ADCC: Pena, Tussa, Ramos, others secure their spot in Brazil

Luiz Panza, Felipe Pena

The Brazilian ADCC trials took place this weekend in Rio de Janeiro and several Jiu-Jitsu big stars were present to compete and secure their spot in the main event, next August 28-30, in São Paulo.

Here are the highlights of each division.

66kg: brown belt Renan Sancar upsets black belt favorites

Renan Sancar, still a brown belt grabbed the spot after defeating black belt Bruno Celio in the semifinal and then beat Fernando Carsadale in the final with one takedown.

77kg: Davi Ramos uses all his powers to win

After six matches, Davi Ramos beat Gracie Barra’s Claudio Caloquinha in the extra-time with a choke from the back. “I’m very excited for 2015. My training for this event was insane. That’s why I had so much explosion against my opponents.”

88kg: Felipe Pena is the dominating force

With a deadly back taking, Felipe Pena finished five of his six matches. In the semifinal, he faced teammate Victor Estima and won by one guard pass. The final was against young purple belt Isaque Bahiense and a choke from the back settled the result. “Nowadays, you cannot underestimate no one. He is a purple belt, but very brave.”

99kg: Tussa imposes pressure to win

Roberto Alencar flew from the USA to Brazil only to compete. He first beat Rodrigo Cavaca, then Aleksandro Henrique and finally Marcus Vinicius in the final with a full mount. “I’m after this spot for five years and now it finally happened.”

+99kg: :Leonardo Nascimento fulfills his promise

Veteran Leonardo Nascimento made it to the main event after beating Gilmar Oliveira by points. After the triumph, he said: “I promised my Professor Marcio Cromado I would win the spot and here it is.”

Mazzelli and Michelle also secure their spot

With only one fight in her division, Michelle Tavares needed one takedown to defeat Talita Alencar and get the spot at the 60kg division. In the +60kg division, Fernanda Mazzelli was the champion after a kimura on Caroline Sant’Anna.