BJJ legend Xande Ribeiro could be out of this year’s Worlds , which will be held at the end of May in California.

Xande has recently moved back to Brazil to focus on the growth of the Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu network there.

In an interview with Tatame magazine, Xande who holds five world titles, said that the groin injury that he suffered last weekend at the Brazilian Championship, might be serious.

“I haven’t seen a doctor yet, but if I were to speak today, to get out there and fight the guys with a bruise in such a delicate area, I would not to fight. I don’t  know what it is, but I can not make any movement such as kicking a ball, for example. I went to open a door with his foot and almost fell. It’s a pain that is bothering me a lot, even for driving it’s difficult, ”

 

Said Xande, who is afraid of forcing the injury and end up having to undergo surgery in the future.

“Let’s do an MRI and an ultrasound to see what is going on. I will not lose faith that I can recover. However, I have to decide if it is worth fighting with an injury that was poorly healed and run the risk of getting hurt again and stay away for longer. I’ll need to hold on a little longer, treat the injury, have a strong physiotherapy. There will be other competitions this year, like the World Masters, The Brazilian team, The World Pro next year … I do not want to force this injury to the point of having to undergo surgery later on, “He said.

 

The Saulo Ribeiro’s brother said that he won’t regret it if he stays out of the Worlds and revealed that he plans to compete at a high level for another three years – Xande turned 33 years in January.

“If I don’t compete in the Worlds I really will not regret it either, because I want to fight to win. So for me, it will not be the end of the world. Since 2008, I just missed 1 edition of the Worlds. But I do not see it as a problem. I have nothing to prove to anybody. Today I fight for the Worlds more for pleasure than to be there competing with the obligation to win. My body is asking for a rest. Suddenly, I can do a better treatment in my bruises. I will not be crying. There are World every year. I’ll have more time to be able to heal and come back stronger. I think I still have a good three years of competition with this new generation of kids, “he concluded.

Xande Ribeiro’s last match at the 2014 Brasileiros in Sao Paulo: