IBJJF Grand Prix has had a tough time coming together this year. Following the biggest sensation Roger Gracie backing out, the event has hit another snag.
Mahamed Aly, semifinalist in the 2016 GP, left the competition after getting an injury. The 23 year old black belt under Lloyd Irvin and a student of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will be replaced by a certified legend – Xande Ribeiro.
Xande just fought Roberto Cyborg Abreu to a draw at Copa Podio’s Middleweight Grand Prix.
O destino funciona de formas incríveis, e este sábado fomos postos a prova. Tempo, sem tempo, tempo de novo, o guerreiro caboclo não escolhe as regras, ele luta a luta . Quase 50 min de batalha com um dos melhores do mundo em um palco que se forjam homens de ferro. Saio um lutador e ser humano melhor. Obrigado a minha família e a todos que estavam do meu lado. Oss. •••• Destiny works in incredible ways, and this Saturday we were put to the test. Time, no time, time again, the caboclo warrior does not choose the rules, he fights the fight. Nearly 50 min of battle with one of the world’s best on a stage that iron men are forged. I’m a better fighter and a better human being after this. Thanks to to my family and to all who were on my side. Oss. •••• #WeAreRibeiro #6Blades #RibeiroJiuJitsu #Guerreiro6Blades #BJJLibrary #JiuJitsuDeRaiz #TheU #JiuJitsuTemple #RibeiroJJLaJolla #YogaFuzn #JiuJitsu #Yoga #BJJ #Caboclo6Blades #Ribeiro #Xande #XandeRibeiro #Caboclo #Caboco #TeamCaboclos #copapodio #adcc2017 #NoGi #Manaus #Amazonas #Amazon @bjjlibrary @ribeirojiujitsu @unijjsd @ribeirojjlajolla @ribeirojiujitsubrasil @copapodio @cyborgbjj ? by @dcouthphotographer
A post shared by Alexandre Xande Ribeiro (@xanderibeirojj) on Aug 14, 2017 at 11:50am PDT
The official announcement of his Grand Prix involvement was announced on the IBJJF social media:
Interestingly back in 2015 Xande was able to defeat Roger’s replacement Pa De Pano in a superfight at American Nationals.
Up to that point, Xande had lost 3 times in a row to Pe and he was finally able to pull out a win.
Xande Ribeiro vs Adam Wardzinski (Final) Abu Dhabi Grand Slam London 2017
