It's Monday April 25 and we take a look back at the weekend. While all eyes were on Abu Dhabi for the World Pro, there was still plenty of jiu-jitsu out there worth keeping track of – here are your highlights. 

Rafael Mendes Warms Up For Worlds 

#1 ranked featherweight Rafael Mendes finally returned to competition with a jaunt at the IBJJF San Antonio Open, comfortably winning his division as part of his warm-up campaign for the World Championships. 

Mendes had three matches in total, beating Isaac Doerdelein of Alliance in the finals and Gabriel Marangoni of CTA in the semis. Here you can watch his opening match with Brian Stuebner of Brasa. 


________ 

Mansher Khera Beats Bruno Frazzato 

Alliance-Marcelo Garcia black belt Mansher Khera secured his spot at Worlds by earning enough qualifying points at the IBJJF San Antonio Open, and he did so by beating Atos veteran black belt Bruno Frazzato in the final of the lightweight division. 

The match was characterized by Khera trying to pass and defending all sweeps in the face of Frazzato’s excellent guard, and you can see the video below. Khera won with 2 advantages. 

________ 

Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Awards – Winners Crowned 

The red carpet awards ceremony that followed the 2016 Abu Dhabi World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship was a lavish affair and something new to jiu-jitsu. 

The first of what will become an annual event, the awards recognized the top athletes of the season. The winners earned their titles by competing in UAEJJF events such as the Grand Slam tour and gaining rank points.  

The results are: 

• Best International Academy: GFTeam
  
• Best Male Brown Belt: Nicholas Meregali
  
• Best Black-Brown Belt Female: Tayane Porfirio
  
• Best Black Belt: Erberth Santos
  

Keep an eye out for recap videos coming soon from the Abu Dhabi World Pro and the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Awards.

 


Got a tip for a story? Contact me by email or via Twitter and let me know!