The Long Beach Pyramid at the 2014 Worlds
Every year the World championship is the stage for some of Jiu-Jitsu’s greatest battles.
Since Roleta vs. Wallid in 1996, all the way to Buchecha vs. Rodolfo in 2014, including Tererê vs. Marcelinho in 2003, Roger vs. Jacaré in 2004 and 2005, Roger vs. Xande in 2006 and 2008, and countless other historic matches, there’s a clear pattern of awesome matches in the events’ history.
The 2016 edition is set to be another occasion when great matches will take place, some of them for the first time this year or at all.
We listed 7 of those matches that, if become a reality, can make the 2016 Worlds an even more spectacular event.
Here we go.
1. Felipe Pena vs. Bernardo Faria
The two have been running parallel courses for some time now. Bernardo ruled over the Pan, Worlds in 2015 and the 2016 Pan. Pena won all he could win at the Worlds No-Gi in 2015, and then the 2016 European and the 2016 WPJJC. They may finally meet in Long Beach, maybe in the superheavy division, probably in the open class. If they do meet, what do you think will happen? Will Faria jump to his deadly deep half guard or will Pena be able to work his guard game like he’s been doing with everyone else so far?
2. Marcus Buchecha vs. Bernardo Faria
Buchecha vs. Faria at the 2013 Worlds
They should have fought at the 2015 Worlds black belt open class final, but Buchecha got hurt in the quarterfinals against Ricardo Evangelista. The matches between the two in the past have been always decided by the smallest of details with wins for both sides. Buchecha will probably be in the ultraheavy division while Faria should be in the superheavy weight class, so the open class is the most probable setting for another encounter.
3. Felipe Pena vs. Marcus Buchecha
Buchecha vs. Pena at the 2014 Worlds
This match was moments away from happening at the 2016 WPJJC black belt open class division quarterfinals when Buchecha pulled out after request by Checkmat’s leader, Leo Vieira. They have fought once at the 2014 Worlds, when Buchecha managed a foot lock finish in the open class quarterfinals. Since then, Pena really blossomed into a much stronger competitor and a rematch would set the Pyramid on fire. Maybe in the open class semifinals.
4. Andresa Correa vs. Dominyka Obelenyte
That’s another match that should have happened already in 2016, but fate got in the way. A knee injury sidelined Dominyka from the Pan open class final against Andresa. Healed, the 2015 black belt absolute champion is ready to go and Andresa is already registered to compete in Long Beach. Let’s just hope nothing gets in the way of the two Alliance teammates going at it on the mats of the pyramid.
5. Leandro Lo vs. Keenan Cornelius
It’s a classic already, but it does not happen very often. The 2015 open class quarterfinals is still branded in everybody minds. Keenan’s flying triangle and Lo’s escape were the stuff of legends. Since then, Keenan remained more in the quiet side, making appearances at the Marianas Open and the WPJJC. It’s still unclear if Cornelius will sign up for the 2016 Worlds, but we sure hope he does.
6. Rafael Mendes vs. Rubens Cobrinha
Mendes vs. Cobra at the 2015 Worlds
Another classic and probably the longest-running rivalry still going in Jiu-Jitsu today. In the Worlds alone, they have been in four featherweight finals, in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015. In 2016, Rafael Mendes will be going for his sixth gold medal while Cobrinha will be trying to reach his fifth and tie the count with his archival. Mendes vs. Cobra usually happens once a year and you know you can’t miss it.
7. Caio Terra vs. João Miyao
That’s a match that never happened before. Caio terra has been absent from the last two world championships, but promised to return this year. João Miyao had to settle with two silver medals in 2014 and 2015 after two losses to Bruno Malfacine in the roosterweight division. They may meet at last this summer in long Beach and who can tell what will happen.
Don’t forget to register for the 2016 World Jiu-Jitsu championship, scheduled June 1-5, in Long Beach, California.
The final deadline is May 24.
Click here to sign up now.
