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.

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.

Roger's knee injury will keep him out.

The much anticipated Absolute Superfight between Robert Drysdale and Roger Gracie will have to wait for another time. Roger was recently ill with the Mumps. After struggling to recover in time for the competition, Roger injured his knee. Jacare has been chosen as a replacement for the event.

Ronaldo Jacare, a two-time absolute champion, had this to say after being selected as substitute:

“This invite is really important to me, as it shows I’m well regarded in the submission wrestling scene and that the organizers feel I’m still at the top, and I really am. I’m physically in great shape, focused, training every day in and out of the gi. I’m happy. There’s nothing more I can say, I’m really happy with the news”.

The ADCC Event is being held Sept. 26-27. Results will be tracked here.

Daddis Fight Camps hosted the PGC competition Sept. 6. It was my third tournament and ended up being my first Gold. I was able to take first place in the Lightweight and Welterweight divisions. Hope you enjoy the videos. Any comments please add!

1st Place Match:

Semi-Finals Match:

Opening Round Match: