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ADCC 2015 takes place in Sao Paulo, Brazil on August 29 & 30, 2015, we continue handicapping the divisions with the Under 88KG division. Below is the up to date official list of competitors
Male -88 kg
1. Romulo Barral – Brazil (ADCC 2013 Winner)
2. Zbigniew Tyszka – Poland (1st European Trials Winner)
3. Jesse Urholin – Finland (2nd European Trials Winner)
4. Craig Jones – Australia (1st Asia & Oceania Trials Winner)
5. Hidemi Mihara – Japan (2nd Asia & Oceania Trials Winner)
6. Matthew Arroyo – USA (1st North American Trials Winner)
7. Mike Perez – USA (2nd North American Trials Winner)
8. Claudio Calasans – Brazil (1st South American Trials Winner)
9. Keenan Cornelius – USA (Invited)
10. Rustam Chsiev – Russia (Invited)
11. Pablo Popovich – USA (Invited)
12. Rafael Lovato Jr. – USA (Invited)
13. Ezra Lenon – USA (Invited)
14. Neiman Gracie – Brazil (Invited)
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Current champion Romulo Barral is returning to defend the title that and the fact that he has competing in several ADCC Worlds makes him an instant favorite. Romulo is explosive, fast and has a dangerous guard along with a strong passing game. Other contenders in my view are Claudio Calasans, Keenan Cornelius, Pablo Popovich, Rustam Chsiev and Rafael Lovato Jr. This is one of the strongest and most difficult divisions to handicap and bracketing will severely affect the results as there are so many top, tough and experienced competitors in the division.
Of the five names, Claudio Calasans, although a favorite would have the toughest task as he has, in the past, competed in the U77KG division, however he is strong and fast for this weight. Pablo Popovich is a former U77KG winner and was runner up in the U88 and Absolute to Andre Galvao in Scotland, he is always reaching the final. Lovato Jr is another strong candidate to reach the finals but again depending on the bracket may fall earlier. And that is because of Rustam Chsiev, Rustam has a game that is very difficult to beat in ADCC rules and can and will give top opponents a super hard time. He can be beat as Andre Galvao showed a few years back but it won't be easy. Unless he falls to a submission by one of the tops look for him to do some damage and maybe even reach the finals
