Abu Dhabi 2017 World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Legends Return For Abu Dhabi Superfights: Florian, Shaolin, Megaton, & More

Legends Return For Abu Dhabi Superfights: Florian, Shaolin, Megaton, & More

Following on from 2016's initiative in featuring a number of superfights between stars of yesteryear, a series of 'legends' matches have been announced for the Abu Dhabi World Pro.

Feb 28, 2017 by Hywel Teague
Legends Return For Abu Dhabi Superfights: Florian, Shaolin, Megaton, & More
The 11-day extravaganza that is the UAEJJF's Abu Dhabi 2017 World Jiu-Jitsu festival has just added another special attraction to the event. 

Following on from 2016's initiative to feature a number of superfights between stars of yesteryear, a series of "legends" matches have been announced for the Abu Dhabi World Pro on April 18-22 with competitors including former BJJ world champions, UFC title challengers, and more. 

Confirmed Legends superfights

  • ​Vitor ‘Shaolin’ Ribeiro vs Kenny Florian
  • Baret Yoshida vs Alexande ‘Soca’ Freitas 
  • Wellington ‘Megaton’ Dias vs Helio ‘Soneca’ Moreira 
  • Gabriel Gonzaga vs Marcio ‘Pe de Pano’ Cruz 
  • Amaury Bitetti vs Roberto Traven

Kenny Florian will challenge Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro for the -82kg title belt. Florian made his return to the gi just last year with an inauspicious showing at the IBJJF New York Spring International Open in April. Shaolin has been regularly competing for the last 18 months, winning the IBJJF 2016 Masters Worlds and competing in various superfights. Shaolin defeated Daniel Moraes in 2016 for the title. 


Alexandre 'Soca' Freitas will defend the -73kg title he won in 2016 by beating Robson Moura, taking on the very tough challenger Baret Yoshida. The two met under no-gi rules at ADCC 2003 and now will meet 14 years later in the gi. 



Wellington "Megaton" Dias -- a stalwart of competition jiu-jitsu since the mid-90s -- will meet Helio "Soneca" Moreira for the vacant -65kg title. Though a world title has always eluded him, Dias is famous for many reasons, and he has competed nonstop for over 20 years. A Gracie Barra product, "Soneca" was a world champion in 1996 at the inaugural World Championships. 

The Abu Dhabi 2017 World Pro will be live streamed on FloGrappling April 18-22, 2017.