Combat Sports Report: Abu Dhabi No-Gi Tourney, W5 Grand Prix, Jordan Burroughs

Every sport has a breeding ground for its future stars. In the case of mixed martial arts, the worlds of grappling, kickboxing and amateur wrestling are most likely to spawn the next Demian Maia, Mirko CroCop or Brock Lesnar. Collectively, these sports fall under the umbrella of “combat sports.” Every Wednesday, MMA DieHards reports on the biggest happenings in each of these realms of combat.

Grappling & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
by Gianni Grippo, four-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion

The open class podium (l to r): Rafael Mendes, Rodolfo Vieira, Vagner Rocha, Claudio Calasans Jr. (Photo courtesy of GracieMag)

Although the main event in Abu Dhabi doesn’t take place until this coming weekend, things were already heating up in the Middle East, when the Gi qualifiers were able to join in and compete in the No-Gi tournament that took place this past weekend. In it, there were many shakeups and interesting results, making the build-up for the Gi event even greater than previously advertised.

In the 65 kg (143.3 lb) weight division, it was another party for the Atos crew, who brought along the majority of their best black belts to compete in the tournament. In the end, it would come down to a final between the largely popular Mendes Brothers (Rafael and Guilherme) each of whom went through their respective brackets. This time though, the brothers did not go to a gentleman’s agreement and decide the winner; this time they fought it out! The champion in the end would be Rafael, who edged his older brother winning by a 4 to 2 score.

Atos was also a strong force in the 74 kg (162.8 lb) division as it was another meeting of teammates in the finals. In a division stacked with competitors such as Ryan Hall, Jonathan “JT” Torres and Gilbert “Durinho” Burns, it was not an easy road for the eventual finalists – Davi Ramos and Rodrigo Caporal. In the most anticipated match of the division between Torres and Burns, it would be JT who would exact revenge with a 5 to 0 win against Burns, who had most recently beaten him at the Worlds by a referee’s decision. But, due to an injury JT suffered during the fight, he was unable to continue to the semifinals and was forced to take bronze. In the friendly final between Ramos and Caporal, it would be Caporal taking home the gold and the $8,000 cash prize winning by a 5 to 2 score.

In a tournament where there is a heavy load of top black belts, the majority of the qualifying brown belts have a difficult time going far into the tournament, and mostly take the tourney as a learning experience. But, Lloyd Irvin brown belt James Harbison came in it to win it, and put on a show in the process. The rising star displayed solid No-Gi jiu-jitsu and it got him all the way to the finals against black belt Vinícius Corrales. In the final though, the run would end for Harbison as he would be on the short-end of a referee’s decision, giving Corrales the victory.

Rodolfo Vieira was the most talked about name coming into the tournament. Having just conquered the Pan division and absolute titles, he looked to be a sure bet to repeat that performance at this Abu Dhabi No-Gi event in the 92 kg (202.5 lb) division. What the fans mistakenly overlooked, was a hungry Rafael Lovato Jr., who skipped the Pan so he could be well rested for this event. In their final, to plenty of people’s surprise, Lovato would beat the favorite by a 4 to 2 score in a fight where it was an exchange of sweeps. Lovato would claim gold in the division, but Vieira’s day was not done quite yet.

In the over-92 kg weight class, it would be Saulo Ribeiro’s brother, Xande, who would be the biggest star. Disappointed in his performance in the absolute division, Riberio would come back strong defeating everyone in his path to gold, including fellow finalist José Junior by a 5 to 2 score, winning with a sweep and a guard pass. Also look for Xande to make a big impact next weekend as the two-time World absolute champion will don his Gi once more.

In the absolute came the surprise of the already crazy weekend. The 145-pound champion Rafael Mendes made an improbable run to the absolute final for a matchup against Rodolfo Vieira. Both Mendes and Vieira would lay waste to each of their opponents in the build up to their much anticipated final that many may not have expected before the event started. In the finals, it would be strength against strength as Mendes displayed his impassable guard while Vieira displayed his incredible base and pressure. In a match that lacked much action, the champion would have to be decided by the judges as the score would conclude at 0 to 0 with no advantages on either side. The judges discussed for a minute or so, then the head judge went back to the fighters and raised Vieira’s hand, signaling him as the absolute champion. Vieira had rebounded from his tough divisional loss, taking home gold and a cash prize of $30,000 for winning the absolute division.

