Bruno Frazatto sinks a triangle at Gramad WPPJC tryouts. Photo: Ivan Trindade/GRACIEMAG
It was a tough decision to make, but featherweight Bruno Frazatto, one of the biggest Jiu-Jitsu World Championship-medal collectors around, pulled out of this year’s tournament in Long Beach.
Bruno has the explanation on the tip of his tongue—and hands: to pick up his MMA career again.
“I’m bummed about not being in it; after all, I haven’t missed a single installment of the biggest show in world Jiu-Jitsu ever since I started in this sport. “At the same time, though, it was a natural decision. Athletes live by decisions, and I had to make this one. I have some goals for the end of the year in MMA and wouldn’t be 100% to take the title, so my teacher Ramon Lemos and I decided I should sit it out. When we set goals we have to dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly; I don’t think it would be right to divide my time.”
Frazatto also made it clear that he doesn’t have anything set in stone yet but is looking at some offers to fight in MMA, a style he cut his teeth in back in 2007. “What I know is that I have to be prepared; I don’t want to be an underdog.”
The fact he won’t be competing doesn’t mean Frazatto won’t be at the Long Beach Pyramid to study Jiu-Jitsu, though.
“I’ll be there cornering and watching the matches. We’re a tight-knit team, and their victories are mine as well. I feel Jiu-Jitsu has evolved really quickly, and I’ll be there even if just to watch and keep an eye on how the style is evolving. To do well in MMA I have to be up to date in sport Jiu-Jitsu, train with the competition team. When it comes to grappling, there’s nothing better than Jiu-Jitsu, and nothing better than watching the best in the business at the Worlds,” said the featherweight, who already holds a record of four wins in four MMA fights.
