September 22, 2011 – We’re now just days away from the most prestigious submission grappling tournament in the world this year, the 2011 ADCC Submission Fighting World Championships. We’ve profiled the event earlier in the week by talking to potential history maker Rodolfo “The Terminator” Viera along with Texas’ own Bruno Bastos as they made their way toward’s England and their dream of glory in this year’s rendition of the grappling Olympics.

Now it’s time for us to break down the action as we go through the brackets and give our preview of every single division on the day along with the two superfights that are scheduled to headline the event.
 

Superfight Predictions

Braulio Estima vs. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza

This will be an awesome matchup between 2009’s ADCC absolute champion Braulio Estima going against the superfight winner and MMA champion Jacare. The gator from Manaus has dominated the ADCC in the past and is undoubtedly one of the greatest submission grapplers of all time while Braulio has come on strong as of recent years, highlighted by his run at the last ADCC tournament. Estima is one of the most technical grapplers in the world but Jacare is highly-explosive as ever and should come into this matchup ready to remind the world of his place among grappling’s best.

► My Pick – Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza wins in dominating fashion.

Renzo Gracie v Mario Sperry

Talk about an old school match! In my opinion this one is going to be way more enjoyable than the proposed Eddie Bravo versus Royler Gracie rematch. That one may have been more talked about but I’m excited to see Renzo and Zé Mario back in what should be a close match. Sperry has the triple crown of the ADCC on his resume (weight / absolute / superfight wins) while Renzo’s won his division twice. Both these guys are gamers but Zé Mario should edge it out with his size/strength advantage.

► My Pick – Mario Sperry is a hard-fought and entertaining match.

Under 66kg

Two Atos teammates anchor the top half of the bracket in Rafael Mendes and Bruno Frazzato. Unfortunately they’ll be going up against each other in the first match! Whoever moves forward will likely have to deal with Justin Rader, who has a tough draw in his first ADCC appearance as a black belt with Robson Moura and Ryan Hall also on his side of the draw. It doesn’t get any easier in the bottom half of -66KG as Cobrinha, Baret Yoshida, Jeff Glover, and Rani Yahya all start off on the same side. All the favorites should make it through to what looks like an exciting record round highlighted in my book by Glover versus Yahya and Moura vs Hall.

► Potential Matchups / Upset Alerts – Everything should flow as expected in the fist round. The wildcard would come in the second. If Rader can get past Rafa Mendes, my gut feeling is that he’s got a great shot to make the final. On the other side, Glover and Yahya should have an exciting match of their own before having to deal with Cobrinha for a finals berth on that side.

► Probable Finals – Rafael Mendes vs. Ruben “Cobrinha” Charles

► Prediction – Rafael Mendes wins his division and goes on to fight in the open class.

Under 77kg

Marcelo Garcia anchors the top half of a division that also includes Murilo Santana and Kron Gracie. The bottom part of the bracket is spearheaded by Claudio Calasans and also includes Leo Viera, Tanquinho Mendes, recent UFC winner Vagner Rocha, and JT Torres. As with -66KG, all the favorites should move on to the quarterfinals with no issue. From there I see the two hotly-contested matchups between Santana and Kron and Calasans and Tanquinho. Making it to the semifinals should be Marcelinho and Kron at the top of the bracket but it could be any man’s ballgame at the bottom half. Any man can take it between Tanquinho, Calasans, Viera, and Gracie

► Potential Matchups / Upset Alerts – Murilo Santana vs. Kron Gracie will be interesting as will the winner of Tanquinho and Claudio Calasans. JT Torres taking on Clark Gracie in the first round will also be a close one.

► Probable Finals – Marcelo Garcia vs. Claudio Calasans

► Prediction – Marcelo Garcia of course. I can’t pick against him even in this very crowded field.

