Copa Podio held another installment this Saturday, Nov. 22, in Rio de Janeiro.
In the middleweight GP, Felipe “Preguiça” Pena was the big champion.
In the final, the Gracie Barra competitor defeated Luiz Panza (Checkmat) after coming from behind in the scoreboard 2-0 because of a sweep by Panza.
Preguiça managed a last minute sweep and secured his victory with an advantage for a near pass when clock was running down.
“At that moment, all I thought about was that I had to win and I gave it all to win,” said the now two-time GP champion.
Felipe Preguiça vs. Luiz Panza at Copa Podio. Photo by Carlos Arthur
Other than that, the event featured two superfights with no time limit and submission only.
First Gianni Grippo and João Miyao battled for a whole hour before the organizers decided to stop the match.
Despite what the rules said about no time limit, the match was considered a draw.
João Miyao vs. Gianni Grippo Photo by Carlos Arthur
In the other superfight, Leandro Lo and Gilbert “Durinho” Burns had prior business to settle.
Lo resisted a tight leg lock that made the crowd cringe and then managed a sweep and a choke that left Durinho with no other option than to tap.
“I’d only tap if he’d rip my leg off. I inspired myself in people like Ronaldo Jacaré, who didn’t tap even after Roger broke his arm,” said Lo, after intense celebration.
Leandro Lo vs. Gilbert Burns at Copa Podio Photo by Carlos Arthur
