2016 Copa Podio Middleweight Grand Prix

Copa Podio Showdown: Braulio Estima vs Alexander Trans

Copa Podio Showdown: Braulio Estima vs Alexander Trans

​Original Text Matthew Bender​The second event of Copa Podio's 4th season will play out July 9th in Buenos Buenos Aires, Argentina. In addition to the Middl

May 21, 2016 by Chase Smith
Copa Podio Showdown: Braulio Estima vs Alexander Trans
​Original Text Matthew Bender

The second event of Copa Podio's 4th season will play out July 9th in Buenos Buenos Aires, Argentina. In addition to the Middleweight GP, the professional league will also feature the decider between the Cabras da Peste and Vikings. The winning team will face the Australian Kangaroos, on October 22, in Norway.

In the first battle between the athletes from the northeast of Brazil and Northern Europe, hosted last year in Rio, the Vikings came out on top, steeling the show and closing the score at 7 x 1 against the Cabras da Peste. According to Copa regulations, a submission is worth 5 points, while a points win equals 3, and a win off of advantage, 2. A draw is worth only one point to each team.

Captain of the 'Cabras' and current World and ADCC champion, Bráulio Estima knows he has a tough road ahead going up against Danish national Alexander Trans, who has the advantage of youth and weight against 'Carcará', who promises to be like a 'bull in a china shop' to overcome the giant.
 
"Even though my rival weighs 105 kg/231.5 lbs, I'll be coming at him like a bull. I don't give a damn. Trans is really strong, a great athlete and puts on a lot of pressure. It'll be tough matching him in strength, so I'll have to use a strategy to annul his strong point. I've got a few tricks to surprise him. Trans is young and tough, but the old guy over here is training hard and I really want a submission to take our team to the top", said Estima.

Captains Bráulio Estima and Alexander Trans are highly likely to decide the historical confrontation and the man from Pernambuco doesn't intend to shirk the responsibility of hoisting up the Northeast, something he's grown accustomed to through his many victories throughout his career on the mat.

"Whenever I fight I take my team and the region I'm from with me. I will always represent my roots, even more so because I was one of the first guys from the Northeast to make it abroad. I gladly accept this responsibility and hold it up high. A win through submission is what we are after. Fighting Trans will be a huge challenge, but I'll give my blood and sole to defend our team, which is at a disadvantage. Everything might come down to me and that will just add fuel to the fire, flaming my desire to win", said Bráulio, mentioning the biggest difference in terms of the Cabras da Peste.