Cobrinha in the arms of the masses in 2009
The very day the Jiu-Jitsu community was taken aback by the first-hand news from GRACIEMAG.com that Roger Gracie will be a no-show at the 2011 Worlds, another gentle art legend made an announcement quite the opposite.
Moments ago, four-time world champion Rubens Charles “Cobrinha” tweeted word that he’s added his name to the list.
“I want to thank Fabio Gurgel and Romero “Jacaré” Cavalcanti for encouraging me to compete at the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship. I just signed up. I also want to thank Michael and Michel Langhi, Gabriel Goulart, Lucas Lepri, Rafael Rosendo, Bruno Malfacine, Fabio Passos and my students for the great training. I’m feeling better than ever! I’ll do my best!”
Thus, the opportunity for another Rafael Mendes-Cobrinha showdown arises – the third in Worlds action.
The score is tied at 1-1, with Cobrinha wining the 2009 featherweight division semifinal and Rafa reciprocating last year.
A reminder of Cobrinha’s course in Worlds history: he won the featherweight division every year between 2006 and 2009.
In 2007 Cobra had the achievement of becoming world champion without so much as an advantage point scored against him.
Stay tuned to the GRACIEMAG at the Worlds Blog for complete coverage of the 2011 Worlds.