ADCC 2009 takes place next weekend in Barcelona, Spain. The event has the top submission fighters in the World competing in 5 weight categories for men with 16 fighters each and 2 women weight categories with 8 fighters each plus absolute.
This week we’ll be taking a look at each and handicap possible winners, first the Under 65KG men:
This is an unofficial list of the -65KG:
-65.9kg
1. Rani Yahya. Brazil (ADCC World Champion)
2. Kouhei Yasumi. Japan (Asian Trials winner)
3. Rafael Mendes. Brazil (South American Trials winner)
4. Nicolas Renier. France (European Trials winner)
5. Timo-Juhani Hirvikangas. Finland (European Champion)
6. Ryan Hall. USA (North American West coast Trials winner)
7. David Marinakis. Australia (Pacific Trials winner)
8. Jayson Patino. USA (North American East coast Trials winner)
9. Leo Vieira
10. Baret Yoshida
11. Jeff Glover
12. Rubens Charles Maciel
13. Hiroshi Nakamura
14. Justin Rader
15. Jeff Curran
16. Joel Tudor
This is a tough division indeed with former champion Leo Vieira coming back hungry and current champion Rani Yahia returning to defend his title. Other top contenders should be Rubens “Cobrinha”, Ryan Hall and Rafael Mendes. Dark horses Joel Tudor and Jeff Curran.
Analysis:
Leo Vieira: Handicapping Leo Vieira is always difficult, talent wise he is one of the best if not the best in the category still but distractions of 2 new kids and the efforts of developing his new team CheckMat may get in the way of his focus and training. If he shows up in top shape he is the favorite in my view
Rani Yahia: Rany has been in the finals the last 2 ADCC events splitting the title with Leo Vieira. Rani is a fierce competitor and a great technician. His setback with the Gi in the American Nationals served to awaken the fire inside of him even more (as if he needed) look for him to be at the finals again
Rubens “Cobrinha” has dominated his division the last few years and should be one of the favorites, the only questions is how well his game adapts to the ADCC rules and how he will fare if he meets with Rafael Mendes along the way. Cobrinha is undoubtedly one of the best in the world and if he performs up to par he can take the title.
Rafael Mendes won the ADCC trials Brazil and that is no small feat. Mendes is a 50/50 guard specialist and more. His game is very tight and difficult to figure out and with ADCC expanded use of knee and foot-locks his guard and grape-vining legs will cause trouble to many
Ryan Hall is a submission specialist. His guard and triangles are lethal and he is definitly a dark horse in my eyes. His only drawback in my eyes is his size as he is small for the division and ADCC demands a lot of power in every division
Jeff Curran is an MMA star returning to his roots, his game is very good and effective to be in the top four. One would have to question is the effects of training and focusing in MMA will have in his timing
Joel Tudor is the dark horse of the field. Having just submitted current champion Rani with a triangle Joel will surprise many with other aspects of his game. A good draw will greatly help his prospects of reaching top four
What is your call – email me at [email protected]