Under 88kg

Tonquinho, David Avellan, Rafael Lovato, and Romulo Barral lead the top half of the draw while Pablo Popovitch, Sergio Moraes, and Andre Galvao are on the other side of the bracket. That’s a murderer’s row of top talent and I see all advancing along with Gunnar Nelson. From there it’s anybody’s ballgame as each of these matchups could produce the eventual winner of the whole thing. It’s just that crowded in this division. I’ve got a healthy Romulo making his way through along with two beasts in Pablo and Galvao. My gut is the winner of that one takes the whole thing but it really is anybody’s to win and this is probably the tightest division in the entire tournament.

► Potential Matchups / Upset Alerts – Rafael Lovato vs. Romulo Barral should be a very interesting match, as should Pablo Popovitch vs Segio Moraes.

► Probable Finals – Romulo Barral vs. Andre Galvao

► Prediction – Andre Galvao in a statement-making win.

Under 99kg

Now we’re starting to get with the big boys as Xande Ribeiro and Rodolfo Viera square off on opposite sides of the bracket for what would be the second most awesome final ever (since Roger Gracie decided not to compete this year). To get there, they’ll have to contend with worthy challengers in the form of Braga Neto and Joao Assis along with former ADCC champ Dean Lister. I see both of these favorites making it though, and that final will be an epic one.

► Potential Matchups / Upset Alerts – Joao Assis versus Braga Neto could be anyone’s ballgame along with pretty much the whole bottom side of the bracket except for Rodolfo Viera who should make it through.

► Probable Finals – Xande Ribiero vs. Rodolfo Viera

► Prediction – Rodolfo Viera

Over 99kg

Defending champion Fabricio Werdum opens up the big boy division against a monster in Alexander Trans, who’s been crushing the competition at brown belt absolute divisions before stepping up to the big leagues. Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu is also on the top half of the bracket as is Jeff Monson. On the other side, the going is tough with Vinny Magalhaes, Jose Junior, and Bruno Bastos leading the way.

► Potential Matchups / Upset Alerts – Werdum or Trans could make through up top until meeting up with Cyborg for a berth in the finals while Vinny Magalhaes should be taking on the winner of Junior/Bastos to decide who faces Rinaldi in the semifinals.

► Probable Finals – Fabricio Werdum vs. Bruno Bastos

► Prediction – Bruno Bastos

Women – Under 60kg

Luanna Alzuguir has been a revelation as of late and faces Cat Albert to open up the action. She should face Michelle Nicolini in the semifinals with the winner probably taking on Kyra Gracie for first place.

► Potential Matchups / Upset Alerts – I really don’t see any surprises here. The final between Luanna and Kyra should be the most competitive match of the division.

► Probable Finals – Luanna Alzuguir vs. Kyra Gracie

► Prediction – Luanna Alzuguir

Women – Over 60kg

There’s no disputing that Gabrielle Garcia is the absolute favorite in both this and the absolute divison. She’ll face the winner of Penny Thomas and Talita Nogueira for a spot in the final opposite likely winner Hanette Stack or my upset pick of the day, Katrina Weilbacher.

► Potential Matchups / Upset Alerts– Katrina Weilbacher vs Hannette Stack should the most competitive match of the division.

► Probable Finals – Gabrielle Garcia vs. Katrina Weilbacher

► Prediction – Gabrielle Garcia

More Info on How You Can Watch the ADCC Worlds 2011

Good news guys! Thanks to the guys over at Budo Videos, the 2011 ADCC World Championships will be broadcasting LIVE on Sept 24th & 25^th from Nottingham, England and it’s you can currently catch both days for only $24.95. a total steal if you ask us!

“Get a front row seat on Saturday & Sunday for a full weekend’s worth of grappling action from the best in the world. This event will run from early in the morning until the evening so stock up on your food and drink, invite some friends over and let the party begin! Get your PPV for some awesome blackbelt competition. The live broadcast will feature: Commentary from Shawn Williams, Caleb & Budo Jake and will be all in glorious HD!” – Click Here to Purchase!

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