The Under 76KG division in ADCC has always been one of the most exciting and contested divisions in the event. Past winners include <b>Renzo Gracie (’98 & 00) Jean Jacques Machado (’99), Marcio Feitosa (’01) and Marcelo Garcia (’03 & ’05).</b>
This year’s list of competitors include the defending 2 times Champion along with former Champion Renzo Gracie and <b>Saulo Ribeiro</b>, who is second only to Renzo in ADCC appearances and has always, in his 5 appearances reached the podium (Champion in ’00 & ’03, 2nd in ’99 & ’01 and 3rd in ’05), so there is no shortage of experience and titles in this line up.
For this year, Marcelo Garcia is the favorite, he has won the last 2 events and has dominated most of the tournaments he has entered recently. Behind him and in close proximity I have <b>Andre Galvao & Saulo Ribeiro</b>. Galvao, the Brazilian trials winner, has a very dynamic and agressive style that is very suited for ADCC, his only shortcoming, if he has any, is lack of experience in the event. He should more than make up for it with his stamina and aggressiveness. Saulo for his part is a fantastic competitor with flawless technique, depending on his star during May 5 & 6 he can take the whole thing.
Other conteders are <b>Renzo Gracie, Pablo Popovich, Daisuke Sugie and Mark Bocek</b>. You can never count Renzo out, although of late he has been concentrating on MMA and that takes aaway the full focus neccessary for ADCC. Popovich is a strong competitor who always seem to be there at the end. He has very strong stand up but may have problems with the new fast paced rules as he likes to fight at a very determined pace. Sugie is a dark horse along with Bocek, Sugie won the Japan trials and looked very good. Bocek won the US trials nad has competed may times in other trials so he brings the experience in ADCC rules to add to his strong technique.
Brackets will play a tremendous role in this division as certain fighters match up much better against one and badly against another.
That is my opinion, what’s yours???
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2007 UNDER 76
- MARCELO GARCIA BJJ BLACK BRAZIL
- PABLO POPOVICH BJJ BLACK USA
- RENZO GRACIE BJJ BLACK BRAZIL
- SAULO RIBEIRO BJJ BLACK BRAZIL
- DREW FICKETT USA
- NELSON MONTEIRO BJJ BLACK BRAZIL
- MARK BOCEK BJJ CANADA
- EDUARDO RIOS PORTUGAL
- MILTON VIEIRA BJJ BLACK BRAZIL
- GEORGE SOTIROPOULOS AUSTRALIA
- ANDRE GALVAO BJJ BLACK BRAZIL
- DAISUKE SUGIE JAPAN
- AFRICA TRIALS
- JOE STEVENSON USA
