Photo: IBJJF

The 2013 BJJ Pro League on Sunday, Dec. 8 was full of action. Stars of the past, present and future collided in the IBJJF’s only tournament with prize money (5,000 $ per division). 

In the rooster/light-feather/feather division, Gabriel Moraes faced Laercio Fernandes of Alliance and won by 1 sweep. The other semi final pitted Samir Chantre vs Rafael Barata Freitas (Gracie Barra). Chantre was victorious by nasty toe hold. In the final, both Moraes and Chantre were in a double guard pull scenario and Moraes won he came up to collect the advantage.

Photo IBJJF

In the light/middle division Victor Estima faced Osvaldo Augusto Queixinho. Estima won the match 8-2. On the other side of the bracket, Vitor Oliveira beat Francisco ‘Sinistro’ Iturralde of Alliance by advantages. In the final, Victor Estima submitted Oliveira by his trademark inverted triangle.

Photo: IBJJF

In the medium-heavy/heavyweight division, 2 new black belts, Keenan Cornelius and Jackson Souza had a real test. The first semi final pitted Keenan Cornelius vs Diego Gamonal. Cornelius submitted Gamonal  with an armlock after taking his back. In the other sem final, Jackson Souza beat the experienced Roberto Alencar by advantages.

The two new black belts met in the final and in a close match, Keenan won by sweep.

In the super-heavy/ultraheavy division, a bunch of BJJ legends were in action. Marcio “Pe de Pano” Cruz beat Ricardo Evangelista, by penalty point. The other semifinal was between Gustavo Pires and Eduardo Telles. Pires won by one sweep. In the final, Pires was leading during most the match but Pe de Pano was able to pull off a win with a armlock.

Photo: IBJJF