Fighter

With most people in the Jiu-Jitsu world off for the holidays to rest before the start of the new year (and new competition season), there are no major events for the remainder of 2019. Let us skip ahead to January 2020 and see what's on the agenda!

Up first is Fight 2 Win with not 1 but 3 cards scheduled. F2W 134 is set to kick off on Friday, Jan.10th in Scottsdale, Arizona. F2W 135 is in Sacramento, California on Saturday, Jan. 18th. The third event of the month is F2W 136 which goes down in Los Angeles, California Friday, Jan. 24th. All cards are yet to be announced but, we would expect F2W to kick off the new year with some awesome matchups as always.

The largest Jiu-Jitsu event of the year is going to begin on Monday, Jan. 20th and ending Sunday, Jan.26th. The IBJJF Europeans are set to run 7 days straight of competition. Each year it not only attracts the most competitors but also many of the best. With many interesting matchups, competitors at new belt levels after the end of year graduations. You also have competitors going after it at different weight divisions then they may normally compete at. Last year we saw Lucas Lepri enter the open class, he took out two ultra heavyweights on his way to the finals where he was stopped by Atos ace Gustavo Batista.

The last event to keep an eye on this coming January is the Jitzking Miami card on Jan.24th. This is a newer promotion but, they already have a couple of interesting superfights lined up.10th Planet stud Richie “Boogeyman” Martinez vs Cyborg blackbelt Enrico Cocco and Vagner Rocha faces off against William Tackett. Rocha needs no introduction, Tackett has been slowly making a name for himself. He had a great showing on the BJJ Fanatics card in November. He picked up some major wins and was by far the lightest competitor in the Grand Prix. Still a teenager and a purple belt, big things are in his future.

We are looking forward to the start of another great year of Jiu Jitsu in 2020

 

 

For this week's technique, ADCC veteran Ross Nicholls breaks down the basics of the outside heel hook from the single leg x guard. Give this one a try in training (only if your gym allows heel hooks!) and let us know what you think!

Who Is Ross Nicholls?

Ross is a Welsh-born martial artist, starting his journey into martial arts at age 6 with Aikido. He progressed into Grappling and Jiu-Jitsu with Kevin Knox who was a purple belt at the time. Ross would leave Wales one year into his training to pursue a biomedical science degree in London. Here Ross continued his training under Roger Gracie and Cesar Lima. In 2014, the pair awarded him his black belt. 

Accomplishments

ADCC European Champion, 3x Polaris Superfight winner, IBJFF No-Gi British National Champion Ross has been known in the European circuit for many years as a top Lightweight competitor and submission hunter. He holds wins over top competitors such as Mateusz Gamrot, Gianni Grippo, Nathan Orchard, Tommi Pulkkanen, Oliver Lovell and Darragh O’Conaill.

 

We hope you enjoy the technique! Thank you to our partner, The Grapple Club for providing this slick submission. Keep an eye out for next week's technique.

 

 

World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship

Over the past 4 days at the Anaheim Convention Center, Jiu Jitsu competitors from around the world competed for the title of 2019 No Gi World Champion. These past 2 days saw athletes challenge for the coveted titles in the Black Belt Adult Male and Female divisions. Here are some big storylines coming out of the weekend.

Thalison Soares announces his arrival to black belt- In his first major event as a black belt Thalison submitted his way to the final where he faced a seasoned veteran in Rodnei Barbosa. In a tight match, Thalison showed his gamesmanship and mat awareness winning 4-2

 Johnny Tama navigates a tough bracket to gold- Lightweight is always one of the most challenging divisions each event, No Gi Worlds was no exception. Tama brought his exciting style and went after each opponent during his matches this weekend. Tama has yet to have a breakout year at black belt, we saw flashes of brilliance this weekend. We could see a big 2020 for Tama.

Victor Hugo vs Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu- These two squared off against each twice over the weekend. First, they faced off in semifinal of Ultra-Heavyweight. Cyborg scored a last second advantage off a guard pass attempt for the victory. The second round would be contested for the Open Class title, this time the match would end much faster. Hugo pulled right from the start with Cyborg moving around the outside looking for an opportunity to jump past the sitting guard of Hugo. With just under a minute into the match Hugo sucked in a leg clamped in a tight knee bar forcing the tap.

Talita Alencar wins a scrappy match at Featherweight-  Alencar squared off with Heather Raftery in the final of the Featherweight division. Both are known for their aggressive and scrappy styles. In a heated affair, Alencar’s guard proved to be the difference. This win was her 3rd No Gi world title at black belt.

