This Saturday, at 6pm (Rio de Janeiro time), the Jiu-Jitsu Copa Podio starts at Clube Hebraica in Rio with a solid and innovative proposal, and what’s the most important, with some of the greatest Jiu-Jitsu tough ones.
The Middleweight GP has already attracted fans of the gentle art from Rio Grande do Sul to Fortaleza, who came to see live fights such as Otavio Sousa vs Leandro Lo.
The tournament, however, suffered two last-minute changes. Pedro Mello (Gracie Florianópolis), absolut and heavyweight champ at Southern Brazilian Championship, replaced Nivaldo Oliveira (CheckMat), who was injured during practice. Another change caused by injury was the arrival of Ricardo Bastos, who gets in replacing his brother André Bastos.
“Andre is really sorry for his injury, but he won’t be totally out of the competition. He will be working as a commentator, analyzing the duels for the audience”, tells the creator of the competition Jefferson Maycá.
“Another news is that Gilbert Durinho will be Guto Campos’ corner, and Murilo Santana will be Leandro Lo’s coach, even though the last two are from different teams”, completed.
Now he groups will be in the following order:
Green – Pedro Mello, Davi Ramos, Diogo Almeida, Ricardo Bastos, Thiago Barata.
Yellow – Otavio Sousa, Leandro Lo, Rafael Formiga, Dimitrius Souza, Felipe Preguiça.
The GP is divided into three stages. In the first one, comprising five fights, the ten competitors fight each other within the same group. The combats last six minutes and the athletes get three (3) points for a victory, and one (1) for a draw.
In the second round, the two fighters who got more points go for the semifinals in 10-minute combats, where during the five first minutes points don’t count – only submissions. The rules for penalties, however, apply to the whole fight. These rules also apply to the two superfights.
Tickets for the event are on sale in Rio, Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte. Visit www.jiujitsuesportivo.com.br
Michael Langhi, one of the Copa Podio stars. Photo: GRACIEMAG
Follow GRACIEMAG on Twitter and Facebook to check out the results. See the Copa Podio schedule for July 21:
6pm – Opening Ceremony
6:15pm – OPENING SUPERFIGHT: Claudio Caloquinha (Gracie Barra MG) x Michael Langhi (Alliance)
6:30pm – 1st GP ROUND
Green Group: Pedro Mello (Gracie Floripa) x Davi Ramos (Atos)
Green Group: Thiago Barata (Família Abi-Rihan) x Ricardo Bastos (Nova União)
Yellow Group: Felipe Preguiça (Gracie Barra MG) x Otávio Sousa (Gracie Barra PE)
Yellow Group: Leandro Lo (Cícero Costha) x Dimitrius Souza (Alliance)
7:05pm – 2nd GP ROUND
Green Group: Pedro Mello (Gracie Floripa) x Thiago Barata (Família Abi-Rihan)
Green Group: Davi Ramos (Atos) x Diogo Almeida (Ryan Gracie)
Yellow Group: Felipe Preguiça (Gracie Barra MG) x Leandro Lo (Cícero Costha)
Yellow Group: Otávio Sousa (Gracie Barra PE) x Rafael Formiga (Soul Fighters)
7:40pm – 3rd GP ROUND
Green Group: Pedro Mello (Gracie Floripa) x Diogo Almeida (Ryan Gracie)
Green Group: Davi Ramos (Atos ) x André Bastos (Nova União)
Yellow Group: Felipe Preguiça (Gracie Barra MG) x Rafael Formiga (Soul Fighters)
Yellow Group: Otávio Sousa (Gracie Barra PE) x Dimitrius Souza (Alliance)
8:15pm – 4th GP ROUND
Green Group: Pedro Mello (Gracie Floripa) x Ricardo Bastos (Nova União)
Green Group: Thiago Barata (Família Abi-Rihan) x Diogo Almeida (Ryan Gracie)
Yellow Group: Felipe Preguiça (Gracie Barra MG) x Dimitrius Souza (Alliance)
Yellow Group: Leandro Lo (Cícero Costha) x Rafael Formiga (Soul Fighters)
8:40pm – 5th GP ROUND
Green Group: Davi Ramos (Atos) x Thiago Barata (Família Abi-Rihan)
Green Group: Ricardo Bastos (Nova União) x Diogo Almeida (Ryan Gracie)
Yellow Group: Otávio Sousa (Gracie Barra PE) x Leandro Lo (Cícero Costha)
Yellow Group: Dimitrius Souza (Alliance) x Rafael Formiga (Soul Fighters)
9pm – SEMIFINALS
Fight 1: 1st PLACE GREEN GROUP X 2nd PLACE YELLOW GROUP
Fight 2: 1st PLACE YELLOW GROUP X 2nd PLACE GREEN GROUP
9:30pm – SUPER CHALLENGE: Guto Campos (Guetho) x Raphael Abi-Rihan (Abi-Rihan JJ)
9:50pm – GP Middleweight 3rd Place Dispute
10pm – GP Middleweight Big FIght