In the following interview taken shortly after the grand opening, Leandro discusses his plans, history, and future for the Fight Zone USA/Check-Mat organizations in the US.

Kevin Howell: Leandro, first off, what is Fight Zone?

Leandro Vieira: The first Fight Zone was created by my brother Ricardo in Rio de Janeiro. Ricardo’s goal was to incorporate different martial arts styles into his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program so that his athletes could do well in either grappling or MMA. The academy became very successful in competition in Rio and later, Ricardo’s students opened up Fight Zone academies in Sweden under Ricardo’s black belt, Alan “Finfou” Nascimento. Now, Ricardo has tasked me with opening up the North American headquarters in Long Beach (actually Signal Hill, California to be precise).

KH: Are you a member of Team Check-Mat?

LV: For sure! I am a Vieira and I am always with my brothers. Our academy is Fight Zone, but we represent Check-Mat in all the tournaments, just like all of the other Fight Zones. Right now, I am trying to organize the Check-Mat team in the US. In Brazil, it is very organized and everybody is on the same page with training, competitions, and support. Now, I am here to do the same for Check-Mat in the US.

This is part of the reason we chose Long Beach for our headquarters. We are close to all of the major championships and now we have a home for our national and international Check-Mat/Fight Zone competitors for competition training and clinics. This is good for the team and hopefully you will see us at the top of the podium next time.

KH: Tell me about your history. How did you get started in jiu-jitsu?

LV: My father loved samurai and kung-fu movies and he put all three of us (me, Leo and Ricardo) to training when we were kids. At the time, my mother did not like us playing on the streets so she encouraged us to be in the academy too. I was so young that I do not even remember starting, but I was probably around five years old. Leo started first, then Ricardo, and then me, but like I said, I don’t even remember, because all of my memories are in the gi.

It’s funny, I didn’t start jiu-jitsu because I wanted to go, but it was like my school schedule. I knew that everyday I should go to school and go to the academy. I thought it was normal. I liked it. There were other kids in the class and I remember Otavio “Ratinho” Couto, Romero “Jacare” Cavalcante, and Ricardo “Franjinha” Miller were our kids teachers. They were my first instructors in jiu-jitsu and they really made it fun. We would play a lot and they used to call me “Resadinha” because I used to laugh a lot. I’m lucky to have had a great start in jiu-jitsu.

KH: What was it like growing up with Leo and Ricardo in the academy? Were you competitive with each other?

LV: Not really, Leo started first and he would always come home and teach me and Ricardo. I think this kept him in the older brother and coach role. I’m also five years younger than Leo, so he was definitely the big brother, even though I’m taller than him now! (laughs) I was more competitive with Ricardo than Leo, probably because we are closer in age, but he is still my big brother too, so he would always kill me.

Even today, I’ve had the chance to train with the best black belts from Alliance, Master, Brasa, and Check-Mat, and my brothers are still the ones that surprise me the most. They’ve always been my best coaches. Ricardo gave me his guard and Leo gave me his passing. Too bad, they know their guards and passes, so this makes training with them impossible!

KH: You’re a former jiu-jitsu champ (Brasileiro, Paulista, Mundials bronze, etc). Any plans to return to competition?

LV: For sure. Now my focus is different than before. I work only with jiu-jitsu and now I have the time to work hard for competition. In Brazil, I had to split my attention with many things, but moving to the US lets me focus on teaching and fighting. I will have more time to train with some of our black belts in the US, guys like “Pantcho”, “Lapela”, Lucas Leite, Marcel Louzado, Nivaldo Oliveira, Rodrigo Ranieiri, and Joao Assis, and get ready to compete again. I like to compete and you will see me on the mats again soon.

KH: What are your future plans with the VB team social project?

LV: Not too many people know this, but VB team refers to Ricardo’s social project in the Cantagalo pavao favela in Rio. This is the project that Terere started and gave to Ricardo when he moved to Sao Paulo. Today, Ricardo is the head instructor where he teaches hundreds of impoverished kids and teens for free. He uses donated kimonos and his own time. Because of this, Ricardo will always stay in Rio. He is bonded to those kids.

