Welcome to the first Fighters Market blog post of 2020! Hope you had a great New Years and are back on the mats training hard in the new decade. Today we take a look a the IBJJF Europeans which will take place in Lisbon, Portugal and has major black belts already signed up and are ready to go for the first major event of the year. Europeans will begin on January 20th and run until the 26th, it is the largest event of the year.

Adult Male Black Belt:

Rooster:

Tomoyuki Hashimoto- is a veteran of the division, finishing 3rd place 2x at worlds (2017/2018)

Thalison Vitorino Soares- Colored belt phenom who was recently promoted to black belt. He won his first major event at black belt a few weeks ago when he took gold at No Gi worlds

Light-Feather:

Hiago George Santos Silva- 1 of 4 Cicero Costha athletes signed up on the weight, Hiago is veteran making the podium at all the major events

Feather:

Isaac Doederlein-  A black belt under Cobrinha,Brazilian Nationals Champion (2019) and World medalist (2019)

Leonardo Fernandes Saggioro- 2x Brazilian Nationals Champion and 2x World silver medalist

João Gabriel Batista de Sousa- #1 ranked UAEJJ athlete 2018-2019

Light

Vitor Henrique Silva Oliveira- 3x Masters World champion and 2x World Championship Medalist

Middle

Ronaldo Pereira de Souza Júnior-2x World champion at the colored belts ( 2019/2018)

Max Leonard Lindblad- Swedish born veteran

Medium-Heavy

Devhonte M. Johnson- A black belt under Murilo Santa with 3rd place finishes at No Gi worlds and No Gi Pans

Heavy

Dimitrius Soares Souza- 4x Brazilian Nationals Champion, European Champion, Pan American Champion and 2x World Championship Medalist

Jackson Sousa dos Santos- World Championship silver medalist and 4x No Gi World Championship medalist

Adam Wardzinski- Many time UAEJJ medalist and Pan American Silver medalist (2019)

Keenan Kai-James Cornelius - 3x Pan American champion, European champion and World Championship medalist

Super-Heavy 

Patrick Pontes Moura Santos Gaudio - Pan American champion and 2x World Championship medalist

Adult Female Black Belt

Rooster 

Mayssa Caldas Pereira Bastos- World champion, No Gi World champion, European champion, Pan American champion

Light-Feather

Ana Talita de Oliveira Alencar- World champion and 3x No Gi World champion

Feather

Bianca Barbosa Basilio- UAEJJ Grand Slam champion, ADCC champion (2019) and World Championship medalist

Light

Ffion Eira Davies- European champion, Brazilian Nationals champion, World medalist and ADCC medalist

Medium-Heavy

Claudia Fernanda Onofre Valim Doval- 3x World champion

The registration deadline in January 11th until then keep your eye on any late entries. The divisions are already filled with talent so we can look forward to another exciting event

Learn this slick counter to the Under/ Over pass with Darragh O'Conaill:

• Balistico 3.0 Black Ops

The design is based off the extremely popular Balistico 2.0, this updated version kept what made the 2.0 awesome and refreshed the look. The team here loved it as well as the Kingz competition team, most of the Kingz athletes could be seen wearing this Kimono during competitions

• Progress White Label 2.0 Shorts

The 2.0 version of Progress’s original No Gi Shorts, they have a really nice fit and look. Perfect for the No Gi grappler.

• Maeda Red Label

Super light weight with a modern take on a classic look. This basic straight    forward Kimono is a great add to any gi collection

• Choke Republic- Submit or Die

The name says it all…. But seriously Choke Republic came out with some great T-shirts this year, this was one of our favorites.

• Kingz KGZ Rashguard- Orange Rashguard

Straightforward but unique design. Fits amazingly. Classic Kingz and we loved it!

2020 promises to be a great year in the world of Jiu Jitsu gis, rashguards, shorts and apparel. 

As the year comes to an end, we are happy to still have new gear for you! Check out what’s new on Fighters Market below:

Loyal

Loyal Defender Jiu Jitsu Gi

The Defender represents the Loyal brand well, clean straightforward design and high quality durability. Preshrunk, 100% Cotton Gi, the jacket is made from 400 GSM Pearl Weave. The pants are 10 oz Cotton with double reinforced knee padding. Built for the toughest training rooms and competition mats. This gi won’t let you down (or break the bank!).

Loyal Defender

Kingz

Kingz KGZ- Orange Edition

This line includes a long sleeve rashguard and shorts. Featuring classic Kingz design, built for comfort and ease of movement. This line keeps in touch with the Kingz snug athletic fit, made from a durable polyester/spandex fabric and 100% IBJJF legal.

Kingz KGZ Rashguard-Orange Edition

Kingz Kgz Shorts-Orange Edition

Kingz Static 

This No Gi line features shorts and rashguard. Including the best of Kingz durability, fit and look.

Kingz Static Rashguard

Kingz Static Shorts

2020 is right over the horizon, you better believe we will have TONS of new and unique items coming out for you. We just hope you ready.....

This week's edition of Technique Tuesday sponsored by The Grapple Club features Kam Atakuru. In this video, Kam breaks down a position that he adapted from his extensive wrestling background. Check out the "Dagestani Handcuff Hammer", read more about Kam below and let us know what you think!

Background

Considered as one of the best grapplers to come from the North of England, Kam has experience in MMA, Grappling, Wrestling, Catch Wrestling, and BJJ. His current role is the head coach of ASW Manchester. His father put him into football at an early age, Kam took to it right away. He focused on football as a youth, playing to a high level. As he progressed he began to look for different outlets when a friend introduced him to JKD and Muay Thai. In the same facility, there was a group that was starting to train BJJ in the Gi. Kam tried it out and he has not looked back since.

Grappling Game

“ I want to have the best guard game that the world has never seen.” is a favorite quote. Kam is known for being an explosive wrestler, an expert from the top position and a nasty submission artist. He has been focused on how to connect the standing work to the mat work for a long time, as well as understanding how to blend and combine techniques from varieties grappling styles. The result is Kam has very unique (and brutal) style of grappling which he has used to break opponents on the grappling mat and in the cage. In recent years he has been passing this style along to his students of having seen much success in every competition setting.