BJJ and MMA Connection Evident at the No-Gi Worlds

December 16, 2007

The overlap that exists between mixed martial arts and Brazilian jiu-jitsu was evident yesterday in the number of MMA fighters who were present at the first-ever BJJ No-gi World Championships as competitors and spectators.

Just a quick run-down of personalities from the MMA world who were there:

  • Jeff “The Snowman” Monson (UFC, Pride, etc) – won the black belt no-gi absolute division. Monson also grabbed the silver medal in the Ultra Heavyweight black belt division.
  • Jess Liaudin (UFC) – competed in the purple belt open division and was submitted by a head-arm triangle from Jason Parry.
  • Vinicius Magalhaes (Gracie Fighting Championship) – won the gold medal in the Super Heavyweight division for black belts.
  • Fabio Leopoldo (IFL) – captured the silver medal in the Heavyweight black belt division.
  • Adam Lynn (IFL) – competed as a brown belt but I don’t have any results for him.
  • Diego Saraiva (UFC)- competed but I don’t have any results for him.
  • Luke Stewart (Strikeforce)- lost to Marcel Louzado for the Middle-Heavyweight championship for black belts.
  • Renato “Babalu” Sobral (UFC, EliteXC, etc) – spectated.
  • Daniel Moraes (Gracie Fighting Championships) – grabbed the silver medal in the middleweight black belt championship.
  • Ginelle Marquez (EliteXC) – won the women’s purple belt lightweight division.
  • Andy Wang (UFC) – competed in the black belt division but I don’t have any results for him.
  • Kevin Casey (Hero’s) – spectated. I spoke with Kevin and he said that he may compete in MMA in Asia again in mid-2008.
  • Josh Barnett (UFC, Pride, etc) – spectated, coached Ginele Marquez.
  • Joe Rogan – Okay so Joe didn’t compete nor is he an MMA fighter, but you see the connection. He is a brown belt in BJJ though. Keep tuned to the FightWorks Podcast for a quick conversation with the UFC commentator about the No-Gi World Championship.

Okay time to put my nose to the grindstone and get this week’s show done for you!

Written by Caleb · Filed Under BJJ, MMA, Submission Grappling 
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