Cobrinha tries to keep Rodolfo from passing. Photo: John Lamonica.
Rubens Charles Maciel took GRACIEMAG.com’s call with a joke ready to fire – a sign the silver medal in the World Pro absolute division in Abu Dhabi today was to him more of a triumph than a loss.
Asked whether he’d ever been mounted at a championship before, Cobrinha reflected. “Mounted? Never,” and then cursed and then cackled.
Só the four-time featherweight world champion then went on to comment on the man who finally managed to finish him, with a choke from the mount.
“Rodolfo is a 100-kg Cobrinha: he passes guard really similarly to the way I do, trapping the hip and leaving the opponent practically helpless as he passes the leg. It was really hard to avoid his pass. He really is tough, really strong, and he deserves all the conquests he’s come up with lately,” said the Alliance teacher now living in California.
“I have no reason to feel sad. I’m happy about my performance. I’ve been training in the gi, but not with big guys. The new gym just opened, all the kids are beginners. I came to Abu Dhabi by invitation of Sheikh Tahnoon and Renzo to train with them, and I ended up competing and making it to the final. I put in the effort and it was worth it. Now I’m going to train a lot more for the next competitions, since this campaign here made me believe my technique is up to speed, I just need to strengthen my grip and get in shape. The World Pro made me want to compete more this year, I think I’ll participate in at least one more championship in 2011,” he said in conclusion.