Lovato Jr taps Vagner Rocha with RNC
We started the month off on a high note with a trip to Palm Beach, Florida, where I had the opportunity to coach and help prepare world champion Rafael Lovato Jr. for his match against the always dangerous Vagner Rocha at Thug Trials 3.
The event featured a stacked lineup of elite grapplers, including two of the top female competitors in the sport today, Helena Crevar and Adele Fornarino. It was a great showcase of high level jiu jitsu from start to finish.
Leading up to the match, we spent a lot of time studying and preparing for Vagner’s game. He is a difficult opponent with strong wrestling, a tricky guard, and some of the best back defense skills in the sport. In recent years, he escaped from the back against athletes like Gordon Ryan, Victor Hugo, and most recently William Tackett at UFC BJJ, so we knew finishing opportunities would be hard to come by.
The opening portion of the match went more in Vagner’s favor than we anticipated, largely because of his relentless hand fighting and ability to slow the pace. Once Lovato was able to establish top position, however, the momentum shifted dramatically. From there, it was a showcase of Six Blades Jiu Jitsu as Lovato methodically worked through Vagner’s half guard before eventually taking the back and securing a rear naked choke finish. It was an impressive result against an athlete who has become known for his ability to survive in those positions.
It was a great performance and an exciting way to kick off the month.
Lovato Sr and Jr in town
The following week, we had the pleasure of welcoming Rafael Lovato Sr. to the academy for a self defense seminar on Thursday, May 18th. The class was packed, and students had the opportunity to learn practical techniques and concepts from one of the most respected instructors in martial arts. It was a great evening of learning and a reminder of the importance of self defense as a core part of jiu jitsu training.
Later in the month, we were fortunate to have Rafael Lovato Jr. back in town for a week, along with my friend and No Gi World Champion James Puopolo. Lovato taught an outstanding seminar focused on the knee slice from headquarters, adding several valuable details to the mid range passing system that we teach at the academy. Everyone was excited to learn from one of the best competitors and instructors in the sport.
Personally, I was able to get four days of excellent training in both gi and no gi while Lovato was here. He is currently preparing for upcoming matches at BJJ Stars in Brazil and ONE Championship in Thailand, which will be the next events where I will be helping with coaching, game planning, and cornering.
A lot of academies talk about offering world class instruction, but at Jubera Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, world champions trust us with their preparation. From coaching and game planning to cornering at major events around the world, our students benefit from training in an environment that is connected to the highest levels of the sport.
Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu at World Championships
Then this last weekend May 30th and 31st we had the IBJJF world championship where Six Blades had some standout performances. Felipe Costa took 3rd in the Open Weight black belt division,. Windson took 3rd in the super heavy division at black belt and Elizabeth Clay fresh off her amazing performance at No-Gi Worlds took 2nd in her division.
We just had Felipe Costa do an amazing seminar at our academy in January where he was teaching and training with our guys here in Broomfield, Colorado. Then I was also training with him and Windson in Feb in Austin and again I made it to train with Felipe in April. It is great to see them both competing so well in the gi while they have been competing in pro no-gi matches as well.