Rafael Mendes in Los Angeles, in a photo from his personal archives
If they decide to embrace the idea of a match with no time limit, a match to the finish, Jiu-Jitsu stars Rafael Mendes (Atos) and Rubens Charles “Cobrinha” (Alliance) will hardly have time to unpack their bags. That’s because Rafa just hit Brazilian soil after a series of seminars in the United States and Cobrinha is in South Korea, and should be back in Atlanta, Georgia, where he teaches, shortly. When they get to their respective destinations, the two already have this proposal on the table, announced exclusively by GRACIEMAG.com yesterday.
The big news of the day is that contact with the two champions was made via email by a group of American investors who drummed up the project, and the subject should come under scrutiny by the aces today. The sponsors haven’t yet mentioned a location for the match, as they await word from the featherweights.
The date suggested by the organizers (and already presented to Cobrinha and Rafael) would be in the month of October, obviously depending on the aces’ agendas and the time they request to prepare.
Choosing to give the athletes some time to think, GRACIEMAG.com only had a brief chat with Fabio Gurgel, one of the leaders of team Alliance, Cobrinha’s team. The team general seemed to be quite receptive to the idea.
“I think it’s a great idea. Cobrinha is in Korea but should be back soon… I don’t know what he thinks yet, but it would certainly be a great showdown,” said Gurgel.
Do you think it will happen, reader? So much to hope for!