I want to do something similar in Long Beach. We are close to South Central Los Angeles and we have a lot of people that could use some help here. This is one of the reasons why I will have some free seminars from time to time. Sure it helps people know us, but it also spreads jiu-jitsu to those that need it. This is one of the goals for both me and you at Fight Zone USA. The school is growing up so fast, and we hope to start our LA VB team (social project) very soon.

KH: Tell us about your students in the US. How are you adapting to teaching Americans versus Brazilians?

LV: I like being here, because Americans are thirsty for good instruction. This makes it easy to teach here. Everything I have shown my students so far is absorbed very fast. This makes my job easy and fun. The secret is in having a great method of instruction and luckily my brothers have created the best. As far as day to day teaching, I do not change my method between teaching Brazilians and Americans, I only change the language. Soon we will see some of these guys competing and you will understand what I am talking about.

KH: What is the deal with the mustache choke?

LV: It is a joke we make in the academy while we are training. It makes the rolling a little more friendly and guys are always laughing as they try to defend or submit with “Bigode”! Here’ s a tip – tap early, but never tap to the mustache! (laughs)

KH: Anything else?

LV: Just come down and become a part of our headquarters academy! We have an incredible school and I teach every class . We have a great team of staff and students here already. We also have the best judo program with Josh and Juan. We are really lucky to have them on our staff, come tournament time, look out for our throws and jiu-jitsu! (laughs) The school is beautiful, professional, and all our students are friendly and interested in getting better. One thing I need to say, if you come to the school, be ready to have fun. This is Brazilian style BJJ and this means having fun.

To our international Check-Mat fighters – we will be welcoming Check-Mat/Fight Zone members soon for the no-gi worlds and there will be clinics and workshops to make sure you are all ready for success!

To my friends and students in Brazil – I know you will read this, so keep training, because when I visit you next time, I will kill you all! Oiiieeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Here’s the contact info for the academy:
Fight Zone USA
1860 Obispo Ave. Ste E
Signal Hill, CA 90755
562-498-3600
www.fightzoneusa.com

Visit www.onthemat.com for more articles.

At the 2008 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship Rafael Mendes won the featherweight division, at brown belt. The following year the Atos representative quickly went on to figure among the top of the black belt heap, showing he doesn’t feel the weight of his new belt level. The latest big conquest was the ADCC, in Barcelona. After overcoming established beasts like Leonardo Vieira and Rubens Cobrinha, he snatched the gold medal in his very first outing in the event. The fighter teaches his recipe for success:

1st requisite: train, train and train

“The secret to my quick evolution is in training. The more effort we put in, the quicker we get to where we want to be. If we stick to the rules and do everything right, we make it.”

2nd requisite: to believe

“It’s important to believe. If you have faith in yourself, you’ll make it to wherever you want to be. When I go into a fight I don’t think how I’m facing a big name, I think of how I have in front of me someone of flesh and bone like me and that there are no superheroes. I know I can go in and win and if I believe in myself it is possible. So that’s where your head has to be to win.

3rd requisite: do it with love

“When we do things for love they come out right. I trained hard, and only by putting in a maximum of effort do we manage to achieve things.”

4th requisite: keep rivalries on the mat

“I don’t know about Cobrinha (opponent in final), but to me our rivalry is only on the mat. When I go in to compete, I forget who I’m fighting. I go in there to do my job and practice what I trained. I hope that to him it’s that way too. I’m really happy with the win, I trained four times a day for it.

Visit GracieMag for more articles.

“The ADCC is a house I helped build more than 10 years ago. I have two titles, two second places and one third, in 30 matches and 11 overtimes. To me that mission is accomplished, now it is to be a coach. We have a UFC belt in our sites, we have Alexandre in Japan trying for the belt and University of Jiu-Jitsu with worldwide visibility,” he said.

In Jiu-Jitsu Saulo won five Worlds, in four separate categories. Unless he changes his plans, he will also never again be seen in this event.

“The gi will always be recreation to me. I don’t compete more professionally, I no longer have the desire in my heart to compete at a Worlds. But I certainly will show up at the championships, like I did last week, when I competed at the American Nationals at weight and in the absolute master. Just for kicks, if it’s not in the professional category, it’s fine. I don’t need to be so well trained for that and it is always good to see old friends and catch up. Jiu-Jitsu championships are really just a big party.”

