“I’ve been making it to the podium at the biggest IBJJF competitions ever since 1999 without fail, but I feel it’s about time for the next big leap in my career, and what I want most is to recover my post of being number one. At the last Worlds, I feel I lost to Rafael Mendes on a trifle, in a great match, and I want to intensify my focus on competition,” said Mário, this year’s gold medalist and a two-time world champion (2003/2004).

Speaking kindly of and thankful to Carlos Gracie Jr. and Marcio Feitosa, “for all they have done for me,” the featherweight also had words of praise for Gracie Barra’s champions, but lamented the fact it was impossible to always have them together on the same mat.

“The guys at Gracie Barra are strong as ever but they’re spread out all around the place, and I feel the need to be at an academy where it’s competition time all the time. I fulfilled a dream by competing for Gracie Barra and training with guys like Marcio Feitosa, Bráulio Estima, Roger Gracie, Rômulo Barral, Phillipe Furão, Lucio Lagarto, Jefferson Moura, Victor Estima, Otávio Sousa and so many other people,” he listed.

“The guys are awesome. But it’s becoming harder and harder for everyone to train together, and in São Paulo I feel I can find that. I want to focus on championships, and it will be a new phase for me; I feel this is what I need at this stage in my career. I’ve been at the top tier ever since 1999, and I feel spending time with Gurgel and the group at Alliance will put me back at the top,” explained Reis, who will be dividing his training between São Paulo and Porto Alegre.

“I’m grateful to GB for the kindness and support; I have no complaints about anyone there, but I hope they understand that this is something I need to do. I’m looking at my Gracie Barra gi and feel like I’m part of the family, but unfortunately time has come for me to be honest with myself and fully focus on competition,” said Mário in closing.

Roger Gracie just lost the absolute final, with an armbar firmly in place, to Ronaldo Jacaré, who didn’t quit and left the encounter as champ. After that there was still the weight group final against phenom stifler Rodrigo Comprido. The outcome of this saga was Roger’s first title, as you will recall here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49cFDBFL_lA

Everybody loves them. But don’t be fooled, a sporting contest is won on defense.

To come, GRACIEMAG, the website that most prizes self-defense on the planet, pays tribute to some of the sport’s monster defenders. Which is the best defensive display from the selection below?

Rodolfo Rodriguez, Santos goalkeeper (Campeonato Paulista 1984)

Roger Gracie and Marcelinho Garcia, fighters (Worlds 2004)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3hfXYoshzk

New Orleans Saints, NFL team (Super Bowl 2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3L09liVopc

Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls forward (from 1987 to 1998)

Yuki Nakai, fighter (Vale-Tudo Japan Open 1995)

If your academy is going to be there, send us in the good news.

For now, take a look back at some moments from the Worlds of years past. Do you remember this featherweight final between Mário Reis and Frédson Paixão from 2004, for example?

Now which was the most unforgettable Worlds to you, dear reader? Leave your comment for us below, and help us make this year’s coverage unforgettable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mazmvIU9WWY