OntheMat.com is pleased to announce our choice for BJJ Gi Fighter of the year goes to Roger Gracie [2].
Roger has emerged as the most dominant BJJ competitor of the last decade, marked by an incredible performance at the 2009 Mundials when he won both his division and the absolute.
Incredibly, Roger did so by winning all of his matches by submission. More so, he basically used the same submission each time; each match was finalized by a choke from the mount. Such dominance is almost unheard of in the modern era of combat sports, let alone taking out other world class competitors in the process.
Says OTM co-founder Gumby: “Roger is clearly the most dominant athlete in the sport today, and every one of his competitors know it. More so than beating Roger, just surviving the encounter with Roger is a goal that most are trying to attain.”
Roger earns the distinction despite being sidelined much of the rest of the year with injuries and illness. 2010 looks bright however as Roger has titles to defend and an MMA career to take shape.
Congratulations Roger Gracie [2], OTM’s BJJ Fighter of the Year!
Previous Winners
OTM BJJ Fighter of the Year 2003: Fredson Paixao [3]
OTM BJJ Fighter of the Year 2004: Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza [4]
OTM BJJ Fighter of the Year 2005: Alexandre “Xande” Ribeiro
[5]
OTM BJJ Fighter of the Year 2006: Marcelo Garcia [6]
OTM BJJ Fighter of the Year 2007: Rafael Lovato Jr. [7]
OTM BJJ Fighter of the Year 2008: Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles [8]