This Carnival will not be like that last one, especially not the one of 1996.
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.
