Alexandre de Souza was the big standout at last weekend’s World League Pro Jiu-Jitsu, on December 5th and 6th, in São Paulo. The dynamo from Florianopolis won the absolute after beating Sérgio Moraes in the deciding match. In his weight class, he didn’t even need to dispute the final, causing the greatest controversy of the event. Find out more in the interview he conceded to GRACIEMAG.com.
How to beat Roger Gracie is a tough question,” Alexandre de Souza
What are your thoughts on your win over Sergio Moraes in the absolute final?
I was really pleased, although I felt the match could have been livelier and more dynamic. It was a good match; he’s an excellent athlete and tough opponent. All my matches were really hard, but the final was the most striking, since it was real stalled and I managed to rally back in the final minute.
You were supposed to have faced Antonio Braga Neto in the super heavyweight final, but he was disqualified for having dropped his pants, revealing his underwear and making obscene gestures in protest at the refereeing, in the absolute semifinal…
Well, I feel there was some confusion regarding the refereeing, since they punished Sergio (Moraes) for stalling and then the judges overturned it. That caused some controversy, which ended up causing Braga Neto to lose his head at the end of the match. But I think what he did was hot-headed and truly lamentable.
Alexandre has stood out at major events. Photo: Carlos Ozorio
What are your plans for 2010?
My primary focus is the Abu Dhabi Pro Tryouts, but I intend to compete in anything that comes up. And of course I want to go for the IBJJF Worlds title.
Speaking of the 2010 Worlds, is the absolute one of your goals? How would you go about guys like Roger Gracie?
That’s every Jiu-Jitsu athlete’s dream, and I believe we always have to dream big. Now, how to go about beating guys like Roger Gracie is a tough question. I think you need to have a good strategy and really overcome the psychological obstacles, which oftentimes ends up influencing the way the match goes, for him being one of the biggest names in Jiu-Jitsu.
How is work at Gracie Floripa going?
Great! I’m dazzled by how my team is growing and by my athletes’ performances. I believe a lot of them will stand out at events in 2010.