Pablo with Pan absolute gold. Photo: Dan Rod.
Winner of the absolute division at the IBJJF’s No-Gi Pan Pablo Popovith, 31, contacted GRACIEMAG.com to thank the public for the landslide vote electing him best fighter of the year.
“It was really cool to let everybody vote, I have a lot of fans in the USA and Europe and I want to thank the gang for their support. The best in the world continues to be Roger (Gracie) in my opinion. However, I want to be considered the best in the world. I’m going to train a lot to beat him at the ADCC 2011 and prove to the world I have what it takes to be the best,” says Pablo, who is undefeated in No-Gi competition since 2007.
“I’m really grateful for this title, and I expect it is some good publicity, but I feel it would only be fair to do an article with Roger as the best of the year in the gi and me the best without it. The guy is unbeatable in the gi and I’m beating everybody without it,” suggests the leader of BJJ Center academy, in Florida.
Tthe article on the best in the world, elected by the GRACIEMAG.com team and the popular vote, you will find at better book stores, libraries and academies next month.
Look back on who GRACIEMAG.com readers chose in the vote that lasted from the end of November till Wednesday:
Best Jiu-Jitsu competitor of 2010:
1. Pablo Popovitch
2. Roger Gracie
3. Caio Terra
4. Rafael Mendes
Revelation of the year:
1. Claudio Calasans
2. Marcus Bochecha
3. Jonathan Torres
4. Bernardo Faria
Female standout of the season:
1. Gabrielle Garcia
2. Beatriz Mesquita
3. Luanna Alzuguir
4. Hillary Williams
Best MMA fighter:
1. José Aldo
2. Cain Velasquez
3. Anderson Silva
4. Georges Saint-Pierre
Best fight:
1. Rafael Mendes vs. Rubens Cobrinha (Mundial 2010, peso pena)
2. Roberto Cyborg vs. Antonio Braga Neto (Mundial 2010, peso pesadíssimo)
3. Guto Campos vs. Rodrigo Cavaca (Europeu 2010, absoluto)
4. Cain Velasquez vs. Brock Lesnar (UFC 121)
Most consistent athlete of 2010:
1. Rafael Mendes
2. Roberto Cyborg
3. Bruno Malfacine
4. Pablo Popovitch
Best non-black belt:
1. Marcus Bochecha
2. Ary Farias
3. Roberto Satoshi
4. Mackenzie Dern