The ADCC tournament attracts the best grapplers in the world when it puts on events every two years and while the worlds best grapplers receive invitations to compete at the premier No-Gi competition, the rest of the competition is made up of winners from trials held all over the world.
On April 15 in California, the ADCC West Coast Trials will take place and, as well as the trials, the event organisers have added three super fights to the card.
First up is a match between arguably the best grappler on the planet competing right now, Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almeida and the best and most decorated American grappler, Rafael Lovato Jr.
Both competitors have previously medalled at the ADCC competition, with Buchecha having won gold in 2013 and Lovato Jr being a silver medalist the same year. They are also both known for very aggressive styles of Jiu Jitsu, with Buchecha’s top game being one of the very best in the world. When you add in the agility and explosiveness more common in lighter weight competitors, let alone someone competing at Ultra Heavyweight, you have yourself a phenomenal competitor who is very rarely beaten in Gi or No-Gi.
Lovato Jr is no slouch however, and has world championships in the Gi and No-Gi to his name and is currently competing in MMA as well as submission Grappling and BJJ. Lovato is known for having a tricky guard game, but has shown that, when needed, his passing skills are just as competent as his guard work. Expect this match to be competed at a high speed that isn’t in keeping with the size of both men.
The next match-up sees 10th Planet Black Belt and Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI) champion, Geo Martinez taking on Bruno Frazatto in a rematch of their ADCC 2015 semi final that Martinez lost 2-0.
Martinez comes into this match fresh on the heels of winning EBI10, where he beat Danaher Death Squad member Eddie Cummings to win the tournament. This momentum could be a game changer for Martinez and a win over Frazatto so early in the competitive calendar would really kick start his 2017 with a bang.
Frazatto is a former Pan-American and Brazilian champion who almost exclusively trains MMA these days, competing most recently at RFA 26. Whilst still training Jiu Jitsu for his MMA fights, it’ll be interesting to see if the focus change has had an impact on Frazatto during this match up against an unorthodox and wily Martinez.
The third match is an exiting match between two competitors who have both previously won the ADCC championship in their respective weight classes and at open weight. Roberto ‘Cyborg’ Abreu and Vinny Magalhaes have never competed against each other in the ADCC tournament, but have met previously with the score tied at two wins a piece. As such, both competitors will be keen to get one up on the other.
Both Cyborg and Magalhaes possess unusual styles of Jiu Jitsu, with Cyborg being particularly flexible for a man of his size, which allows him to adopt his famous Tornado Guard and use it to great effect.
Magalhaes is a Royler Gracie black belt as well as holding a black belt in 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu, and one of the most decorated competitors of his generation. With his unbelievable flexibility and a very dangerous guard, this match has the potential to be something special.
