Roberto Jimenez Ready to Battle Elite Black & Purple Belts in Korea

Roberto Jimenez is no stranger to the limelight.

A participant in super fights and professional shows since he was a green belt, the young man has taken his highly-touted potential and delivered at every rank – his purple belt run culminated with an incredible double gold performance at the 2018 World championships where he submitted all ten of his opponents.

Watch the 2019 Spyder Invitational Qualifier LIVE or On Demand on FloGrappling, March 2

Awarded gold on the podium, Jimenez has been unable to compete in IBJJF events since that moment due to the minimum time limits placed on time spent at each rank (he will be eligible again in March), but that doesn't mean he hasn't kept busy. 

Roberto Jimenez: ADCC West Coast trials.

He most recently and took home 3rd and 4th place at both the East and West Coast ADCC trials after two impressive campaigns and will be jumping right back into action this weekend at the 2019 Spyder Invitational Qualifier.

Jimenez will be in the -100kg bracket, an absurdly competitive blend  of veterans and rising talents, including black belt competitors Claudio Calanans, Marcos Tinoco, Matheus Diniz, Tim Spriggs.

But before he'll have the chance to meet any of those storied athletes, he'll need to get past surging purple belt talent Andreson Munis of Brazil.  

Anderson is one of three highly competitive jiu-jitsu brothers: Anderson and his brother Erich took home gold at Europeans, while Alex settled for silver. All of them remain somewhat unknown in the United State as they have yet to secure the visas required to enter and compete inside of the country.

But make no mistake, Anderson is excellent, and Jimenez knows it:

I look at the belt, but I mostly study the person. I’ve seen him compete in Abu Dhabi… He’s very tall, so he’s got the reach advantage.  I’ve seen him fight before and always wanted to face him, so I can't wait for this weekend.

The winner of Anderson & Roberto will face the victor of Calasans versus Tinoco – meaning we're guaranteed a generational bout for the ages.  Check out the full bracket below.

As the image above indicates – a podium finish for either colored belt in this division is a testament to their talents and sheer will to overcome great odds.  

We simply can't wait to see how this division plays out.