Kid Peligro Jiu-Jitsu News . . . ADCC 2003 Day One - Upsets, Youngbloods Rise and Arona topples Kerr
Submitted by: Kid Peligro / ADCC JJ Editor
Posted On 05/18/2003
Day one of ADCC 2003 had a large share of upsets and the aanouncement of the arrival of the 'youngbloods'. The first of the major upsets occured when Roger Gracie defeated multiple times Champion Mario Sperry by points in a great battle. The two fighters exchanged position and takedown attempts until Roger got a sweep from the guard and ended up mounted on Sperry. After series of great exchanges young Roger got the points win.
As if that was not enough, Royler Gracie, in his second match of the day against Eddie Bravo, was submmited via triangle choke. Royler was ahead by a score of 6 x 2 when Bravo, somehow managed to slap a tight triangle on Gracie and get the sub with less than one minute to go in the match.
Bravo stayed on the mat overcome with emotion. Soon after the match, the two exchanged hugs. Royler, who up to that point had not been scored upon in 13 ADCC matches was stunned and commented: 'I like to think of myself as a machine but sometimes I realise that I am not one!'
Bravo on his next match met up with one of the 'youngbloods' in Leo Vieira, and lost by a large score as Leo did a display of modern, dynamic Submission wrestling rarely seen before in competition. When asked if he was still thinking of his previous match Bravo replied: 'No! He just fought a great fight!'
The final stunning upset was the work of young Marcelinho, who choked Vitor 'Shaolin' out in less than 30 seconds. Marcelinho had defeated Renzo Gracie in his previous match by points ( 9 x 0) after getting Renzo's back earlu in the match also.
In other matches:
Baret Yoshida was down 6 x 0 with one minute to to and still managed to win over Soca 9 x 6
In the 88KG is going to be Saulo who beat David Terrel in an overtime war against Jacare who beat Ricardo Almeida in a five overtime war, that was so far the best match ever in ADCC history.
In the 99KG it will be Cacareco who submitted Xande Ribeiro and Jon Olav Einemo who beat Roger Gracie by points 2 x 0
In the over division, Pe de Pano had the fastest submission against Paz (under 15 seconds guillotine) and even managed a takedown against Jeff Monson in the earlier round, will face Werdun who submitted Van Arsdale by armlock
The Superfight saw a superfit Ricardo Arona beat Mark Kerr in overtime by a takedown. The fight was a 30 minute stand up battle with Kerr appearing uncharacteristically out of shape but still managing to make a match out of it.
More fights today as the finals and the absolute take place.