Saulo gave Rômulo Barral a hard time in Barcelona / Ivan Trindade.

At the Barcelona installment of the ADCC Saulo defeated Kouji Kanechika, Romulo Barral and stopped at Fabricio Werdum. Adfter losing the third-place dispute to Jeff Monson, he announced his farewell over the event’s official microphone. Now an option may be to help the organization.

“The importance of the ADCC in my career is total. I believe I’ve been one of the big champions of the event and now I’m the one who has disputed the most categories. So it is of enormous importance to my life. I will probably enter the administrative part of the ADCC now, I’ll help put together trials and I’m really happy.”

Visit graciemag.com for other news.

Jacare beat Drysdale 2-0 inADCC Superfight

If you did not already know, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, beat Robert Drysdale in the recent ADCC Superfight. The match lasted all 20 minutes, and after his 2-0 win, Souza will now be defending his title in 2011 ADCC. The two time champion did an interview with tatame.com in Barcelona after his victory.

How did you feel on the return to ADCC?

I felt really great. Even far away from competitions, I know I have potential to make a big fight with who was the best of the year (2007) when was absolute champion on ADCC, and I came to show that, even standing still, you saw me fighting 20 minutes. Unfortunately we haven’t many positions, but wasn’t because of me.

You’ve trained with Drysdale before, at Randy Couture’s gym. How was to face him on ADCC?

I’m a Judo man, I’ve fought with train partner before and fight with a guy who was absolute champion is cool. I trained for a little time with him, I admire him, he’s an excellent person and athlete, but besides fighting, I needed it. It’s been 11 months that there’s no money on my account (laughs). I wanted to send a message: Dream didn’t pay me yet.

This victory motivates you to fight on Jiu-Jitsu again or on Submission?

Unfortunately, you won’t see me on Jiu-Jitsu nor Submission. I’m Strikeforce’s employee and I want to thank Strikeforce to let me do the ADCC fight. I want to thank ADCC to give me this credit, I could make the super fight.

10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is having a seminar is Wilmington, DE on  October 17th. Starting time is 1pm through 4pm. Scott Epstein is one of Eddie Bravo’s top students. Don’t miss the seminar, pre-registration available, or sign-up at the door!

For more information contact Kevin of 10thPJJ Bear, DE: kevin.m.green1@gmail.com or ttcombatsports.com

Here are the results from Day 2 of ADCC action.

Fabricio Werdum v Saulo Ribeiro – Werdum by ref decision 2 OT

Jeff Monson v Robert Abreu – Abreu by ref decision 2 OT

Xande Ribeiro vs Vinny Magalhaes – Xande by points 4 x 0 OT

Gerard Rinaldi vs Glover Teixeira – Rinaldi by points 5 x 0 OT

Andre Galvao vs David Avellan – Galvao by points 2 x 0

Braulio Estima vs Rafael Lovato – Braulio by submission foot lock

Marcelo Garcia vs K-Taro Nakamura – Garcia by choke

Rubens Cobrinha vs Rani Yahia – Charles by submission – Kimura

Pablo Popovitch vs Gregor Gracie – Pablo by points 3 x 0

Leo vieira vs Rafael Mendes – Mendes by sub choke OT

Penny thomas v Cristiane Cyborg – Thomas by points -2 x -1 OT

Hillary Williams vs Sayaka Shioda – Shioda by Submission arm-lock

Rosangela Conceicao v Hannette Staack – Staack by Judges Decision 2 OT

Luana Allzuguir vs Laurence Cousin – Alzuguir by choke 2 OT

3rd Place Matches:

Over 99KG – Jeff Monson vs Saulo Ribeiro – Monson by Judges Decision 2 OT

Under 99KG – Vinny Magalhaes v Glover Teixeira – Magalhaes by submission arm-lock

Under 88KG – Rafael Lovato vs David Avellan – Avelan by sub foot-lock

Under 77KG – Gregor Gracie vs K-taro Nakamura – Gracie by pts 10 x 0

Under 66KG – Jeff Glover vs Ryan Hall (Vieira and yahia out with injuries) – Hall by pts 3 x 2

