“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.

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.

Differences:

The most obvious difference is the grips. The gi gives you the chance to control your opponent much easier. Sweeps become much more frequent, as well as Judo-Type take downs. The no-gi game relies on under or over hooks for control, while the take downs are more wrestling based.

Once on the ground, chokes become available using the lapels, or gi. Overall, the gi is a bit slower paced, more controlled, and technical. No-gi, however, seems to be faster paced and more fluid.

Pros & Cons:

Grappling in the gi sometimes can be like trying to swim in quick sand. It is restraining, and hot! The general idea is that the gi isn’t like “real” fighting, which is fair. But training in the gi is very beneficial to your technique, and understanding of the art.

Learning the wide array of grips, chokes, and throws are great because they do not exist in no-gi. Technicality is very important in the gi, therefore users usually develop an overall tighter game.

The No-Gi game is the most popular, especially here in North America. Wrestling and mixed martial arts have changed the game, and created a huge no gi following.

Again, the grips are actually “hooks”. The lack of lapel control makes for a faster pace, and great entertainment. Submissions are also harder to finish in no gi for the simple fact that everything is slippery. Whether it be rash guards, or sweaty skin, control is harder to secure.

On the flip-side, gi-less grappling helps to create more quickness, and increases overall strength. Learning how to utilize your over and under hooks is an art, and is applicable in MMA.

Conclusion:

TRAIN BOTH. You can NEVER know too much. Why limit yourself to one or the other? I personally enjoy both games.

If your goal is to fight mma, focus more on no gi. But training in the gi won’t hinder you, if anything it will help develop your knowledge of the body.

This was the first Gi match of the day for me, only had 2. Lost second because a gogoplata is apparently illegal in gi. (Naga only?) Enjoy and comment.