Jessica Flowers takes home double gold-  After two wins in the Open Class Flowers was awarded the gold medal in a closeout with teammate Kendall Refusing ( they all closeout super heavy).

See below for full black belt results:

Team Results:

Adult Male

1 - Alliance - 64

2 - Gracie Barra - 56

3 - Atos Jiu-Jitsu - 53

Adult Female

1 - CheckMat - 60

2 - Atos Jiu-Jitsu - 45

3 - Gracie Barra - 44

 

Adult Male Black Belt

 

Adult / Male / Black / Rooster

1 - Thalison Vitorino Soares - Cicero Costha Internacional

2 - Rodnei Barbosa Gabriel Junior - Qatar BJJ

3 - Marko Tapani Oikarainen - Hilti BJJ Turku

3 - Nobuhiro Sawada - Tri-Force Jiu-Jitsu Academy

 

Adult / Male / Black / Light-Feather

1 - Hiago George Santos Silva - Cicero Costha Internacional

2 - João Ricardo Bordignon Miyao - Cicero Costha Internacional

3 - Anthony Guy De Oliveira - Werdum Combat Team France

3 - Edwin Ocasio - Unity Jiu-jitsu

 

Adult / Male / Black / Feather

1 - Alexssandro Pinto Sodré - Nova União

2 - João Gabriel Batista de Sousa - ZR Team Association

3 - Cole Thomas Franson - R1NG BJJ

3 - Gabriel Marangoni de Oliveira - Brasa CTA

 

Adult / Male / Black / Light

1 - Johnny Joachin Tama Apolinario - Alliance International

2 - Ygor dos Santos Rodrigues - CT MR

3 - Athos Ribeiro de Miranda - Alliance

3 - Fabio Murat Caloi - Alliance

 

Adult / Male / Black / Middle

1 - Dante Leon - GF Team

2 - Jaime Soares Canuto - GF Team

3 - Felipe Cesar Silva - Unity Jiu-jitsu

3 - Jeferson Guaresi - Unity Jiu-jitsu

 

Adult / Male / Black / Medium-Heavy

1 - Manuel Ribamar V. de Oliveira Filho - Rodrigo Pinheiro BJJ

2 - Gabriel Salles Muniz Almeida - CheckMat

3 - Jose Mathias Macedo de Lira Luna - CheckMat

3 - Rafael Lopes Paganini - Alliance

 

Adult / Male / Black / Heavy

1 - Adam Wardzinski - CheckMat

2 - Jackson Sousa dos Santos - CheckMat

3 - Fellipe Ubaiz Trovo - Gracie Barra

 

Adult / Male / Black / Super-Heavy

1 - Vinicius Ferreira Gazola - Alliance

2 - Eliot Andrew Kelly - Yemaso Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

3 - Frederic Vosgröne - Carlson Gracie Team

3 - Marcelo Gomide Oliveira - Gracie Barra

 

Adult / Male / Black / Ultra-Heavy

1 - Roberto de Abreu Filho - Fight Sports

2 - James Richard Puopolo - Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu

3 - Fernando Camôles Ribas - Demian Maia Jiu-Jitsu

3 - Victor Hugo Costa Marques - Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu

 

Adult / Male / Black / Open Class

1 - Victor Hugo Costa Marques - Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu

2 - Roberto de Abreu Filho - Fight Sports

3 - Marcelo Gomide Oliveira - Gracie Barra

 

Adult Black Belt Female

 Adult / Female / Black / Rooster

1 - Mayssa Caldas Pereira Bastos - GF Team

2 - Amber Rymarz-freitas - Gracie Barra

 

Adult / Female / Black / Light-Feather

1 - Amanda Monteiro Canuto - GF Team

2 - Patrícia Magalhães Machado - Brazilian Top Team

3 - Fiona M. Watson - Notorious Mixed Martial Arts

 

 Adult / Female / Black / Feather

1 - Ana Talita de Oliveira Alencar - Alliance

2 - Heather H. Raftery - Atos Jiu-Jitsu

3 - Gabriela Meireles Fechter - CheckMat

3 - Karen Deisy Antunes Girotto Borges - CheckMat

 

Adult / Female / Black / Light

1 - Nathalie Wan Soares Veras Ribeiro - CheckMat

2 - Jena Rae Bishop - Alliance

3 - Hannah Sharp - Silver Fox BJJ

3 - Nicole Sullivan - Atos Jiu-Jitsu

 

Adult / Female / Black / Middle

1 - Raquel Dayne Kaleialoha Paaluhi - CheckMat

2 - Jaqueline de Moraes Amorim Ramos - CheckMat

3 - Gabrielle McComb Lima - Gracie Humaita

3 - Hannah Katharina Rauch - Gracie Humaita

 

