It’s hard to think Rubens Charles Maciel and not tag onto his name the adjective most associated with it. At the Jiu-Jitsu Worlds, Cobrinha has dominated the featherweight category for no loess than four years. The four-time champion equaled the landmark set by the legendary Royler Gracie and the two embraced in Long Beach, last June.
This “competition” between the two brings us to think of the second part of the dispute. In the ADCC, Royler is a three-time champion. In Barcelona, Cobrinha will make his debut and states that he isn’t looking to make it to the Gracie’s three, but made it clear his goals are always lofty. To make it to the title in 2009, Cobrinha will have to overcome another hard-nosed featherweights, among them Rafael Mendes, his greatest rival at the moment; current champion Rani Yahya; two-time champion Leo Vieira. He’ll have his work cut out for him.
It’s hard to think Rubens Charles Maciel and not tag onto his name the adjective most associated with it. At the Jiu-Jitsu Worlds, Cobrinha has dominated the featherweight category for no loess than four years. The four-time champion equaled the landmark set by the legendary Royler Gracie and the two embraced in Long Beach, last June.
This “competition” between the two brings us to think of the second part of the dispute. In the ADCC, Royler is a three-time champion. In Barcelona, Cobrinha will make his debut and states that he isn’t looking to make it to the Gracie’s three, but made it clear his goals are always lofty. To make it to the title in 2009, Cobrinha will have to overcome another hard-nosed featherweights, among them Rafael Mendes, his greatest rival at the moment; current champion Rani Yahya; two-time champion Leo Vieira. He’ll have his work cut out for him.
Cobrinha at Pan NoGi 2008. Photo: Luca Atalla
Direct from Atlanta, Georgia, Cobrinha had a chat with the GRACIEMAG.com ADCC 2009 Blog and provided insight into his training and told of how he will arrive in Barcelona hungry for the title, but in no rush.
Blog: You all set for the ADCC?
Rubens Charles “Cobrinha”: My preparations could not have gone any better. I had several people by my side bending over backwards to get me ready. Black belt Rafael Rosendo came to help me train; Master Romero Jacare has given me full support in myy training; my wrestling coach Paul Creighton opened the doors of his gym for me to teach and my physical conditioning coach Josh Brown got me in shape. I can’t leave out my students at Alliance Atlanta either, who game me major support. And my wife Daniela, who put up with me while I trained and cut weight.
Blog: Is getting ready for the ADCC much different from the JJ Worlds, for example?
Cobrinha: I think a lot changes. The ADCC is almost an entirely different style of fight. The rules are very different. We don’t have the grips on the gi and the match duration is quite different. I, for some time now, have been training without the gi to improve my fundamentals. And I can tell you I already see progress in my game.
Blog: At the Worlds, you equaled Royler’s four wins, now will you be aiming to equal his three ADCC wins?
Cobrinha: I’m someone who always has lofty goals, but I’m not thinking of equaling Royler’s achievement yet. I’m just getting started in the ADCC, while Royler’s the man. If I can do have what he has done, I’ll be great. I’m in no hurry to reach my goals. I like going after them in the long run.
Beating Rafael Mendes at the 2009 Worlds. Photo: Ivan Trindade
Blog: In your division, who will be the toughest adversary: revelation and rival Rafael Mendes, current champion Rani Yahya or two-time champion Leo Vieira?
Cobrinha: I think all of them are really tough opponents, since they’re all training to show their best. It’s hard to point out one of them. All of them have what it takes and I have to pay close attention to each of them.
Blog: Lighter athletes tend to pull guard in the gi, but in the ADCC that is frowned upon in the rules. What to do?
Cobrinha: That’s right. Pulling guard makes things worse in the ADCC. To me, I’ll have to improvise. I feel, even in the gi, I’ve been managing to do a lot of variations, even though I like fighting from the bottom. Anyhow, we’ll see how things develop. I didn’t change my game much, but I’ve adapted it to ADCC rules.
Blog: To end, who do you consider to be the best athlete in ADCC history?
Cobrinha: Marcelo Garcia. His performances have always been synonymous with putting on a show at the ADCC.
What about you, do you feel Cobrinha is a favorite to take the under 66kg title? Leave your comment.
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