Combat Sports Report: 2011 BJJ Worlds and Team USA takes it to the ‘Streets’

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

With the 2011 World Championships only a mere three weeks away, now is the time that the competitors are in full force and training hard for the biggest tournament of the year, being held in Long Beach, California.

While many are working hard in the gyms, refining and retuning their game to perfection for the Worlds, let’s take this week’s segment to look back at the battles and champions that have come before them, making the Worlds such a spectacular event in the Jiu-Jitsu community.

Who can forget the wars between Roger Gracie and Ronaldo “Jacare”?

Bitter rivals for numerous years, these two legends of the sport never failed to awe the crowds when they competed against one another. Even while at brown belt, their fights would always be the most anticipated match-ups in the entire tournament. Out of all their battles against one-another, no one will forget their absolute final in 2004, where Jacare won controversially after escaping a tight armbar set up by Roger, that would dislocate the eventual champions elbow. The controversy came after the submission attempt where Jacare would circle around the ring, clearly nursing his injured arm, until time finally ran out. The Gracie’s corner pleaded their case that there should have been a disqualification, but to no avail and Jacare was crowned in what is still considered to be the greatest match in the Worlds sixteen-year history.

The legend that is Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles.

I remember as a fourteen year old, I got the chance to go to Brazil and watch the 2006 World Championships. In the finals, I was there witness to one of the greatest surprises the championship had ever seen, when “Cobrinha” dismantled the heavy favorite- MarcioFeitosa. Knowing Feitosa to an extent, the next day at the gym, I asked the runner-up of the featherweight division, “Who was that you fought in the finals?” Feitosa replied honestly, “I actually don’t know, I think he is a first-time black belt.” Well, that little-known champion went on from there to become one of the pound-for-pound greatest champions the Jiu-Jitsu world had ever seen. Three more World titles followed for “Cobrinha” as he would not only win World championships, but submit the majority in his way.  When going for his fifth title in 2010, he fell short in the finals to Rafael Mendes (who was still a blue belt when Cobrinha won his first title in 2006) by two advantage points, ending his consecutive title streak at four. But, although he considered retirement, he admits he is finding it hard to stop wanting to compete, so could we see a comeback for “Cobrinha” in 2011?

The surprises that shook the Jiu-Jitsu World.

Almost every year, the Worlds becomes the event that attracts the biggest upsets and surprises, and this year shouldn’t be any different.

Who can forget Romulo Barral’s surprising run in the absolute category in 2007 where he beat 2006’s champion- Xande Riberio? The Gracie Barra representative was little known at the time and wasn’t even put into the picture as an absolute contender. How did Barral respond? By beating the man that Roger Gracie failed to beat the year before. Although Barral fell short in the finals to Roger, it was well known that he let his presence be known, and that he was a real force to be reckoned with.

Also, remember in 2008 when Sergio Moraes jolted the crowd by beating heavily favored- Kron Gracie in the first round in the middleweight division? The unknown made his presence known by surprising everyone, not only beating, but wrecking Kron by a 15 to 2 score and submitting him in the end with a choke from the back. From there, he went on to beat the likes of Augusto “Tio Chico,” Victor Estima and Bill Cooper to claim his first World Championship. Ever since then, Moraes has become one of the stars of the sport most recently winning the absolute category at the European Championships. Underdog? Not anymore!

Next week is the brown and black belts turn to compete in the heavily popular Brazilian Nationals, taking place at the Tijuca Tenis Club in Rio de Janerio, Brazil. Who will be crowned in the last big event before the Worlds? Find out here next week!

Amateur Wrestling

By Staff, The Open Mat

Team USA beats Russia

Last week in wrestling we saw the return of Olympic Gold Medalist Henry Cejudo. Not only that, we got to see it in the middle of Times Square.

The 2008 Olympic champion Henry Cejudo defeated his Russian opponent in a freestyle wrestling match in Times Square on last Thursday.

The event was held in Duffy Square in New York City, located in the historic Times Square setting. Thousands of people packed the seats and stood around the raised stage, as thousands of others watched on a large screen overlooking the scene. The event was held as part of the Beat the Streets Gala, a fundraiser for local wrestling programs. BTS leader Mike Novogratz announced over $1 million was raised today.

“Times Square. America. Wrestling. That was the difference today,” said National Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones. “The training, the confidence, the relaxed atmosphere. The team energy was good. We were intent on winning today. They were going to get this. They would not be denied.”

The USA vs. Russia dual meet was being billed as The Battle on Broadway, with “New York Is Wrestling” as the theme of this year’s event. The event was free to the public, and was streamed live on TheMat.com and Flowrestling.

Each year, the Beat the Streets Gala is held to celebrate wrestling and raise funds for Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc., the successful program which has provided wrestling opportunities for thousands of middle school and high school students in New York City.

A card of eight exhibition matches featuring young athletes who wrestle in the Beat the Streets youth program, as well as high school wrestlers from the Public School Athletic League was held prior to the match. Results will be posted shortly.