to the World Pro in Abu Dhabi, the winner of the No-Gi absolute division will also get a paid trip to the No-Gi main event. There are also cash prizes for the adult, advanced (master and senior), and No-Gi divisions. It’s worth noting that the three Abu Dhabi tryouts produced by black belt Fernando Paradeda all feature No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu and advanced divisions.

The next tryouts thereafter will be on March 5 and 6 in San Diego and in Gramado on March 19 and 20.

For further information on the three and to sign up, visit www.abudhabiprojj.com.

Barral in absolute semifinal at Worlds against Xande / Foto: Ivan Trindade

Following confirmation Kron Gracie is in, another top-tier black belt has guaranteed his presence at the Fernando Paradeda-promoted Abu Dhabi World Pro tryouts to take place January 29 at Las Vegas’s Sports Center arena.

“I’m impressed by how well sign-ups have been going, the event’s going to go off! Now Rômulo Barral is in. His knee has recovered and he’ll make his return to the mat at the Vegas tryouts. A guarantee of good Jiu-Jitsu!” says Paradeda in celebration.

Sign-ups end January 27. However, anyone who signs up by the 18th will receive a discouunt.

Paradeda is also organizing the tryouts in Gramado, Brazil, which begin March 19, and in San Diego (March 6), for which sign-ups are open until February 1st. The three events produced by the black belt boast a number of differences setting them apart from other World Pro tryouts: they will also feature a No-Gi contest (worth a trip to Abu Dhabi) and parallel events for kids and master- and senior-category athletes. In all, from each tryout, thirteen champions will earn all-expenses-paid trips to the main event, in Abu Dhabi, not to mention the money prizes. In all, the rewards from each tryout come to a total of 80 thousand dollars. The events will also be broadcast live.

To find out more about the Las Vegas, San Diego, and Gramado tryouts, click here.

Kron in mount at European Open 2009 / Photo: GRACIEMAG archives

Sign-ups for the Abu Dhabi World Pro tryouts in Las Vegas end January 27, however, anyone to sign up by the 18th will get a discount. A number of top fighters have already secured places for themselves at the Las Vegas Sports Center, like black belt Antonio Braga Neto. And event organizer Fernando Paradeda confirmed that there’s another stalwart submission artist to enter the mix:

“We’re going full blast over here and folks are signing up, so many that some of the divisions are almost out of berths. Among those signed up is Kron Gracie. Kron is one of the standouts to see action here,” he says.

Paradeda is also organizing the tryouts in Gramado, Brazil, to kick off March 19, and in San Diego, on March 6, with registration beginning on February 1. The three events produced by the black belt have a number of differences setting them apart from the other tryouts: they will include No-Gi disputes, a kids tournament, and a tournament for the master and senior competitors. In all, thirteen champions from each qualifying event will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to the main event in Abu Dhabi, not to mention the prize money. In all, each qualifier will pay a total of $80,000 in prizes to participants. The events will also be broadcast live. Sign up now!

To find out all there is to know about the Las Vegas, San Diego, and Gramado qualifiers, click here.