IBJJF 2017 World Jiu-Jitsu ChampionshipMay 25, 2017 by FloGrappling
Marcio Andre Eyes IBJJF World Gold, Reflects On Rafael Mendes' Retirement
Marcio Andre Eyes IBJJF World Gold, Reflects On Rafael Mendes' Retirement
With the announcement that Mendes will not compete at Worlds, Andre is eyeing up his first black belt world title.
Marcio Andre relocated from Abu Dhabi to Arizona approximately four months ago to train at the Gustavo Dantas Academy for the 2017 IBJJF World Championships. He is one of the top competitors to converge on the training camp in Tempe, AZ, which has attracted talent from around the globe.
Andre took silver at the IBJJF 2016 World Championships, taking now-retired champion Rafael Mendes into deep waters in the final.
With the announcement that Mendes will not compete at Worlds, Andre is eyeing up his first black belt world title: "No-one knows what's going to happen, but I'm know I'm really ready for that, for sure."
In 2016, Andre fought his way through to the final in impressive fashion. He passed the guard and scored points in every match except against Mendes, including a pass to side control against legendary featherweight Cobrinha.
Amazingly, Andre said he managed to achieve this even though his training was far from optimal at that time.
"I did a great job. It's not like I didn't give my best, but I could have given more," Andre said. "The training in Abu Dhabi there, the conditions -- I had to work with a company, I had to focus on other things -- I just trained six-minute rounds, didn't train a lot. It's not easy to go there and fight against the best in the world and get a good result, but I went there and did a great job."
Mendes' retirement stings a little for Andre, but he's remarkably accepting of the record-breaking black belt's decision.
"For me, I'm not happy because I want to fight against him again," Andre said. "But he's six-time world champion. He doesn't need to prove anything -- he did it all. I'm trying to be a black belt world champion. He did it six times! It's hard to explain, but I want to fight him again for sure."
Photo: Chase Smith / FloGrappling
Andre spoke about the symbolic shaving of his head just 10 days out from the Worlds:
Andre took silver at the IBJJF 2016 World Championships, taking now-retired champion Rafael Mendes into deep waters in the final.
With the announcement that Mendes will not compete at Worlds, Andre is eyeing up his first black belt world title: "No-one knows what's going to happen, but I'm know I'm really ready for that, for sure."
In 2016, Andre fought his way through to the final in impressive fashion. He passed the guard and scored points in every match except against Mendes, including a pass to side control against legendary featherweight Cobrinha.
Amazingly, Andre said he managed to achieve this even though his training was far from optimal at that time.
"I did a great job. It's not like I didn't give my best, but I could have given more," Andre said. "The training in Abu Dhabi there, the conditions -- I had to work with a company, I had to focus on other things -- I just trained six-minute rounds, didn't train a lot. It's not easy to go there and fight against the best in the world and get a good result, but I went there and did a great job."
When you go to the tournament you always want to win, you don't want to lose. I lost by one advantage to Rafael [Mendes], but for me it's the same as getting submitted.[facebook url="https://www.facebook.com/jiujitsuspirits/photos/a.1077667945637619.1073741930.555490207855398/1077687042302376/?type=3&permPage=1"]
Mendes' retirement stings a little for Andre, but he's remarkably accepting of the record-breaking black belt's decision.
"For me, I'm not happy because I want to fight against him again," Andre said. "But he's six-time world champion. He doesn't need to prove anything -- he did it all. I'm trying to be a black belt world champion. He did it six times! It's hard to explain, but I want to fight him again for sure."
Photo: Chase Smith / FloGrappling
Andre spoke about the symbolic shaving of his head just 10 days out from the Worlds:
I went home and I had big hair, a big beard. I wanted to be free, to be light. I'm ready for war. I'm going to give my best at Worlds.
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