Renzo Gracie gets the trophy from Tahnoon bin Zayed. Luca Atalla
It feels like it was yesterday, but it was in March of 1998 that the project by Prince Tahnoon bin Zayed to test the world’s best across several fighting styles became a reality.
Named the Abu Dhabi Combat Club World Submission Wrestling, the no-gi tournament that would go on to launch many BJJ fighters into stardom had its first edition covered exclusively by Graciemag, the only media outlet to have been present at all 12 installments.
The event, now a globetrotting entity, started out in the luxurious gymnasiums of Abu Dhabi. One of the great fighters participating was a young and light Renzo Gracie — a Pride FC star and teacher to Tahnoon.
To take down the 77kg division of ADCC ’98, Renzo beat Frank Trigg, Rodrigo M. and Fabiano Iha before meeting Luis Brito in the final match.
Before securing the title, Renzo attacked twice via guillotine. Check out the fight below. And long live the ADCC!
