June 1, 2011 – The Super Bowl of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is back as many athletes from Texas to far-and-wide have begun to make the pilgrimage to Long Beach, California for the 2011 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, set to take place this week/weekend from June 2nd to June 5th.
By our tally, TXMMA.com counts no less than thirteen black belt competitors currently from Texas amongst the crowded fields that make up the adult divisions that make up the main event of the weekend.
In addition, countless more BJJ players from the brown belt division all the way down to the white belts are out there representing their schools along with the state of Texas so we thought we’d offer a quick preview of the event for our readers.
Good luck to Texas adult black belts Brandon Mullins, Darrin Lillian, Daniel Alvarez, Gustavo Carpio, Chris Westfall, Frost Murphy, Albert Hughes, Carlos Diego Ferreira, Jason Ebarb, Rodrigo Pinheiro, Alexandre Ceconi, Bruno Bastos, Stephen Hall, and everybody else From Texas competing at all levels this weekend in Long Beach!
2011 Adult Black Belt Division Preview
Rooster (Galo)
Brandon Mullins (Gracie Barra) vs. Jason Sampson (Alliance)
Caio Terra of Gracie Elite will once again contend with Alliance’s Bruno Malfacine in what is currently one of the sport’s hottest rivalries. After winning the 2011 Pan-Ams versus the Alliance fighter, the baby-faced Terra caused a firestorm of controversy after denouncing steroid use in his post-fight interview, an allegation many felt was labeled at the Alliance team and Malfacine in particular. The two are favored to meet again in the finals but perennial contender Felipe Costa along with Texas’ own Brandon Mullins will try and change those plans with victories of their own in the 18 person field.
Texas in Round 1
Brandon Mullins (Gracie Barra) vs Igor Rodriguez (ChecMat) <<< Result: Mullins WINS by armbar!
Light Featherweight (Pluma)
The stacked field of 32 at pluma includes Ary Farias of CheckMat and Gui Mendes of Atos JJ as the likely favorites along with names like Carlos Hollanda, Flavio Meier, and a large contingent from Japan coming to California to contend for a medal.
Texas in Round 1
Daniel Alvarez Jr (Nova Uniao) vs. Flavio Meier (Gracie Elite) <<< Result: Alvarez WINS first match 11-2!
Featherweight (Pena)
Chris Westfall (Travis Lutter) vs. Justin Rader (Gracie Humaita)
Five-time world champion, Ruben “Cobrinha “ Charles, will join a competitive field boasting names such as Ed Ramos, Justin Rader, Bruno Frazatto, and Ryan Hall along with division favorite and last year’s winner Rafael Mendes in what could be considered the most stacked division at the tournament. Also of note in this division is that Augusto “Tanquinho” Mendes, another top favorite at this weight and recent winner over the Atos team in the UAE, will be competing at the same weight as not only his rivals, but also his potential future father-in-law, Megaton Dias!
Texas in Round 1
Darrin Lillian (Paragon) vs. Justin Rader (Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu)
Gustavo Carpio (Marra Senki) vs. Mario Reis (Gracie Barra)
Chris Westfall (Nova Uniao) vs. Gabriel Wilcox (Avengers)
Lightweight (Leve)
Frost Murphy (Elite MMA) vs. Ryan Hall (50/50)
A stacked field of 46 competitors will vie for gold at leve with names like JT Torres, Zak Maxwell, Lucas Lepri, Kron Gracie, and Celso Venicius all in front of the pack looking to take a chunk out of last years’ champion, Michael Langhi of Alliance.
Texas in Round 1
Albert Hughes (Avengers) vs. Yuji Okamoto (RJJ)
Frost Murphy (Elite MMA) vs. Evan Cath (Lotus Club JJ)
Middleweight (Medio)
Medio is shaping up to be one of the most exciting divisions at this year’s worlds with the presence of the always-exciting Marcelo Garcia joining the likes of Clark Gracie, Claudio Calasans, and Victor Estima in the field of 39. Look for a showdown between Claudio Calasans and Clark Gracie to determine who comes out of that side of the bracket to challenge the division favorite, Garcia.
Texas in Round 1
Carlos Diego Ferreira (Arsenal JJ) vs. Roger Ribiero (Atos) <<< Result: Ferreira WINS first match by choke!
Medium-Heavy (Medio Pesado)
Carlos Diego Ferreira (Arsenal BJJ) vs Macaco (Gold Team)
37 athletes will vie for what has historically been one of the most hotly-contested divisions at the World Championships at medio-pesado. This year, Romulo Barral of Gracie Barra will make his return after an injury sidelined him for much of 2010-2011 looking to claim the gold that was last held by Tarsis Humphreys, who is absent this year due to injury. Barral will join Ian McPherson, Otavio de Souza, Eduardo Telles, and Sergio Moraes in the always-crowded division.