Ladies Under 60KG – Laurence Cousin v Hillary Williams – Williams by pts

Ladies Over 60KG – Cristiane Cyborg vs Rosangela conceicao – Cristiane Cyborg by judges Decision

Finals:

Over 99Kg – Fabricio Werdum vs Roberto Cyborg – werdum by pts 9 (-4) x 0

Under 99KG – Xande ribeiro vs Gerardi Rinaldi – Xande by points 2 x 0

Under 88KG – Braulio Estima vs Andre Galvao – Braulio by submission triangle

Under 77KG – Pablo Popovitch vs Marcelo Garcia – Popovitch by points 3(-1) x 2(-1)

Under 66KG – Rubens cahrles vs Rafael Mendes – Mendes by pts 7 x 4 2OT

Ladies Over 60KG – Penny Thomas vs Hannette Staack – Staack by submission knee-bar

Under 60KG – Luana Alzuguir v Sayaka Shioda – Alzuguir by pts 3 x 0

Absolute:

Marcelo Garcia v Bruno Bastos – Garcia by submission choke OT

Braulio Estima v Janne Pekka Pietilainen – Brualio by submission arm-lock

Dean Lister v Vinny Magalhaes – Magalhaes by Judges Decision 2OT

Chris Weidman v Antoine Jaoude

Ricco Rodrigues v Xande Ribeiro – xande byy submission key-lock

Andre Galvao v Tom de Blass – Galvao by pts 3 x 0

Jeff Monson v  Gunnar Nelson – Nelson by pts 3 x 0 2 OT

Roberto abreu v David Avellan – Avelan by Judges decision 2 OT

Quarter Finals:

Marcelo Garcia v Braulio Estima - Braulio by sub choke

Vinny Magalhaes v Chris Weideman – Magalhaes by sub arm-lock

Xande Ribeiro v Andre Galvao – Xande by pts 3 (-1) x 0

Gunnar Nelson v David Avelan

Semi-finals:

Xande Ribeiro vs Gunnar Nelson – Xande by submission Knee-bar

Braulio Estima v Vinny Magalhaes – Braulio by pts 3 x 0

Finals:

Xande Ribeiro v Braulio Estima – Braulio by submission arm-bar

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza tops Robert Drysdale in their Superfight. Jacare,  the replacement for Roger Gracie, beat Drysdale on points 2-0. Posted below are the results from Saturdays action, and schedule for Sundays finish.

September 26, 2009 Results:

Men’s +99kg (+218 lbs.) Opening Round

• #1 – Fabricio Werdum (Brazil) def. Rogent Lloret (Spain) via kimura
• #2 – Tomasz Janiszewski (Poland) def. Antoine Jaoude (Brazil) via points
• #3 – Romulo Barral (Brazil) def. Denis Roberts (Australia) via heel hook
• #4 – Saulo Ribeiro (Brazil) def. Kouji Kanechika (Japan) via points (5-2)
• #5 – Jeff Monson (USA) def. Karol Bedorf (Poland) via points
• #6 – Janne-Pekka Pietiläinen (Finland) def. Tom Erikson (USA) via heel hook
• #7 – Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu (Brazil) def. Tom De Blass (USA) via points
• #8 – Asa Fuller (USA) def. Mike Matell (Canada) via armbar

Men’s -99kg (-218 lbs.) Opening Round

• #9 – Xande Ribeiro (Brazil) def. Ilir Latifi (Sweden) via points (2-0)
• #10 – Radek Turek (Poland) def. Rafael Davies (USA) via points
• #11 – Márcio Cruz (Brazil) def. Anthony Perosh (Australia) via points (3-0)
• #12 – Vinícius Magalhães (Brazil) def. Rodrigo Cavaca (Brazil) via leglock
• #13 – Dean Lister (USA) def. Andreas Olsen (Norway) via triangle choke
• #14 – Glover Teixeira (Brazil) def. Vesa Vuori (Finland) via points (6-0)
• #15 – Tomasz Szczerek (Poland) def. Ricco Rodriguez (USA) via poinits (4-0)
• #16 – Gerardi Rinaldi (USA) def. Yoshiyuki Nakahashi (Japan) via points