Adult / Female / Black / Medium-Heavy

1 - Vedha Clemente Toscano - CheckMat

2 - Julia Boscher Seixas Pinto - Double Five

3 - Andressa Mezari Cintra - Gracie Barra

3 - Thamara Ferreira Silva - Cicero Costha Internacional

 

Adult / Female / Black / Heavy

1 - Talita Andrea Nogueira - Ns Brotherhood

2 - Elizabeth Foster - Cassio Werneck BJJ

3 - Jessica Guedry - Soul Fighters BJJ

3 - Veronica Macedo Fernandez - Mako Team Paris

 Adult / Female / Black / Super-Heavy

1 - Kendall Marie Reusing - Gracie Barra

2 - Jessica da Silva Oliveira - Gracie Barra

3 - Tammy M Griego - Gracie Barra BJJ

Adult / Female / Black / Open Class

1 - Jessica da Silva Oliveira - Gracie Barra

2 - Kendall Marie Reusing - Gracie Barra

3 - Gabrielle McComb Lima - Gracie Humaita

3 - Heather H. Raftery - Atos Jiu-Jitsu

 

World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship

 Yesterday we saw the first champions crowned in the Blue Belt adult male and female, Purple Belt female and Purple Belt masters divisions at this year’s edition of the No-Gi World Championship. Today Brown Belt male and female and Black Belts masters 1 and 2 take to the mats. On Saturday and Sunday, the remaining divisions will go including the Black Belt adults. Let’s take a look at some of the storylines heading into the weekend:

 Adult Male Black Belt

Black Belt Male Roosterweight

Thalison Soares debuts at his first black belt world championship. After one of the most incredible runs at the colored belts, winning the IBJJF Grand slam three years in a row ( Euros, Pan, Brazilian Nationals and Worlds) Thalison was promoted to the black belt by his coach Cicero Costha. Thalison recently relocated to Australia where he opened his own academy. He will be heavily favorited to pick up his first title. Tri Force’s Nobuhiro Sawada was the champion in 2018 and will look to defend his title. We could see a showdown between the two in the Finals on Sunday.

Black Belt Male Lightweight

Both finalists from last year will not be competing this year, leaving the division open for a new champion.  Lachlan Giles who recently took 3rd in the open class at ADCC after going on a historic run, submitting 3 larger opponents. He has made the trip from Australia to go after his first black belt world title. Veterans Rodrigo Freitas, Samir Chantre among others will be present.  Frederico Silva and Rodrigo Freitas both walked away with a bronze last year and will look to improve upon their performance this year.

Black Belt Male Middleweight

Do not miss this division! Absolutely stacked with the likes of Dante Leon, Felipe Silva, Jaime Canuto, Sebastian Brosche, and Otavio Sousa.  Dante has had a breakout year so far and will want to end it with a world title next to his name. He took 3rd last year after falling an advantage short to Hugo Marquez in the semifinal Jaime is returning this year after taking 2nd last year, Otavio will be present and is always favorite whenever he competes. Watch for 1 of these 3 to take home the gold medal.

Black Belt Male Ultraheavyweight

This is the smallest male black belt division but, full of talent. Roberto “Cyborg” Abreau and Vinny Magalhaes are two legends that will be mixing up. Joining them is veteran James Puopolo and the ultra-talented Victor Hugo. This division promises to be full of some awesome takedowns as well, don’t miss it!

Adult Female Black Belt

Black Belt Female Roosterweight

 In the only match of the division, reigning Gi and No-gi champion Mayssa Bastos will face off against the 2018 brown belt world champion Amber Freitas. Mayssa took gold at this event last year at Lightfeather weight.

Black Belt Female Featherweight

3 out of 4 medalists are not returning this year, Heather Raftery is the sole returning medalist, she took bronze last year. Talita Alencar is present in the division she is a 2x No-Gi world champion, she won gold in 2016 and 2017.

Black Female Superheavy

Jessica Flower will have a by to final as she looks to defend her title. She will most likely look to enter the Absolute division where she took silver last year after falling short to Bia Mesquita by a single advantage. With Bia out this year, Jessica will be the favorite to double gold this year.

We have teamed up with The Grapple Club to bring to our blog exclusive technique content. Each week we will have techniques from world-class coaches and competitors. Showing the positions they use at the highest levels of Jiu-Jitsu, they will be sharing the details and concepts that they use to win! This week Kingz athlete Ffion Davies shares her take on the Head and Arm choke.

 

 

Give it a try this week in training and let us know what you think!