Texas in Round 1
Jason Ebarb (TX Punishment Crew) vs. Julien Cazier (Gracie Barra America)
Rodigo Pinheiro (Gracie Humaita) vs. Diego Gamonal (Brazilian Top Team)
Heavyweight (Pesado)
This years’ field of 27 includes the absolute favorite Rodolfo Vieira along with top contender Rafael Lovato Jr and last year’s champion Bernardo Faria. Expect the top contenders to rise out of this division to also challenge for the pound-for-pound crown as well with all three of the aforementioned names being some of the early favorites in the absolute class.
Texas in Round 1 – Alexandre Ceconi (Gracie Elite) vs. Winner of Rosa (Evolve)/ Shep (Nova Uniao)
Super Heavyweight (Super Pesado)
Alexandre Ceconi (Gracie Elite) vs Ryan Hall (50/50)
Most notable this year is the absence of perennial ruler of the weight class, Roger Gracie, who is not competing at this year’s worlds due to not having enough time to adequately prepare. In his absence, 14 athletes will challenge for the crown at the tournament’s second heaviest weight class, with perhaps Ricardo “Demente” Abreu and Marcus Vinicius slotted as the odds-on favorites along with DFW’s Bruno Bastos.
Texas in Round 1
Bruno Bastos (Nova Uniao) vs. Ronaldo Antonio Carlos (Tatu JJ)
Ultra Heavyweight (Pesadissimo)
There are 15 athletes competing where the biggest of the big play. Last year’s champion Rodrigo Cavaca is back while Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu and former champ Marcio “Pe de Pano” Cruz will also be present with eyes on the goal. The field includes Braga Neto and former New York Giant Jarrod Bunch, just to name two more.
Texas in Round 1
Stephen Hall (Alliance) vs. Michael George Wilson (Peter de Been)
2011 World Championships – All Divisions
Do you have a teammate participating in the 2011 Worlds? We know of a few but rather than name some and risk missing a whole bunch, we’d like to hear from our readers to let us know who is all gunning for a medal at this years’ BJJ World Championships.
Please respond in the comment section below or message me privately if you or a teammate will be out in Long Beach representing Texas this weekend. From there, I will add to this list.
Athletes Representing TEXAS at the 2011 IBJJF World Championships
Black Belt Female
J.J. Holmes (Alliance)
Fabiana Borges (Gracie Barra North Austin)
Brown Belt
Travis Orr (Relson Gracie)
Tracy D’Arcy (Robert Kaelin / Fabio Santos)
J.J. Holmes (Alliance)
Eric Lincoln (Genesis)
Mark Peltier (Paragon)
Jason Sampson (Alliance)
Jason Soliz (Third Coast MMA)
Ryan Sosa (Paragon)
Juan Tatum (Peak Performance/Nova Uniao)
Miguel Tinajero (Texas Punishment Crew)
Robert Yamashita (Elite MMA)
Purple Belt
Danielle Alvarez (Nova Uniao)
Alex Cisne (Gracie Barra)
Andrew Craig (Team Tooke)
Evert Gutierrez (Paradigm / GF Team)
Raul Jimenez (Team Gacho)
Shama Ko (Relson Gracie Austin)
Jose Angel Llanas (Team Tooke)
Chris Mango (Gracie Barra)
Philip Miller (Peak Performance/Nova Uniao)
Travis Orr (Relson Gracie)
Carlos Rosario(BJJ Revolution)
Luis Rubalvaca (Arsenal JJ)
Nick Schultz (BJJ Revolution) – 2011 BRONZE Medal!
Matt Fox (BJJ Revolution) – 2011 SILVER Medal! / 3rd in Blue Belt Absolute!
Pedro Migliano (Gracie Elite)
JR Gore (Paradigm / GF Team)
Roman Hernandez (Arsenal JJ) – 2011 SILVER Medal!
Lana Hunter (Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu) – 2011 BRONZE Medal!
Kevin Johnson (Texas Punishment Crew)
Michael Leal (Texas Punishment Crew)
Emmanuel Martinez (Texas Punishment Crew)
Pedro Migliano (Gracie Elite)- 2011 GOLD Medal! / 2nd in Blue Belt Absolute!
Mitchell Norton (Elite MMA)
Michael Perez (BJJ Revolution)
Anthony Pusch (Paradigm / Gracie Elite)
Andre Saad (Gracie Barra)
Ashley Wade (nova Uniao)
Ryne Sandhagen (Nova Uniao) – 2011 BRONZE Medal!
Chas Skelly (Alliance)
Tara Talanco (Gracie Humaita)
Rebecca Varady (Relson Gracie)
Hal Walfield (Robert Kaelin)
White Belt
Cooper Cardinale (Nova Uniao) – 2011 GOLD Medal!
Charlie Pineda (Team Tooke) – 2011 BRONZE Medal!
Ashley Wade (Nova Uniao) – 2011 BRONZE Medal!
If you’d like to take a look at the brackets for all divisions, please refer to this link directly. Here is the timetable for the event as well. Also, make sure to tune in to Budo Videos to watch the LIVE feed. It’s FREE on Saturday and only $9.99 on Sunday so take advantage if you can’t make it out to the Pyramid to watch the action in person.
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