From May 30, 31, June 01 and 02 2013 at the Long Beach pyramid in California. The Worlds is the biggest and most prestigious tournament of the year. You can follow it by live streaming on IBJJF TV and also we at BJJ Eastern Europe will do a LIVE PLAY BY PLAY on Saturday and Sunday. This Worlds will be the first time ever that there will be random drug testing at the black belt level.
Schedule: http://www.ibjjf.org/mundial2013schedule.htm
Athlete list: https://www.ibjjfdb.com/CampeonatoInscricao/PorCategoriaETimePdf?CampeonatoId=177
Brackets: http://www.usbjjf.org/bracket_viewer/Bracket.html
*** Black Adult Masculino – Galo / Rooster-weight / under 58,3kg ***
Reigning Champion: Bruno Malfacine (2012)
Contenders: Brandon Mullins, Koji Shibamoto, Jordy Peute, Takahito Yoshioka, Bruno da Silva Malfacine, Fabbio Passos de Alencar, Caio Terra, Felipe Costa.
What might happen: This looks like a rematch between Caio Terra and his arch nemeses Bruno Malfacine. The advantage goes to Caio Terra who has been very active in recent competitions. Malfa has been coming back from an injury and also lost to Caio at the last Pan. Watch out for a surprise Japanese start Koji Shibamoto who has taken silver at the Euros and Worlds. Caio takes the gold over Malfacine.
*** Pluma / Light Featherweight / under 64,3kg ***
Reigning Champion:Guilherme Mendes (2012)
Contenders: Guilherme Mendes, Laercio Fernandes, Carlos Holanda, Samir Chantre, Ary Farias, Gabriel Willcox, Ronaldo Candido, and Paulo Mello
What might happen: Guilherme Mendes looks like the heavy favorite here. He and his brother seem to be almost unbeatable at the moment. A three-time world champion, he is the the top dog at light feather. Laercio Fernandes, will fight for the other spot in the final. Ary Farias also seems capable of making it the final. The problem is that he is also part of Atos, just like Gui… Gui Mendes takes the gold beating Laercio Fernandes.
*** Pena / Featherweight / under 70,3 kg ***
Reigning Champion: Rafael Mendes (2012)
Contenders: Rafael Mendes, Rubens Cobrinha, Augusto Tanquinho, Mario Reis, Sandro Batata, Andre Tim Monteiro, Eduardo Ramos, Daisuke Nakamura.
What might happen: This division is stacked with the usual suspects. this has to be the most stacked division there is. Rafael Mendes has remained unbeaten for over 2 years in an extremely difficult division. We should see at Rubens Cobrinha vs. Augusto Tanquinho and Rafael Mendes vs. Mario Reis semi finals. Tanquinho-Cobrinha will be very close while Rafa vs Mario Reis should be easier for Rafa. The final should be another Cobrinha vs Mendes. Their last match was again very close. I feel that this time, luck will go Cobrinha’s way and he will take it by referee decision.
*** Leve / Lightweight / under 76,3kg ***
Reigning Champion: Leando Lo (2012)
Contenders: Michael Langhi, Lucas Lepri, Zach Maxwell Rodrigo Caporal, Oliver Geddes, Jt Torres, Vinicius Marinho, Roberto Satoshi Souza, Magid Hage.
What might happen: Last year’s champ Leandro Lo will be there and he has been on fire in the past tournaments. The way the brackets are set up it looks like it will be a first semi final between Langhi and Satoshi and the second between Lo and Lepri. Satoshi has been training at Atos and could creat a surprise by once again beating Langhi (like at the Euros last year). It should be a Lo vs Satoshi final will Leandro Lo bullfight passing his way to the win.
*** Medio / Middleweight / under 82,3kg ***
Reigning Champion: Otavio Sousa (2012)
Contenders: Otavio Sousa, Claudio Clasans, Victor Estima, Murilo Santana, Marcelo Mafra, Renato Cardoso, Jake McKenzie, Clark Gracie, DJ Jackson, Lucas Rocha, Kayron Gracie, Ian McPherson, Tio Chico,
What might happen: The exciting Kron Gracie will also be missing as he preparing for his No gi match with Shinya Aoki. 2012 world champ Otavio Sousa is here. The first semi final should be Otavio vs Dj Jackson, and the second, Calasans vs Victor Estima. Victor chocked out Calasans in a exciting match at the world pro last month and and Claudio will not make the same mistake twice. This should be a Calasans vs Otavio final with Calasans taking it by a small margin.
*** Meio-Pesado / Middle-Heavyweight / under 88,3kg ***
Reigning Champion: Romulo Barral (2012)
Contenders: Romulo Barral, Andre Galvao, Tarsis Humphreys, Felipe Preguica Pena, Abmar Barbosa, Braulio Estima, Dimitrious Souza, Eduardo Telles, Rodrigo Fajardo, Guto Campos.
What might happen: Even though there some big names here, the three biggest names that stick out Romulo Barral , Andre Galvão and the return of the ex division king: Braulio Estima (who is preparing for his superfight with Rodolfo Vieira). Barral is back from a knee injury suffered just months earlier at the World Pro. The big question will be if he is in fact 100%. Braulio Estima is a last second edition. The first semi final should be opposing Romulo vs Guto Campos and the second Braulio vs Galvao. This should be another Atos close out just like at the Pan.
*** Pesado / Heavyweight / under 94,3 kgs***
Reigning Champion: Lucas Leite (2012)
Contenders: Rodolfo Vieira, Xande Riberio, Yuri Simoes, Lucas Leite, Nivaldo Oliveira, Roberto Tussa Alencar, Diego Herzog, kevin Casey.
What might Happen: Who can beat Rodolfo in his weight class? It will be intersting to see Rickson Gracie black belt Kevin Casey in action in the gi once again. The first semi final should feature Rodolfo vs Nivaldo, and the second Xande vs Tossa. Another Rodolfo vs Xande final with Rodolfo taking this one.
*** Super-Pesado / Super-Heavyweight / under 100,3 kg ***
Reigning Champion: leo Nogueira (2012)
Contenders: Leo Leite, Bernardo Faria, Joao gabriel, Rafael Lovato Jr, Joao de Assis.
What might happen: Last year’s winner Leo Nogueira is out injured. Look outfor Leo Leite who is for the first time in over ten years fighting at Super Heavy. Young gun Joao Gabriel will be there. The first semi final will face Bernardo Faria vs Joao Assis and the second. Lovato vs Leo Leite. Expect to see a Faria vs Lovato final with Lovato winning a second world title.
*** Pesadissimo / Ultra-Heavyweight / over 100,3kg ***
Reigning Champion: Marcus Buchecha (2012)
Contenders: Marcus Buchecha Almeida, Alexander Trans, Roberto Cybor Abreu, Orlando Sanchez, Rodrigo Cavaca.
What might happen: The current double world champ Marcus Buchecha seems very hard to beat at the moment. AlexanderTrans will be riding on his gold and bronze at Europeans. Another contender is the always dangerous Roberto Cyborg who will be in good shape as he is preparing for a fight in Metamoris. Alexander Trans should beat Roberto Cyborg and face Marcus Almeida in first semi final. The second semi final should face Rodrigo Cavac and the impressive Orlando Sanchez. Expect to see another meetup between student and teacher as Buchecha and Cavac close out the division.
*** Absolute ***
Reigning Champion: Marcus Buchecha(Checkmat)
Contenders: Marcus Buchecha, Rodolfo Vieira, Bernardo Faria, Rafael Lovato, Romulo Barral, Alexander Trans, Andre Galvao.
What might happen: Hard to bet against Buchecha but anything can happen.