Men’s -88kg (-194 lbs.) Opening Round

• #17 – André Galvão (Brazil) def. Kassim Annan (France) via points (11-0)
• #18 – Chris Weidman (USA) def. Daniel Tabera. (Spain) via points (19-0)
• #19 – Tarsis Humphreys (Brazil) def. Igor Praporshchikov (Australia) via ref decision
• #20 – David Avellan (USA) def. Trond Saksenvik (Norway) via heel hook
• #21 – Bráulio Estima (Brazil) def. Yuji Arai (Japan) via rear-naked choke
• #22 – James Brasco (USA) def. Gunnar Nelson (Iceland) via ref decision
• #23 – Rafael Lovato Jr. (USA) def. Tom Lawlor (USA) via points (4-0)
• #24 – Bruno Bastos (Brazil) def. Jorge Santiago (Brazil) via ref decision

Men’s -77kg (-170 lbs.) Opening Round

• #25 – Marcelo Garcia (Brazil) def. Rodney Ellis (Australia) via guillotine choke
• #26 – Kron Gracie (Brazil) def. Enrico Cocco (USA) via rear-naked choke
• #27 – Marcelo “Uirapuru” Azevedo (Brazil) def. Mike Fowler (USA) via leglock
• #28 – Keita “K-Taro” Nakamura (Japan) def. Milton Vieira (Brazil)
• #29 – Pablo Popovich (Brazil) def. Don Ortega (USA) via rear-naked choke
• #30 – Ben Askren (USA) def. Toni Linden (Finland) via arm-triangle choke
• #31 – Leonardo Santos (Brazil) def. Yoshiyuki Yoshida (Japan) via points (8-0)
• #32 – Gregor Gracie (Brazil) def. Murilo Santana (Brazil) via points (3-0)

Men’s -66kg (-145 lbs.) Opening Round

• #33 – Rani Yahya (Brazil) def. Kouhei Yasumi (Japan) via rear-naked choke
• #34 – Jeff Glover (USA) def. Timo-Juhani Hirvikangas (Finland) via rear-naked choke
• #35 – Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles (Brazil) def. Hiroshi “Iron” Nakamura (Japan) via armbar
• #36 – Joel Tudor (USA) def. Nicolas Renier (France) via triangle choke
• #37 – Leo Vieira (Brazil) def. David Marinakis (Australia) via guillotine choke
• #38 – Ryan Hall (USA) def. Jeff Curran (USA) via points (5-2)
• #39 – Rafael Mendes (Brazil) def. Jayson Patino (USA) via triangle choke
• #40 – Justin Rader (USA) def. Baret Yoshida (USA) via points (7-0)

Women’s +60kg (+132 lbs.) Quarter-Finals

• #41 – Penny Thomas (USA) def. Shanti Abelha (Denmark) via points (3-0)
• #42 – Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (Brazil) def. Ida Hansson (Sweden) via points (10-0)
• #43 – Hannette Staack (Brazil) def. Hitomi Hiraiwa (Japan) via armbar
• #44 – Rosângela Conceição (Brazil) def. Lana Stephanac (USA) via ref decision

Women’s -60kg (-132 lbs.) Quarter-Finals

• #45 – Hillary Williams (USA) def. Megumi Fujii (Japan) via rear-naked choke
• #46 – Sayaka Shioda (Japan) def. Bianca Andrade (Brazil) via points
• #47 – Luanna Alzuguir (Brazil) def. Ina Steffensen (Denmark) via guillotine choke
• #48 – Ana Michelle Dantas (Brazil) def. Laurence Cousin (France)

#49 – 52 – Four “Special Matches” featuring non-bracketed Spanish athletes

Men’s +99kg (+218 lbs.) Quarter-Finals

• #53 – Fabricio Werdum (Brazil) def. Tomasz Janiszewski (Poland) via points (3-0)
• #54 – Saulo Ribeiro (Brazil) def. Romulo Barral (Brazil) via points (3-0)
• #55 – Jeff Monson (USA) def. Janne-Pekka Pietiläinen (Finland) via points
• #56 – Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu (Brazil) def. Asa Fuller (USA) via points

Men’s -99kg (-218 lbs.) Quarter-Finals

• #57 – Xande Ribeiro (Brazil) def. Radek Turek (Poland) via armbar
• #58 – Vinícius Magalhães (Brazil) def. Márcio Cruz (Brazil) via flying armbar
• #59 – Glover Teixeira (Brazil) def. Dean Lister (USA) via points
• #60 – Gerardi Rinaldi (USA) def. Tomasz Szczerek (Poland) via points

