BJJ BRAZIL:

Cavaca, Big Mac make OW final
Brazilian title to be decided Sunday

It was not to be for black belt Roberto Abreu, of Mato Grosso do Sul. He jumped off the train at Piedade station at 11:45 am – the quarters of an hour after sign-ups for the absolute black belt division started, which ended at mid-day -, flew up the steps of the station in ten seconds and ran to Gama Filho University, the location hosting the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship. There was no sign of Roberto among the athletes in the absolute division, which would lead one to believe he did not make it on time to sign up. Nor was there any sign of Romulo Barral, on of the favorites for the title, who hurt himself at the ADCC that took place not long ago in New Jersey, USA.

Rafael Lovato, one of the most talented foreigners in activity, came from the United States just to fight at the event. It was not to be for him either: Lovato was eliminated in his first fight, against Alexandre de Souza. The American student of Saulo Ribeiro described his performance as horrible, saying he was tired from the trip – he arrived on Thursday – and let his opponent do whatever he wanted.

Without Rominho in his way, everything went well for Tarsis Humphreys, who submitted Nielson Nunes quickly and beat Diego Herzog by points, until he ran up against the feisty Roberto Tozi in the quarterfinal. Tarsis took the back and came close to choking Tozi, but Bruno Frazatto’s teacher fought like a pitbull and ended up sweeping. Victory was his by an advantage point.

The rallies did not stop there. After beating Kleber Brito, Roberto Fonseca, and ultimately Braga Neto, in the semifinal, it seemed Luiz “Big Mac” would fight in the final against his master, Tozi. Only that Rodrigo Henrique Cavaca hadn’t heard about it, and ended up taking Tozi’s place, opening the scoring with two advantage points a little under half way through the fight, and staying on top for the remaining minutes.

The final of the Absolute category of the Brasileiro takes place tomorrow, as do the other black belt finals. So don’t forget to stop back in at GRACIEMAG.com for the goings on of the event.