Next weekend, things will get even crazier in Abu Dhabi as all the competitors will throw on the Gi, for the Gi portion of this two-weekend competition. Look for the same names from this weekend, plus some others, to put on great displays of Jiu-Jitsu, livening things up out in the Middle East.

Kickboxing & Muay Thai
by Rob Tatum

This week, we will start with results from Moscow, where the W5 Grand Prix KO Tournament took place on April 9. As discussed last week, the four man, 71 kg (156.2 lb) tournament was headlined by K-1 MAX semifinalist Mike Zambidis. In the opening round of the tournament, Zambidis needed an extension round to dispose of Enriko Gogokhia, as the Ukrainian scored a knockdown in the opening round. Meanwhile, Dzhabar Askerov outpointed William Diender, who has had a miserable last two years. The final saw Zambidis claim the expected victory by decision over Askerov.

Also on April 9, Muay Thai legend Saenchai battled UK standout Liam Harrison at Battle of the Dome from England. The pair had met previously, with Saenchai winning, and the results were the same this time around as the Thai fighter went home with a decision victory.

This week was also to feature the second semifinal fight of the Isuzu Cup from Omnoi Stadium, but the event was postponed due to illness. The bout between Kem and Prakaisaeng will determine who battles Nopparat in the 67 kg (147.4 lb) tournament final.

Moving on to past K-1 combatants, this weekend’s Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley card featured both Japanese stalwart Tatsuya Kawajiri and Dutch-Armenian Gegard Mousasi. Unfortunately neither fighter picked up a win in their MMA bouts. Kawajiri was battered by lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez and Mousasi was forced to settle for a draw after an illegal upkick cost him a point against UFC veteran Keith Jardine.

Last week, we noted that Australian Paul Slowinski was forced out of a bout at Kings of Kombat 3 against Peter Graham. It looks as though the injury is serious enough that he has now been forced out of a scheduled fight against K-1 veteran Daniel Ghita at It’s Showtime in Lyon, France on May 14. Replacing Slowinski will be Anderson “Braddock” Silva. The shifting of Silva to the May 14 event will leave Jamal Ben Saddik without an opponent, as he was slated to face Silva in Amsterdam on May 21.

More It’s Showtime news as the promotion has announced that it will head to Madrid, Spain on June 18. Notables on the card include Tyrone Spong, who faces Loren Javier Jorge, Gago Drago, who looks to end a three-fight skid against Abraham Roqueni (still riding a surprise victory over Andy Souwer in February), and Wendell Roche, who will battle Moises Ruibal.

Our last bit of news this week surrounds Dutch heavyweight Rico Verhoeven. The 22-year old is rumored to be considering a move to MMA. No fights have been scheduled at this point, but the young kickboxer has been seen grappling and could make a splash very soon.

Amateur Wrestling
by Staff, The Open Mat

The International Styles in the U.S. just completed their marquee event this past weekend in Cleveland, Ohio. The U.S. Senior Open Championships is used as the first step towards making the U.S. Team for this year’s World Championships.

Jordan Burroughs (in red tights)

Although the style and venue changed, one thing remained constant. Jordan Burroughs is one bad dude this season. The NCAA champion and Hodge Trophy winner from Nebraska continued his winning ways by capturing his first U.S. Open title on Saturday
night before 1,300 fans at the Cleveland Public Auditorium. As we have stated in previous articles, Burroughs has told The Open Mat in the past that he will look to enter the world of MMA when he is done competing. (The Open Mat’s interview with Burroughs)

Past two-time NCAA champion and No. 8 seed Teyon Ware dropped the first period before coming back to down two-time World medalist Cary Kolat in the freestyle finals at 66 kg (145.5 lb). The unseeded Kolat, 37, returned to the mat for the first time since
2008.

Ware was named Outstanding Wrestler in freestyle.

2009 World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev captured his first U.S. Open title after sweeping 2008 Olympian Steve Mocco in the freestyle finals at 120 kg (264.5 lb).

There were a lot of exciting bouts this year, setting the stage for the 2011 World Team Trials that will be held June 9-11, 2011 in Oklahoma City. If you want to see some of MMA’s future stars and are in the area make sure you stop in and see all the action.