Check out our recap of how the IBJJF Heavyweight Grand Prix played out on Saturday in Las Vegas...

Buchecha vs. Dimitrius Souza

Buchecha tried a shot but Dimitrius avoided. Souza pulled guard and worked a flexible bottom game, with Buchecha patiently stripping grips and looking for openings.

A lightning-fast bullfighter pass saw Buchecha briefly attack the back, but Souza recovered guard without giving up points.

Buchecha had to avoid a series of tricky lapel attacks from Souza, including one that resulted in a brief omoplata attack.

Almeida dived on a gnarly neck-crank type of rear-naked choke in the final 20 seconds but was denied by the buzzer.

Buchecha took the win via points 0-0 (2-0 adv)

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Joao Gabriel Rocha vs. Pe de Pano

In a predictable clash of styles, Pe de Pano looked close to threatening Rocha with his unorthodox bottom game. Rocha patiently played from top looking for openings, coming close to securing an kimura but unable to clearly isolate the arm.

Rocha wins via points 0-0 (1-0 adv)

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Leandro Lo vs. Ricardo Evangelista

Evangelista started the match aggressively jumping guard and looking for single leg pick-ups from bottom. His third guard jump saw him use his long, heavy legs for a scissor sweep.

Lo is usually the one to push the pace in his matches, but Evangelista was the one chasing Lo around and actively looking to score. After a hectic three opening minutes, Lo pulled guard for the first time to work his cross-collar control but came out with nothing.

Midway through the match, Lo scored two for hard-fought-for single legs, trying to hoist the big man but settling to knock him down by running the pipe.

Lo hit a pass just past the five-minute mark to settle into side control. By placing his foot into half guard and passing again, Lo scored another easy three points, going up to 10-2 before latching onto a fast kimura for the submission.

Leandro Lo wins via kimura

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Andre Galvao vs. Xande Ribeiro

Galvao and Ribeiro both have solid judo and wrestling, so neither seemed eager to make the first move during the first couple of minutes of the match and were content to fight for grips. Galvao bulled Ribeiro out of bounds, hinting at the wrestling training he's undergoing in preparation for ADCC.

It took four minutes before the match went to the mat, with Ribeiro pulling guard. Galvao looked close to securing a pass, but Xande showed his incredible ability to avoid getting pinned by going to his knees.

With around two minutes left, Ribero inverted and threatened briefly with a kneebar, but Galvao again forced Ribeiro to turtle and racked up further advantage points.

Galvao wins via points 0-0 (4-0 adv)

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Semifinal: Buchecha vs. Joao Gabriel Rocha

In a matchup of the sport's finest ultra heavyweights, Buchecha and Rocha fought for the second time this year. All too aware of each other's potential, they started hesitantly, engaging in a subtle exchange of standing grips and looking for the right moment to attack.

Around three minutes in Buchecha exploded in his trademark fashion, blast double-legging Rocha out of bounds and immediately attacking for an armlock but was denied by the referee as they came close to landing on the concrete floor. Buchecha's efforts were unfortunately only worth an advantage.

A collar-drag takedown put Buchecha on top once again, scoring two. Rocha answered after the restart with an attempt of his own, dumping Buchecha from a rear body lock. As they fell out of bounds, Rocha scored only an advantage.

Not to be outdone, Buchecha again shot for another two points, threatening to get the back. As Rocha went for a waiter sweep, Buchecha channeled his teammate Luiz Panza and hit a belly-down ankle lock for the tap.

Buchecha wins via ankle lock

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Semifinal: Leandro Lo vs. Andre Galvao

Galvao and Lo know each other so well, having fought many times. It took over three minutes for the first attack of any significance, with Lo coming close to getting that single leg pick-up from seated guard he does so well. Galvao's balance proved too good, and he was able to kick out.

It was Lo who pulled to guard again. This time Galvao put on the pressure and tried to advance, but Lo's cross-collar grip and excellent hip movement stuffed Galvao's forward momentum.

As we've seen in their previous matches, Lo is so good at defending Galvao's passing, while Galvao is equally as good as defending Lo's sweeps. Galvao tried switching it up by pulling guard in the last 20 seconds, but the match stayed tied at 0-0 until the very end, with Lo winning via a late advantage.

Lo wins via 0-0 (1-0 adv)

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Final: Buchecha vs. Leandro Lo

It took less than 20 seconds for Lo to jump to guard, playing a collar grip and using his long legs to unbalance Buchecha. Lo came close to getting under Buchecha's hips, but the big man's agility enabled him to spin out and stay on top. Two and a half minutes in, Lo came close to knocking Buchecha over and scored an advantage for the near sweep.

Lo seemed happy to work his guard, pulling again and this time working a de la riva guard. Buchecha started to control Lo's legs and seemed close to passing, but Lo's amazing flexibility saved him. The score became even at 0-0, 1-1 adv.

Around midway through the match, Buchecha seemed unusually slow in getting back to his feet during a restart, with ringside spectators asking if he was hurt or in some other way unwell. His breathing seemed labored.

Lo returned to guard, and Buchecha's trademark explosiveness was nowhere to be seen. With two minutes left, he changed tactics to a slower, heavier style of passing.

Buchecha tried grinding through Lo's guard, but the match ended dead even at 0-0, 1-1 adv. As Buchecha stood, his gi came open and he rubbed at his ribs and torso, which appeared to be taped up.

After 10 minutes and with the scores even Buchecha won via referees decision

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