eyes on this division are going to be firmly focused on Kron Gracie, who competition wise has upheld his famous father’s legacy with incredible results, managing to submit all competitors at this years Pan American games. He is also 2007’s lone gold medalist in this division, making him the favorite on his competition merits alone. A few notes on some high profile Americans (sue me, I’m an American, I follow these things), Andrew “JudoGoat” Smith is in, where as due to injury Paul Schriener (who took third last year in this division) is out.

Pan Ams Kron Gracie Rickson Gracie
Brasilierio Igmar Santos Brasa
European Maxmiliano Carvalho Gracie Barra Hungria

Medium Heavy

An interesting bracket, to be sure, featuring competitors from all over the globe here. The number one seed, and the only gold medalist represented here, is Josh “NY Playboy” Griffiths, who won the Pan American championships and accredits much of his success in the last year to having a regular training partner and instructor in Marcelo Garcia. The first page actually has some fascinating matchups, Clark Gracie (the son of Carley Gracie) draw Jordan’s official BJJ instructor Zaid Mirza in the first round. Don Ortega, who is the USA representitive to the FILA world championships in a few weeks draws one of the prides of the Gracie Academy in Jarrod Kwity, and after an absence to concentrate on a promising wrestling career, standout Jayson Collard from Ralph Gracie is back to do some damage in this division. This figures to be on the best divisions to watch in the entire tournament.

Pan Ams Joshua Griffiths Alliance
Brasilierio Rodrigo Fajardo Gracie Barra Curitiba
European Fabio Fetter Never Shake Team

Heavyweight

Another intriguing division, all three of the gold medalists are present in this division making this anyone’s game. Kevin Casey training at Rickson’s academy has an incredible powerful game. Marko Helen mowed right through his competition at the Europeans and took second in the absolute, probably the best showing for any Eurpoean competitor at that tournament. The big spoilsport (and in my opinion the favorite)in this division has to be Chris Moriarty, who took third in the Mundial Absolute last year, but didn’t place in his own division after missing the final call and not fighting and he missed the Europeans and Pan Americans this year due to injury. Victor Toledo, who took second this year at the Brasiero, will also be present.

Pan Ams Kevin Casey Rickson Gracie
Brasilierio Antonio Carlos Alliance
European Marko Helen Tampereen Ju-Jutsukou

Super heavyweight

Three champions in three tournaments this year, and all Brazilian names. The only one here for a second go at the big gold is the Brasiliero champion Marcel Fortuna. 15 competitors to slug it out to the final.

Pan Ams Daniel Correa Brazilian Company JJ
Brasilierio Marcel Fortuna Gracie Florianópolis
European Ronilson Alves Condor


Super Super Heavyweight

The big boys, and surprisingly one of the more competitive divisions of the brown belts. Pan American champion Fabiano Silva is the only one here to return in the hopes of collecting more gold. The biggest of the big, Sergio Farnes, draws MMA fighter Mike Rogers in the first round. One of the rising stars from the Strikeforce promotion, Rex Richards (who has slimmed down to just over 300 from his arena football days) is also present, as is our good friend Asa Fuller and Leo Santos,, who took third in this division at the Pan Americans and second in the Absolute class.

Pan Ams Fabiano Silva American Top Team
Brasilierio Rodrigo Dangelo Gracie SP
European Karol Bedorf Berserker's Team



Black belt analysis coming soon! In the meantime check out the brackets here: http://www.ibjjf.org/cgi-bin/montachaves.asp