Leandro Lo / Photo: Gustavo Aragão
GRACIEMAG.com doesn’t sit on the fence when it comes to pointing out the favorites, whether in competition Jiu-Jitsu or in MMA. The Brazilian Nationals Jiu-Jitsu Championship is underway, and the brown and black belts take to the mats at Grajaú Country Club in Rio de Janeiro this weekend. With so many slick-skilled gentle-art aces, there will be no lack of excitement in the match areas.
Check out who we’ve got winning it, and let us know if we’re wrong or right in the comments field below. And share your picks for the favorites, alright?
Roosterweight
The runner-up in 2011, Felipe Costa won’t have his undoer Bruno Malfacine to contend with, and he should shine among the fast-paced fighters in the division. However, Igor Rodrigues, the bronze medalist from last year, and Pablo Teixeira of Brazilian Fight could prove to be major obstacles.
Winner: Felipe Costa
Light featherweight
Disgruntled about his defeat at the Gramado WPJJC tryouts, Ary Farias has promised to go all out and is the one we tip to take it. At his coattails, Francielo Costa and Leandro Martins may have what it takes to make it.
Winner: Ary Farias
Featherweight
The division is packed with top-tier athletes, with Leonardo Saggioro, Gabriel Willcox and Herbert Burns and more gunning for gold. Judging by the solid performances Isaque Paiva has had of late, we’re picking him to win it.
Winner: Isaque Paiva
Lightweight
Leandro Lo and Michael Langhi made it to the final in 2011, and the title went to the former by an advantage point scored when both pulled guard simultaneously. Now, the two again appear to be favorites. Anderson Portugal and Eduardo Ramos are two solid outside bets.
Winner: Leandro Lo
Middleweight
In the most stacked division of the tournament, current champ Daniel Garcia is a strong candidate to keep his title, however, Davi Ramos of Atos, Murilo Santana of Barbosa and Guto Campos of Atos may throw a wrench in any plans to retain the title.
Winner: Guto Campos and Davi Ramos close out
Medium heavyweight
This division promises fireworks, so great the number of top talent signed up that it’s hard to point out a favorite, but let’s get to it: With Tarsis Humphreys, Diego Gamonal, Nivaldo Oliveira, Yan Cabral, Rodrigo Fajardo and Rômulo Barral, not to mention William Martins, we’ll stick with tradition and go with Gracie Barra’s Rômulo Barral.
Winner: Rômulo Barral
Heavyweight
Of those on the sign-up list, Fabiano Junior, Alexandro Ceconi, Frederico Zaganelli, Igor Silva, Dustin Denes and Nilson Ricardo are all in the title race.
Winner: Alexandro Ceconi
Super heavyweight
This division is promising too, with Bernardo Faria and Antonio Carlos “Cara de Sapato” firm favorites. But you can’t overlook Leonardo Nogueira.
Ultraheavyweight
In the running, the better known Antonio Peinado, Leonardo Leite and Alexander Trans are contenders for the title, but they’re not to far ahead of Thiago Gaia and Bruno and Victor Hugo.
Winner: Leonardo Leite
Absolute
Having set up shop at CheckMat Paraíba, Denmark’s Alexander Trans has been ironing out mistakes and working on attacks with Helder Bob Esponja, Cara de Sapato and the rest of the Northeast Brazilian team. We’ll go with Alexander Trans, who may prove to be a big surprise and become the new champion of the open weight division.
Winner: Alexander Trans