World’s Strongest Man smashes opponents in ADCC Open; CJI 2 update – BJJ Beat

Welcome to the BJJ Beat! On this recurring function, we’ll deal with the most important information from the skilled grappling scene, and roll every thing up in an simply digestible and acquainted jiu-jitsu format.

Heat Ups

World’s Strongest Man Martins Licis hulk smashes in BJJ debut

Two years in the past, former World’s Strongest Man Martins Licis tried doing Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) with Gordon Ryan, and he appears to have gotten hooked on the game after.

Licis, 34, gained the World’s Strongest Man title in 2019, the Arnold Basic in 2022, and a number of other different strongman competitions in his profession. Ryan admits to taking lots of steroids to bulk as much as heavyweight, however he nonetheless seemed tiny subsequent to Licis, who’s at 6-foot-3 and properly over 300 lbs.

Licis was clearly no match for the BJJ all-time nice, however how would that power translate into competitors towards equally skilled grapplers? Effectively, Licis stored coaching again dwelling and determined to seek out out.

The Strongman signed up for the ADCC San Diego Open, and joined the heaviest newbie division within the occasion. Licis confronted fellow massive males on the over 100 kg (over 220 lbs) division, and simply hulk smashed a few white belts.

Licis submitted his two opponents, and ended up taking gold in his first ever jiu-jitsu competitors. One poor man seemed to have tapped to a brutal hammerlock too. Oof!

Regardless of the advertising and marketing they push for this “mild sport,” power clearly issues quite a bit. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how Licis continues this jiu-jitsu journey, as he’ll actually maintain including much more approach to go together with his immense measurement and energy.

Drills

Diogo Reis, Diego Pato, Tainan Dalpra shine at IBJJF Euros

The primary main IBJJF event of the 12 months concluded after an enormous nine-day occasion that featured over 5000 opponents in Portugal. Successful the primary of 4 majors and taking step one in a possible “Grand Slam” in 2025, had been a number of of the highest BJJ stars.

Large names equivalent to two-time ADCC champ Diogo Reis, and embellished IBJJF world champs like Diego Pato, Tainan Dalpra, Adam Wardzinski and Mayssa Bastos all took gold on the 2025 IBJJF European Championship.

The heaviest champions from the IBJJF Euros additionally gained absolutely the tournaments, with Gabi Pessanha and Luis Oliveira Cantareira each taking double gold.

Full outcomes and highlights may be discovered right here.

Transfer of the Day

Samuel Nagai beats Fabricio Andrey in enjoyable Pit Submission Sequence 11 match

CJI and Karate Fight retains making one of the best case for the pit actually being the optimum combating floor for BJJ. Pit Submission Sequence 11 was held as a part of the Karate Fight 52, and it noticed a very enjoyable rematch between BJJ professionals and world champs in Samuel Nagai and Fabricio Andrey.

The match went backwards and forwards, however Nagai received a very slick rear triangle and armbar try on the finish, which doubtless secured him the judges choice.

Highlights, together with the complete matches are under.

Rolls

Will UFC FPI 10 be an all-female BJJ occasion? 3 extra bouts set

The just lately UFC took an enormous step of their efforts to “take over” BJJ, by reserving what’s arguably the very best match in BJJ right now to headline UFC Struggle Go Invitational 10.

Ffion Davies vs. Adele Fornarino is the consensus two prime pound-for-pound girls within the sport, and UFC has since booked three extra feminine champions to the cardboard.

Three-time no gi world champ Elisabeth Clay, who gained main titles simply two and three months after baby start, will tackle two-time no gi world champ Brianna Ste-Marie.

Two teenage BJJ phenoms may even be on the cardboard. Polaris champ and ADCC silver medalist, Helena Crevar and the youngest ever black belt world champion, Cassia Moura, will tackle Maggie Grindatti-Lira and Talita Alencar, respectively.

All 4 bouts booked for UFC FPI 10 to date on March 6 contain prime feminine BJJ stars. Might the UFC be seeking to create a attainable all-women essential card or possibly even a event?

UFC Struggle Go Invitational 10 battle card

125 lbs: Ffion Davies vs. Adele Fornarino145 lbs: Elisabeth Clay vs. Brianna Ste-Marie145 lbs: Helena Crevar vs. Maggie Grindatti-Lira125 lbs: Cassia Moura vs. Talita Alencar

Cooldown

‘No battle!’ – ONE Championship grapplers allowed to affix CJI 2

ONE Championship is thought for his or her notoriously restrictive unique contracts, nevertheless it looks like there’s no want to fret about their grapplers not with the ability to be part of the second Craig Jones Invitational 2 occasion.

Tom DeBlass, who works for the Asian promotion, says ONE’s grapplers will probably be allowed to affix CJI 2.

“I simply spoke with (Craig Jones) and knowledgeable me the date of the subsequent CJI. There will probably be no battle with ONE,” DeBlass wrote on Instagram. “Our ONE grapplers will have the ability to partake within the subsequent CJI with none points.”

A few of the completely signed grapplers with ONE embrace each Tye Ruotolo and Kade Ruotolo, who participated within the inaugural CJI, and BJJ legend Marcelo Garcia, who was beforehand in negotiations to face Charles Oliveira.

Evaluate

To shut issues out, listed here are different attention-grabbing BJJ tales you may need missed:

He’s again! – Marcelo Garcia returned from most cancers and 14 years away from competitors, and locked in his patented north south choke on Masakazu Imanari.

Coronary heart failure! – BJJ champ and UFC vet Vagner Rocha is coping with severe well being points at age 42. He was additionally beforehand suspended by USADA and admits to utilizing PEDs.

Two notable snubs? – CJI 2’s first group roster was revealed, and it looks like tenth Planet omitted a few BJJ stars.

UFC books very best BJJ match right now? – It’s arduous to overstate how a lot of a coup it’s for the UFC to beat out different BJJ orgs to this.

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