Copa Podio

Hi Guys, finally this event is only one day away, I'm sure you're all as excited as I am to see who will rain supreme at the heavyweight grand prix in Rio de Janeiro! The event will showcase a who's who of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with all major teams represented, the competitors are as follows;

 

All competitors are highly decorated at black belt bar one, Keenan Cornelius. Kennan was extremely successful at purple belt, winning the four major IBJJF tournaments at both his weight and the absolute, a feat never before accomplished. Keenan has continued this momentum into his brown belt career and gone up a weight class to further target the absolute divisions so it shall be very interesting to see how he does against the worlds best. In an interview for tatame Keenan gave an insight to his mindset while competing.

 

 "What I lack in experience I make up for with tenacity and heart. I think I'm ready for anything and I love competition, no matter what the situation or against whom. I do not have a strategy when in competitions, just try to keep the high pace of the fight, never give up and never slow down. "
 

The competition favourites have to be either Rodolpho Vieria or Xande Ribeiro. Rodolpho havs been on an incredible run the last few years, becoming 3 time world champion and has only lost once at black belt in what was one of the most exciting matches ever. Rodolpho's youth and incredible power contrasts with the experience of Xande, himself a 6 times world champion in the gi and twice champion of ADCC. Both have been drawn on the same side of the bracket along with Keenan so were are bound to see some fireworks early on...

 

The schedule has been release for what is going to be a superb event. You can get the stream for about 15 euros at www.copapodio.com . Please note all times are local and will have to be adjusted according to your time zone.

HEAVYWEIGHT GRAND PRIX TIMETABLE
4:00 PM – DOORS OPEN

5:30 PM – INTER-CITIES CHALLENGE
Manaus (Diego Borges/Checkmat) vs. Brasília (Luizinho Pereira/Gracie Humaitá)

5:50 PM– COUPLES SHOWDOWN
Augusto Tanquinho (Soul Fighters) vs. Davi Ramos (Atos/Top Brother)
Mackenzie Dern (Gracie Humaitá) vs. Marina Ribeiro (Checkmat)

6:10 pm– GP OPENING ROUND
Alexandre Souza (Gracie Floripa) vs. x Lúcio Lagarto (Gracie Barra/Londres)
Braga Neto (Gordo JJ/Porto Velho) vs. Bruno Bastos (Nova União/USA)
Caio Magalhães (Nova União/Fortaleza) vs. Léo Nogueira (Alliance/São Paulo)
Rodolfo Vieira (GFTeam/Rio de Janeiro) vs. Alexandro Ceconi (Ceconi Team/Criciúma)

6:45 PM – GP ROUND 2
João Gabriel (Soul Fighters/Rio de Janeiro) vs. Alexandre Souza (Gracie Floripa)
Lúcio Lagarto (Gracie Barra/Londres) vs. Braga Neto (Gordo JJ/Porto Velho)
Xande Ribeiro (Ribeiro JJ/Los Angeles) vs. Caio Magalhães (Nova União/Fortaleza)
Léo Nogueira (Alliance/São Paulo) vs. Rodolfo Vieira (GFTeam/Rio de Janeiro)

7:20 PM – GP ROUND 3
Bruno Bastos (Nova União/USA) vs. Alexandre Souza (Gracie Floripa)
João Gabriel (Soul Fighters/Rio de Janeiro) vs. Lúcio Lagarto (Gracie Barra/Londres)
Alexandro Ceconi (Ceconi Team/Criciúma) vs. Caio Magalhães (Nova União/Fortaleza)
Xande Ribeiro (Ribeiro JJ/Los Angeles) vs. Léo Nogueira (Alliance/São Paulo)

7:55 PM – GP ROUND 4
Braga Neto (Gordo JJ/Porto Velho) vs. Alexandre Souza (Gracie Floripa)
Bruno Bastos (Nova União/USA) vs. João Gabriel (Soul Fighters/Rio de Janeiro)
Rodolfo Vieira (GFTeam/Rio de Janeiro) vs. Caio Magalhães (Nova União/Fortaleza)
Alexandro Ceconi (Ceconi Team/Criciúma) vs. Xande Ribeiro (Ribeiro JJ/Los Angeles)

8:30 PM – GP ROUND 5 (FINAL ROUND)
Lúcio Lagarto (Gracie Barra/Londres) vs. Bruno Bastos (Nova União/USA)
Braga Neto (Gordo JJ/Porto Velho) vs. João Gabriel (Soul Fighters/Rio de Janeiro)
Léo Nogueira (Alliance/São Paulo) vs. Alexandro Ceconi (Ceconi Team/Criciúma)
Rodolfo Vieira (GFTeam/Rio de Janeiro) vs. Xande Ribeiro (Ribeiro JJ/Los Angeles)

9:05 PM– PÓDIO SUPERMATCH
Guto Campos (Guetho/Porto Alegre) vs. Wancler Oliveira (GFTeam/Aracaju)

9:30 PM – SEMIFINALS
1st place from Green Team vs. 2nd place from Yellow Team
1st place from Yellow Team vs. 2nd place from Green Team

9:50 PM – SPECIAL MATCH
Leandro Lo (Cícero Costha/São Paulo) vs. Felipe Preguiça (Gracie Barra/Belo Horizonte)

10:05 PM – FINALS
Third place match
Grand finale