Black Belt champions crowned in Grand Finale for the 2017 Abu Dhabi World Pro

The Abu Dhabi World Pro champions. Ivan Trindade/Gentle Art Media

The 2017 Abu Dhabi world Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship came to an end this Saturday, April 22, at the IPIC Arena, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The final day of competitions featured the male black belt finals and bronze medal matches, the female brown/black belt finals and bronze medal matches. It also offered the crowd the much anticipated Jiu-Jitsu Legends matches. Here’s how each weight class played out.

Male Black Belt

56kg – Rodnei Junior went for the kill against Japan’s Todokoro Masaaki in the final match. He was able to reach the back and finish with a lapel choke to take the belt home.

62kg – Mikey Musumeci had won the division on Friday after winning all of his matches in a all against all bracket. Cleber Fernandes finished second and Hiago George finished third.

69kg – Gianni Grippo reached his second title in a row in Abu Dhabi with a powerful performance against Tiago Bravo in the final. The American was able to take Bravo’s back to seal the 8-0 lead and celebrate the title. In the third place match, Isaac Doederlein choked Talison Costa from the back for the bronze.

Gabriel Arges vs. Edwin Najmi. Ivan Trindade/Gentle Art Media

77kg – In what can be called a friendly match, teammates Edwin Najmi and Gabriel Arges pleased the crowd with a good roll. Arges went ahead in the scoreboard with a sweep and maintained the lead up until the end to celebrate another title in Abu Dhabi.

85kg – Claudio Calasans Jr. was not intimidated by the home crowd cheering for local favorite Faisal Al Kitbe. In a well fought match, the Brazilian imposed his game to build a 6-0 lead and take the belt. In the third place match, Marcos Costa outscored William Dias 1-0 on advantages to make to the podium.

Felipe Pena vs. Adam Wardzinski. Ivan Trindade/Gentle Art Media

94kg – Felipe Pena allowed the very dangerous Adam Wardzinski no room for thought. The Brazilian worked his way to Adam’s back and finished the final with a choke to claim yet another belt in his rich history at the ADWPJJC.

José Junior vs. Chris Bowe. Ivan Trindade/Gentle Art Media

110kg – José Junior, already the UAEJJF ranking leader for the 2016/2017 season, entered the mat to claim another belt. He did that with a 2-0 win over a very game Chris Bowe. In the bronze medal match, Erberth Santos beat Manuel Pontes by one penalty.

Female Brown/Black Belt

49kg – Mayssa Bastos won the bracket on Friday by winning all of her matches. Rikako Yuasa finished second and Liwia Gluchowska finished third.

55kg – Talita Alencar really wanted to close a very successful season with a bang. The toehold finish on Vanessa English was the perfect ending. In the bronze medal match, Thamires Aquino beat Amal Amjahid 2-1 on advantages.

Beatriz Mesquita vs. Tammi Musumeci. Ivan Trindade/Gentle Art Media

62kg – Bia Mesquita was on fire this Saturday. She went after Tammi Musumeci full throttle and ended on the American’s back to finish with a choke and celebrate the belt. In the bronze medal match, Jess Fraser beat Laurence Cousin 2-0 on advantages.

Ana Carolina Vieira vs. Amanda Benavides. Ivan Trindade/Gentle Art Media

70kg – Ana Carol Vieira found a very tough opponent on Amanda Benavides. The gold medal and the belt only came Carol’s way by a 4-1 lead on advantages. In the bronze medal match, Priscila Cerqueira choked Fiorella Coto from the back.

Nathiely de Jesus vs. Talita Nogueira. Ivan Trindade/Gentle Art Media

90kg – Nathiely de Jesus ended a brilliant campaign with another powerful performance against fellow Brazilian Talita Nogueira, who was very brave not to tap to a early armlock. The 4-2 lead on points was more than enough for Nathi to take the belt home and secure the first place in the UAEJJF ranking.

Jiu-Jitsu Legends

Marcio Pé-de-pano vs. Gabriel Napão. Ivan Trindade/Gentle Art Media

Heavyweight – Marcio “Pé de Pano” Cruz played on bottom and managed a sweep within the final 30s of the match to outscore Gabriel Napão 2-0 and keep the belt.

Amaury Bitetti vs. Roberto Traven. Ivan Trindade/Gentle Art Media

Middleweight – Amaury Bitetti managed two advantages against one scored by Roberto Traven to become the first ever middleweight champion.

Welterweight – Vitor Shaolin had a killer instinct on. He quickly worked a guard pass and when Kenny Florian turtled to defend a clock choke came to be and Kenny went to sleep. The champion remains.

Lightweight –  Alexandre Soca paced himself until the right moment to sweep Baret Yoshida and score the two points that secured his win and kept his belt for another year.

Bantamweight – Wellington Megaton waited more than  20 years for the rematch and a chance to return the 1996 defeat to Helio Moreira. Unfortunately to Mega, Soneca was once again able to find victory with a sweep and a 2-0 lead.