BJJ Pan Ams heats up California with great fights

Report and photo by Erik Engelhart, directly from California

The black belt disputes at Pan American Championship of 2012 brought much excitement for the lovers of the gentle art, and you followed it live on TATAME. Check below what happened on the finals, and stay tuned to check interviews and exclusive photos directly from California.

MALE:

Rooster: Caio Terra (Gracie Elite) VS. Rafael Freitas (Gracie Barra)

Rafael pulled for the guard and it went back and forths on the feet attacks against Caio. It went on until half time, with one advantage for each side. Two feet attacks came to bring Caio advantages (3x1). 85 seconds to the end, Caio Terra fits a leg-lock and submits.

Light feather: Guilherme Mendes (Atos) VS. Bruno Malfacine (Alliance)

After they took some time to study each other, Malfacine opened the scoreboard with a sweep. The Alliance athlete went for Guilehrme?s guard and threatened a feet attack, but backed off. Carefully, Guilherme tried to adjust a tight lapel choke, making it harder for the four-time Pan American champion. Mendes attacked his scapula trying to break even with a sweep, but Bruno escaped 90 seconds to the end. With the scoreboard pointing 2x0, Malfacine beats up Guilherme and gets his fifth title at Pan.

Feather: Rafael Mendes (Atos) VS. Rubens Cobrinha (Alliance)

Just like last times they fought each other, the bout started tight at the 50-50guard, but Rubens tried to stay on top. Fast, Rafael caught his arm, but Rubens tried everything to get rid of it, but had to tap out. Mendes is the champion at Pan American 2012.

Light: Lucas Lepri (Alliance) VS. Leandro Lo (C?cero Costha)

Leandro had a better start and scored, with a sweep, 2x0 over Lepri, and the scoreboard remained untouched throught the rest of the first half of the fight. Lepri tried to speed things up when it was three minutes to the end, but Lo managed to control the dispute and avoided a guard break. In the end, the title goes to Cicero Costha?s student.

Middle: Victor Estima (Gracie Barra) VS. Claudio Calasans (Atos)

Victor went for Claudio?s feet at 15 seconds of fight, but Calasans broke even. Despite the busy start, things slowed down and remained that way for few minutes. Estima and Calasans exchanged positions on the ground. Fighting for Atos, Claudio fit a feet coup, but no one ever tapped out. Two minutes to the end, the scoreboard pointed 4x2 for Claudio, and Victor almost got a sweep 30 seconds to the end, but Calasans remained standing and got the golden medal.

Medium heavy: Kayron Gracie (Gracie Barra) VS. Vitor Toledo (Atos)

The fight started and Kayron quickly got to the half guard, breaking his guard right after (3x0). Gracie grabbed his back and, in great style, submitted with a choke to become two-time Pan American champion.

Heavy: Yuri Sim?es (Checkmat) VS. Lucas Leite (Checkmat)

The guys from Checkmat closed the division, but the medal went to the veteran, Lucas.

Super heavy: Bernardo Faria (Alliance) VS. Antonio Cara de Sapato (Checkmat)

Antonio had a striking start and, with a sweep, scored 2x0. He was on top of Bernardo and broke his guard, scoring 5x0. Representing Alliance team, Faria swept and scored a couple of points (5x2)m grabbing his opponent?s back (with no hooks). Bernardo attacked with a ezequiel coup and turned it around (6x5). Once again using the hooks, Bernardo scored 10x5. At the end, Bernardo was announced as the champion.

Ultra heavy: Marcus Buchecha (Checkmat) VS. Alexander Trans (Checkmat)

Team partners, Marcus and Alexander decided to fight for the gold medal. Without slowing things down, Buchecha, who fights with a broken finger since the duel against Kron Gracie, on Saturday (31st), attacked his opponent?s feet, but couldn?t get it. The scoreboard remain intact during the first half. Trans almost broke Buchecha?s guard three minutes to the end, but he was alert. Seconds later, the Brazilian swept and scored 2x0 to get the title.

Absolute: Marcus Buchecha (Checkmat) VS. Antonio Cara de Sapato (Checkmat)

Marcus Buchecha closed the absolute dispute with Antonio, and the medal goes to Cara de Sapato, who didn?t make it on the weight dispute.

FEMALE:

Light feather: Sofia Amarante (The Avengers) overcomes Claudia Martinez (C-Quence) to get to the gold.

Feather: Bruna Ribeiro (Atos) got the title by W.O. since Melissa Rosales (Combat Base) didn?t show up.

Light: Bia Mesquita (Gracie Humaita) submits Fabiana Borges (Gracie Barra) and is the champion at Pan Am.

Middle: Luanna Alzuguir (Alliance) defeated Vanessa Oliveira (GFTeam) on the judges? decision after a draw and becomes the champion.

M?dium heavy: Hannette Quadros (Brazil 021) defeated Valerie Lynn (Alliance) and adds another title to her collection.

Heavy: Gabi Garcia (Alliance) wrote another win, now over Emily Wetzel (BJJ Revolution), to get her golden medal on her only weight class bout.

Absolute: Gabi Garcia (Alliance) closed the division with Luanna Alzuguir (Alliance), but Garcia got the medal this time.

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