Gurgel comments on Marcelo Garcia’s injury and Mendes-Cobrinha match

Marcelinho Garcia and Fabio Gurgel at Alliance / Photo: Ivan Trindade/GRACIEMAG.com

Jiu-Jitsu star Marcelo Garcia is stuck on ice after suffering an unusual injury. The current three-time world champion from Alliance hurt himself while practicing a different radical sport in the United States.

Fabio Gurgel, the mat wizard’s teacher and team leader, confirmed the injury but doesn’t feel it will keep the star from defending his title at the 2012 World Championship this June. “Marcelo did indeed hurt himself while snowboarding; he injured his clavicle but is already back teaching class at his academy in New York. I believe he’ll be 100% shortly,” asserted Fabio via e-mail.

THE JIU-JITSU MISTAKE FEW CAPITALIZE ON

The General also addressed the match that brought to Bren Events Center in Irvine to a halt, the featherweight final between Rubens Charles Cobrinha and Rafael Mendes, and analyzed the mistake that determined the outcome.

“Rafael is to be congratulated; he did something I thought I wouldn’t live to see: he went into the match and took advantage of a mistake that most fighters don’t notice,” said Gurgel. “Cobrinha is the same Cobrinha, a monster of the sport. He can keep competing at a high level for many years to come, this was just a loss,” he added.

On the Abu Dhabi WPJJC, which kicked off today, Fabio Gurgel didn’t deny that Rodolfo Vieira is the favorite to win at weight and open weight.

“Rodolfo is a great kid, great athlete and the current absolute champion of the world, so he’s the favorite. He is being studied just like all the other opponents are. Of course, like everybody, he will lose some day—I just hope it’s to one of us! Whether it will be at this Abu Dhabi championship or not, we’ll only know when it’s over,” he said in conclusion.

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