Men’s -88kg (-194 lbs.) Quarter-Finals

• #61 – André Galvão (Brazil) def. Chris Weidman (USA) via points (4-0)
• #62 – David Avellan (USA) def. Tarsis Humphreys (Brazil) via rear-naked choke
• #63 – Bráulio Estima (Brazil) def. James Brasco (USA) via ref decision
• #64 – Rafael Lovato Jr. (USA) def. Bruno Bastos (Brazil) via points

Men’s -77kg (-170 lbs.) Quarter-Finals

• #65 – Marcelo Garcia (Brazil) def. Kron Gracie (Brazil) via mounted guillotine choke
• #66 – Keita “K-Taro” Nakamura (Japan) def. Marcelo “Uirapuru” Azevedo (Brazil) via points
• #67 – Pablo Popovich (Brazil) def. Ben Askren (USA) via kneebar
• #68 – Gregor Gracie (Brazil) def. Leonardo Santos (Brazil) via points

Men’s -66kg (-145 lbs.) Quarter-Finals

• #69 – Rani Yahya (Brazil) def. Jeff Glover (USA) via points (7-0)
• #70 – Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles (Brazil) def. Joel Tudor (USA) via rear-naked choke
• #71 – Leo Vieira (Brazil) def. Ryan Hall (USA) via guillotine choke
• #72 – Rafael Mendes (Brazil) def. Justin Rader (USA) via brabo choke

Superfight

• Ronaldo “Jacaré” Souza def. Robert Drysdale via points (2-0)

Sunday, September 27 Lineup (Matches begin at 6AM ET / 3AM PT)

Men’s +99kg (+218 lbs.) Semi-Finals

• Fabricio Werdum (Brazil) vs. Saulo Ribeiro (Brazil)
• Jeff Monson (USA) vs. Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu (Brazil)

Men’s -99kg (-218 lbs.) Semi-Finals

• Xande Ribeiro (Brazil) vs. Vinícius Magalhães (Brazil)
• Glover Teixeira (Brazil) vs. Gerardi Rinaldi (USA)

Men’s -88kg (-194 lbs.) Semi-Finals

• André Galvão (Brazil) vs. David Avellan (USA)
• Bráulio Estima (Brazil) vs. Rafael Lovato Jr. (USA)

Men’s -77kg (-170 lbs.) Semi-Finals

• Marcelo Garcia (Brazil) vs. Keita “K-Taro” Nakamura (Japan)
• Pablo Popovich (Brazil) vs. Gregor Gracie (Brazil)

Men’s -66kg (-145 lbs.) Quarter-Finals

• Rani Yahya (Brazil) vs. Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles (Brazil)
• Leo Vieira (Brazil) vs. Rafael Mendes (Brazil)

Women’s +60kg (+132 lbs.) Semi-Finals

• Penny Thomas (USA) vs. Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (Brazil)
• Hannette Staack (Brazil) vs. Rosângela Conceição (Brazil)

Women’s -60kg (-132 lbs.) Semi-Finals

• Hillary Williams (USA) vs. Sayaka Shioda (Japan)
• Luanna Alzuguir (Brazil) vs. Ana Michelle Dantas (Brazil)

Catch the event live tomorrow! Also, visit bloody elbow for coverage.

The ADCC has now released the brackets for their upcoming competition. The names are big, and we should expect to see some crazy match-ups! Catch the event live streaming on PPV. Click picture for bracket.

Keep up to date here for results and videos.

Marcus Widengren: Having the benefit of knowing two different countries and cultures, what are the best qualities that you bring with you from those two different cultures?

MW: What are the qualities you think one should possess to become a successful jiu-jitsu fighter?

RD: Dedication, discipline, will. Of course talent is important, but hard work beats everything. I personally never believed I was a talented fighter, but rather very committed to my passion.

MW: Not only have you won the World Championships in Jiu jitsu several times, but two years ago you also won the most prestigious title without the kimono: the absolute division at ADCC.  How did that feel compared to your previous accomplishments on the Jiu-jitsu mats?

