@ 2006 Mundials: Braulio Estima
Winner @ 2007 Pan Ams: Romulo Barral
Winner @ 2007 Brasilieros: Romulo Barral
Winner @ 2007 Copa Do Mundo: Alexandre de Souza
Winner @ 2007 CBJJE Mundials: Andre Galvao



Heavyweight

The top seed here has to be the King of the 2006 Mundial, defending champion “Xande” Ribeiro. 2007 has seen it’s share of ups and downs for Xande however, as he took a devastating loss and injury to Braulio Estima in the finals of the European Absolute. He healed up and came back strong to win his division at ADCC, but then dropped a grueling bout in the first round of the absolute division to David Avellan. How will Xande look at the Mundials. He’s proven that he’s virtually unstoppable when he’s on, and Xande claims he is on right now.

A few standouts are looking to spoil Xande’s party however. The most intriguing name has to be Fernando “Margarida” Pontes who is making another return to the BJJ competition scene. Margarida is a two time Absolute champion himself, and when he was on his run you could argue he was the most dominating champion in the history of the Mundials. A motorcycle accident and subsequent long lay off definitely hurt Margarida’s competition game however, and never seemed to recapture the magic he had in his impeccable run. But maybe it’s back now? Also returning from a long lay off from competition is Flavio Almedia, and I have to admit the Margarida vs Flavio battles are some of my favorite gi matches of all time.

The hottest athlete in this division has to be Roverto Tozi, who won at the Brasileros and the CBJJE Mundials this year. Eduardo Telles also deserves mention as the Pan American champion this year. American standout Rick Macauley is also in the mix here as well.

Winner @ 2006 Mundials: Alexandre Ribeiro
Winner @ 2007 Pan Ams: Eduardo Telles
Winner @ 2007 Brasilieros: Roberto Tozi
Winner @ 2007 Copa Do Mundo: Bruno Bastos
Winner @ 2007 CBJJE Mundials: Roberto Tozi



Super Heavy

The easy story here would be to say that Roger Gracie is the favorite in the division and leave it at that. However, he will have no easy time here I believe and there are a few others than could legitimately take the title here. On the same page of the two page bracket is Rodrigo “Comprido” Medeiros, perhaps the most underrated two time Mundial Absolute champion there is. On the second page is a red hot Robert Drysdale, fresh off the absolute title at ADCC this year. The forth seed, and a name that I believe we will be talking about for sometime, is Antonio Braga Neto. Antonio will be making his Black Belt Mundial debut, but he has division wins in the his division and the absolute division for the brown, purple and blue belt divisions of each of the previous years. If he can continue this streak into the black belts it would be a remarkable feat.


Winner @ 2006 Mundials: Roger Gracie
Winner @ 2007 Pan Ams: Rafael Lovato
Winner @ 2007 Brasilieros: Rafael Lovato
Winner @ 2007 Copa Do Mundo: Antônio Braga Neto
Winner @ 2007 CBJJE Mundials: Adriano Pires


Super Super Heavy

Interesting strategy here, as Rafael Lovato Jr. arguably the best American gi competitor on the circuit, has decided not to enter the division he has taken three gold medals in this year (Super Heavyweight) and moved up to the Super Super Heavyweight. The thing is, Rafael is naturally a Heavyweight and in this case now is fighting a full two weight divisions above his walking weight. Teammate Vinicius Magalhaes draw Roy “Big Country” Nelson in the first round. UFC 2 veteran Remco Parduel makes his return to the black belt division here, but has a tough draw in Ricardo Barros, the winner of which has an even tougher draw in Brailieros and CBJJE champion Luis “Big Mac” Theodoro.


Winner @ 2006 Mundials: Gabriel Gonzaga
Winner @ 2007 Pan Ams: Comprido
Winner @ 2007 Brasilieros: Luiz Theodoro
Winner @ 2007 Copa Do Mundo: Henrique Marcos
Winner @ 2007 CBJJE Mundials: Luis Theodoro



Absolute

Traditionally, the brackets are not made for the Absolute division until the day of. Xande will be here to defend hs crown, Roger will try to finally take the gold here. Lots of other names will attempt to take the title here however. We will also likely see former champions
In Margarida and Comprido. Three others competing this weeked have claimed Absolute titles this year including Romulo Barral, Luiz Theodoro and Murilo Santana. Americans Robert Drysdale and Rafael Lovato Jr are America’s best chances in this division. Antonio Braga Neto will certainly look to meet the success he’s enjoyed in the absolute division of all the previous belt levels.


Winner @ 2006 Mundials: Xande Ribiero
Winner @ 2007 Pan Ams: Romulo Barral
Winner @ 2007 Brasilieros: Luiz Theodoro
Winner @ 2007 Copa Do Mundo: Fabricio Werdum
Winner @ 2007 CBJJE Mundials: Murilo Santana

Female Brown/Black

Who else would try to preview the women’s division? Historically the United States has seen the best competition fields for women anywhere, it would make sense that the Mundials will be among the toughest gi fields ever for women.

Super Feather

Pan