2009 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Cup
Results From the First Abu Dhabi Pro Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Cup
May 13, 2009
Wrestling and grappling has a long and prestigious history in the Middle East. Over the last decade, the United Arab Emirates has been a particular force in the grappling world. In 1998, Sheik Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the son of former U.A.E. leader Sheik Zayed, changed the world of international grappling competition when he hosted the first Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) world Submission Fighting Championships.
Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC): A Completely New Grappling Competition
The Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) was unique because it provided a single event where practitioners all grappling arts could compete against each other under a common set of rules. It was also the first major grappling competition to offer substantial prize money. The result was an incredible grappling showcase. Fans were treated to everything from judo and wrestling-style takedowns to technical Brazilian jiu-jitsu submissions to the devastating leglocks of sambo and catch wrestling.
Ten Years of World-Class Grappling at the ADCC
The Abu Dhabi Combat Club has been running regularly since the first event in 1998 and has been hosted in Abu Dhabi, UAA; Long Beach, California; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and New Jersey, USA. Participants have included a who’s who of the elite grappling world, including Royler Gracie, Marcelo Garcia, Rhadi Ferguson, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Tito Ortiz, Mark Kerr, Ricco Rodrigues, Matt Serra, Eddie Bravo, Matt Hughes, Jean-Jaques Machado, Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira, and many more.
The First Professional Brazilian Jiu-jitsu World Cup
With the 2009 World Professional Jiu Jitsu Cup, the UAE once again upped the ante by offering prize money ($111,000 US in total!) to the winners... including competitors in the white & blue belt division. The competition attracted the best of the best in the BJJ world, including Tarsis Humphreys, Rafael Lovato Jr., Marcelo Garcia, Renato Tavares, Michel Maia...
A Strong Showing by the Emirates Home Team
Not letting their “home mat advantage” slip by, the Emirates jiu-jitsu team had a very strong showing, coming second in the team category. The UAE team took 18 medals, including five gold. The highest honours for the home team were brought in by Tiego Fernandes, who took 3rd in the black belt under 65 kg category, and Paulo Ricardo Rodrigues, the third-place fighter in the black belt under 85 kg class.
Results:
Team:
- Brazil
- Emirates
- USA
Open Weight Black Belt:
- Tarsis Humphreys - Brazil
- Braulio Estima - UK
- Marcelo Garcia - USA
- Gabriel Vella - Brazil
Black Belt Under 65 kg:
- Rafael Mendes - Brazil
- Rubens Charles Maciel - USA
- Tiego Fernandes - Emirates
- Renato Tavares - USA
Black Belt Under 75 kg:
- Michael Langhi - Brazil
- Marcelo Garcia - USA
- Michel Maia - Brazil
- Claudio Calasans - Brazil
Black Belt Under 85 kg:
- Tarsis Humphreys - Brazil
- Victor Estima - UK
- Paulo Ricardo Rodrigues - Emirates
- Zumbi Larara - Brazil
Black Belt Under 95 kg:
- Rodolfo Vieira - Brazil
- Antonio Peinado - Brazil
- Lucio Rodrigues - UK
- Braulio Estima - UK
Black Belt over 95 kg:
- Alexandre De Souza - Brazil
- Gabriel Vella - Brazil
- Lucas Sachs - Brazil
- Bento Ribeiro - Portugal
Complete results of the 2009 World Professional Jiu-jitsu Cup
Video footage of the 2009 World Professional Jiu-jitsu Cup
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