RD: It’s one of those things you only dream about. I never thought I’d be that guy winning the open. To me personally, winning the Jiu-jitsu worlds was incredible, but winning the ADCC was just another level. It did a lot for me professionally and it really built my confidence to an even higher level. It’s a great privilege to even be part of this group of fighters.

MW: If you look at all the ADCC champions over the years, with very few exceptions most are Jiu-jitsu fighters. Why do you think this art is so successful even without the kimono?

RD: Part of it can be explained through the gi training. The gi is harder and more technical to train in. But on top of that, ADCC is very popular among Jiu-jitsu players. Not so popular amongst Wrestlers, Sambo fighters and Judokas for example. It is a few in every Jiu-jitsu gym, but most wrestling clubs haven’t even heard of it. So I think the sport has a long way to go as far as its popularity.

MW: Do you consider yourself better with or without the kimono?

RD: I’ve done most of my training with the gi. But for some reason I’ve always, since bluebelt, done better without it. I guess my gi game is very no-gi oriented.

MW: Do you have any fight that you consider the most memorable?

RD: I remember the final of the state championship in São Paulo in 2001. I won the open as a purple belt. It was a huge day for me… Also the worlds as purple… my first black belt world title. And of course the open of the ADCC in 2007.

MW: Now that you have only one fight to focus on, has your training routine changed anything in preparation for this fight? Could you tell us a bit about your preparations for the upcoming superfight against Jacaré?

RD: Of course I had Roger in mind so a replacement on such a short notice is unexpected. But I’m happy to go against him. Of course the strategy will change a little, but my dedication in training has only increased.
When I first found out about Roger I was a little bummed out. But now I’m excited about going against Jacaré.

MW: I know that you are a bit disappointed with the development of the competition scene in jiu-jitsu. What do you think could be improved and how could that be accomplished?

RD: Changing the rules and time limit would be a big step. Try to make the matches more dynamic would draw more people to watch Jiu-jitsu. Also, changing the format might draw other communication vehicles to follow the support. This would draw more sponsors in making the life of fighters much better. Jiu-jitsu is the only sport in the world where you become one of the top ten in the world and that means nothing professionally: no prize, no sponsors, no exposure. Jiu-jitsu tournament are restricted to a few Jiu-jitsu fans around the world that are passionate about the sport.

MW: Some people are trying to turn Jiu-jutsu into an Olympic sport, which of course would be great, but the rules are not exactly viewer-friendly. How would you like the rules to be changed to make the sport more exciting to watch?

RD: Make the matches 5 or 6 minutes long. That would make them more dynamic and the fighters would be attacking a lot more.
Also, reward submission attempts. It’s crazy that knee on belly is worth 2 points, a near sweep an advantage and a tight armbar nothing… It’s all wrong. The whole point is the make your opponent tap.

MW: I also heard in another interview that you wont be entering the big jiu-jitsu competitions anymore because you feel that you are done with that and that you have accomplished what you wanted already.  Don´t you consider the absolute category in the World championships of jiu-jitsu worth going for?

RD: Absolutely, and that title will be always missing. But after thinking a lot about all of this I came to the conclusion that no matter how much you accomplish, there will always be more. There will always be that one tournament that you never won or that one guy you never beat. I just didn’t want to spend the rest of my life competing in Jiu-jitsu tournaments when I wasn’t getting anything out of it professionally. I wanted to move on and meet new challenges.

MW: As many other successful Jiu-jitu fighters you have also entered the MMA scene.  Could you tell us about your future plans. Do you have something booked already?

RD: I made my debut last October, but due to some health issues I haven’t been able to fight, but I’ll be fighting again soon. It’s just an obstacle I must overcome.

MW: Do you have something else you want to say to all your fans out there?

RD: Training should be a habit. Train when you’re tired, train when you don’t want to train. Everything will be possible with dedication. Like I said, I was never to most talented guy in the gym, but here I am, fighting the ADCC superfight. It is all possible

Visit: http://adccbarcelona.com for more interviews.

This technique comes from Saulo’s instructional DVD “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Revolution 2″. I chose this video because Saulo is a great teacher, and digs into the details. The instruction on the DVD are top notch as always, now get to the mats and get your reps in.