World Jiu-Jitsu Expo Superfights: Robinho and Parrumpinha looking to relive old rivalry in Long beach

Robson Moura

The 2014 World Jiu-jitsu Expo will be the setting for another classic rematch.

Five-time world champion Robson Moura will face world champion Marcos “Parrumpinha” da Matta, a legitimate Carlson Gracie black belt.

Both currently live in Florida, Robinho leading his academy in Tampa, Florida, and Parrumpinha teaching at the ATT headquarters, in Coconut Creek.

Their history as rivals peaked in 2000, when they faced each other in the world championship light-featherweight final, which ended with Robinho’s victory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsZ3gicJEA4

GRACIEMAG.com reached out to the duo to know what motivated them to accept the rematch.

Parrumpinha talks about the importance of recognizing the value of what he calls “old school athletes”: “It’s a honor to be a part of this event. We’ll have several old school athletes like myself, Robinho, Nino Schembri and Vitor Shaolin.”

Robinho says that the opponent offered was his main motivation to accept the invitation: “We have this history among us. The two times we fought were very close fights. Today, our rivalry turned into friendship.”

Both fighters agreed when pointing out the qualities of the opponent.

“Robinho is one of five most technical athletes in Jiu-Jitsu. I consider him to be complete in terms of Jiu-Jitsu technique. It’s going to be a great match,” says Parrumpinha.

“Parrumpinha has a very important history in Jiu-Jitsu. He was always one of the leading guys in Master Carlson Gracie’s team. He is very aggressive and has lots of years of experience,” replied Moura.

Marcos Parrumpinha

When asked why they think they’re gonna win the match, both Moura and Parrumpinha were very clear on how they see the outcome.

“I think that when we fought in the early 2000’s, I was a purple belt fighting a black belt. I think I evolved a lot in 14 years, even more than he did. He was already outstanding, very skilled. I was only a tough guy with little technique. Now, it’s going to be different. I feel I have more tools to win,” analyzed Parrumpinha.

“It’s hard to say who’s going to win. We have a very different game, but we know each other very well. In the end, I think I’m going to win because I have more trust in my game,” says Robinho.

The World Jiu-Jitsu Expo takes place October 18-19, at the Long Beach Convention Center

Marcus Buchecha, Leo Veira, the Mendes Bros, Rodrigo Cavaca & Robert Drysdale, Augusto Tanquinho & Mackenzie Dern, Jean Jacques Machado, Caio Terra, Braulio Estima and Roberto Cyborg will be teaching seminars.

All seminars at the WJJE will be in the gi.

Three IBJJF events will take place during the Expo: IBJJF Pro League, the American Nationals Kids and the Long Beach Open.

Ten superfights are also already confirmed:

Gianni Grippo vs. Augusto Tanquinho

Nino Schembri vs. Vitor Shaolin

Robson Moura vs. Marcos Parrumpinha

Tim Spriggs vs. Leo Nogueira

João Assis vs. Rolles Gracie (no-gi)

Caio Terra vs. Jeff Curran

Samir Chantre vs. Baret Yoshida

AJ Agazarm vs. Bruno Frazatto

Kit Dale vs. Ricardo Rezende

Zak Maxwell vs. Alexandre Pulga

For more info and for tickets, go to worldjiujitsuexpo.com.

Go to ibjjf.com to register for the tournaments.