Black Belt Division

Here we are, the best of the best in the gi will be crowned in the gi division. Let’s get right into it?

Rooster

On paper this looks like a three horse race between defending champion Daniel Otero, and challengers Bruno Malfacine and Felipe Costa. Bruno and Felipe will meet early in the division, assuming Bruno gets past the lone American in the division, Luis Gonzales (who took third at the Brasilieros by the way and is definitely no easy match. Daneil Otero probably has Andre Soares as his toughest opponent on his side of the bracket

2006 Mundials: Daniel Otero
Pan Ams: Bruno Malfacine
Brasilieros: Felipe Costa
2007 Copa Do Mundo: Bruno Malfacine
2007 CBJJE Mundials: Felipe Costa


Super Feather

2006 Champion Bibiano Fernandes is not competing this year, and even if he was he has been fighting up a weight class as of late. Bernardo Pitel comes in with the most momentum and is on the first page of a two sided bracket, It’s difficult to bet against multiple time champion Robson Moura (who has competed as a black belt in many of the mundials), on the other page.

2006 Mundials: Bibiano Fernandes
Pan Ams: Robson Moura
Brasilieros: Bernardo Pitel
Copa Do Mundo: Daniel Beleza
CBJJE Mundials: Bernardo Pitel



Featherweight


Maybe the most stacked division of the entire Mudials, however the man to beat is the defending champion, Rubens Charles. He defeated Mario Reis this year in the finals of a similarly stacked Pan American but Mario has rebounded nicely to win this years Copa Do Mundo. A repeat of that showdown is anything but a gimmie however, and this division is stacked with talent. Jonathas Gugel and Bruno Frazzatto have taken gold in major events this year as well and either one of them could easily be in the finals as well, and the brackets are seeded so this could be a final four. American Jeff Glover could be the spoiler here, he seems to get better with each competition and with his confidence up he could very easily be on medal podium as well. Wellington “Megaton” Dias has been on the podium several times this year as well, but is on the same fork as Rubens. First round match up of veterans Luis Heredia and Dave Jacobs should prove interesting, both are qualified for other divisions, but are here to mix it up with the best of the best.

Winner @ 2006 Mundials: Rubens Charles
Winner @ 2007 Pan Ams: Rubens Charles
Winner @ 2007 Brasilieros: Jonathas Gurgel
Winner @ 2007 Copa Do Mundo: Mario Reis
Winner @ 2007 CBJJE Mundials: Bruno Frazatto



Lightweight

The big favorite here has to be Celso “Celsinho” Vinicius, looking for his third straight Mundial title at this weight class. He’s got the tougher side of the bracket however to make things interesting. A likely match up for him in the semi-finals is Lucas Lepri. He faces a stiff test in his first round however, in Marcos “Torregrossa” Alejandro, making his black belt debut. Daisuke Suge could make it out of his bracket to medal in this division as well. The Carlos Machado in this division is not the same of the Machado brothers, by the way.

Winner @ 2006 Mundials: Celso Vinicius
Winner @ 2007 Pan Ams: Lucas Gomes
Winner @ 2007 Brasilieros: Celso Vinicius
Winner @ 2007 Copa Do Mundo: Renê Nazaré
Winner @ 2007 CBJJE Mundials: Lucas Lepri



Medium


The huge absence in this division is Marcelo Garcia, who is currently preparing for his MMA debut in K-1. Last years runner-up Andre Galvao is back in this division after flirting with a run at Medium Heavy has decided to drop back down. The likely showdown in this division will occur between Galvao and Murilo Santana I believe, who has won at the Brasilieros and the Copa Do Mundo this year , and also has an absolute title to his credit this year (defeating Galvao). I would call Santana the lead this year. Cassio Werneck makes his return to gi competition as well, interesting as he was a runner up in this division before (only losing by two points) and yet he is on the same page of the brackets as Andre Galvao is. On the third page is heralded American Mike Fowler, who has certainly emerged as a top notch competitor, but has two losses in the last year to Andre Galvao. This division I’ll be watching with a keen interest because I’m also on the third page of the brackets.


Winner @ 2006 Mundials: Marcelo Garcia
Winner @ 2007 Pan Ams: Marcelo Garcia
Winner @ 2007 Brasilieros: Murilo Santana
Winner @ 2007 Copa Do Mundo: Yan Cabral
Winner @ 2007 CBJJE Mundials: Murilo Santana



Medium Heavy

Braulio was forced to withdraw due to injury so were going to see a new champion in this division. Also, CBJJE champ Andre Galvao has opted to move back down to his the Medio. A lot of talent remains in this division however. Pan American and Brasilieros champion Romlo Barral holds a slight edge as the favorite here, his stiffest competition (and one of the better emerging rivalries on the circuit) comes from Tarsis Humphries. Keep an eye on American Luke Stewart, who dropped a controversial match to Tarsis at the Pan Americans. Saulo Ribiero comes out of his Mundial retirement to enter the division, as a six time world champion, could take this division as well.

Winner