METAMORIS II: EXCLUSIVE RALEK GRACIE INTERVIEW
1 ROUND…20 MINUTES….SUBMISSIONS ONLY…..
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on the Big Stage
Metamoris is back and it’s finally time to move tournaments out of high school gyms and really find out the truth behind who the best grapplers in the world are…
WHEN: Sunday, June 9th, 2013
WHERE: Los Angeles, California. Live from the historic Pauley Pavilion
TIME: Broadcast begins at 4 pm PST
Live Pay Per View Streaming: Available @ Metamoris.com
MAIN EVENT
KRON GRACIE vs. SHINYA AOKI
Metamoris Founder, Ralek Gracie Predicts a Dynamic Battle……
Are Two Black Belts Enough For Shinya
Aoki to Beat Kron Gracie?
Shinya Aoki holds black belts in both Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu along with an explemplary record in MMA, compiling 22 submissions in his 33 victories.
The Edge: Aoki’s ability to use techniques from angles that the conventional Jiu Jitsu guy won’t and his synthesis of hard core judo, wrestling and BJJ could be enough to defeat Kron Gracie….
“It’s going to be an MMA fight without Punches,”
Ralek Gracie
Shinya’s Secret Weapon: If Shinya is able to use his powerful and hard-core leg lock techniques- he may very well UPSET Kron Gracie…who lost to Buchecha at the 2013 2013 Pan American Championships via kneebar.
Kron’s Capabilities: There’s no question that Kron is at a disadvantage fighting Shinya in a NO-GI match. When Ralek and I were talking, he even mentioned that this fight between the two most likely never have happened if it was a GI match….Ralek says Aoki wouldnt stand much of a chance against Kron in a GI match.
Ralek mentions in the interview above that Shinya’s edge lies in his ability to use techniques from unconventional angles….but that his aggression and persistence is a key component.
Keys to Kron’s Victory
Kron outweighs Shinya-who usually walks around just above 160lbs or (slightly above) 71kg. The fact that the match is twenty minutes submissions only, if Kron comes in “extra” heavy, Aoki’s endurance will have to be TOP-NOTCH in order to fully execute his game plan effectively and not let muscle fatigue ruin him….And after 39 MMA fights-one would expect that he will be ready.
If Kron can control the tempo of the match and parallel Aoki’s aggression-he may very way pull off the victory…However he HAS TO remain conscious of Aoki’s leg lock capabilities-and as both mental and physical fatigue set in-Kron is certainly at danger of Aoki’s leg locks.
However, if Kron is able to execute his top game strategy effectively-it could be the match maker and Aoki will have a VERY hard time recovering from bottom position late in the match.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Arrives At The Big Arena
“A lot of the tournaments are in high school gyms…and there’s really no clarity in
who’s the best” -Ralek Gracie
Pauley Pavilion in Las Angeles, California….
Ralek’s vision to bring Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to the Big Stage is becoming realized…
“For me the influence started with my own history and my family’s history in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.”
“My grandfather’s desire to compete in matches with no points and no time limit…. It would just be about-could his technique, his leverage and his capacity mentally give him the ability to overcome larger opponents…”
You Don’t Want To Miss This……
When Ralek talked about bringing together the best guys in the sport he wasn’t kidding…..Here’s one match that you dont want to miss..
Another Power Match Up
Andre Galvao vs. Rafael Lovato Jr.
If you’ve ever wanted to see a match of “Colleseum Proportions”…..this is it.
Rafael Lovato Jr. has his work cut out for him, as he takes on the powerful Andre Galvao-who’s last lost in competition was to Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida on points.
Both fighters have extraodinary passing skills-but the pressure is really on Rafael Lovato Jr. who will need to forcibly implement his powerful pressure passing techniques against the explosive Brazilian.
If you’ve seen Lovato Jr.’s recent sparring footage with Marcelo Garcia, you’re already aware of his ability to avoid being swept-even by one of the best “sweepers” in the game Marcelo Garcia, though his ability to deal with the dynamic modern style of Galvao has yet to be tested on this level.
Clash of the Titan’s
Galvao is a out-spoken proponent of fitness training for grappling… It doesn’t take a “Sherlock Holmes” to figure out that out that Galvao allots more time than most to strength and conditioning. One look at the guy and it’s pretty clear he’s
Don’t let yourself be fooled….
Rafael Lovato Jr. may not be as out-spoken about strength and conditioning but he sure as heck has the stamina and endurance to keep up with Galvao.
You take two grapplers-both with incredible passing abilities and experts at applying and maintaining pressure….not to mention the RAW power that both possess….And you get one heck of a fight.
Where this fight will get interesting…
You take two of the most decorated grapplers in competition circuit, both with strong, explosive passing abilities…and put them in a submission only match…you better believe it’s going to be hard core.
Lovato’s Kryponite?
Galvao has the ability to tear his opponents legs off like it’s 1984….And we are all too familiar with the leg tearing crisis of ’84…. But I digress….
Lovato Jr. isn’t known for hitting ruthless leg locks…In fact he’s fallen victim to multiple leg locks by guys like Braulio Estima and again from David Avellan in the ADCCs.
Undoubedtly, Rafael has been drilling leg lock defense sequences during his training camps….and he should be – because Galvao’s ability to toe hold his opponents is no matter to take lightly. When Galvao and Lovato Jr. step on to the mat on June 9th and slap hands, we will undoubedtly see a spectacle of the ages.
And that’s Just Scratching the Surface…..
Also on Metamoris II Fight Card are….
Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu vs. Brendan Schaub
Braulio Estima vs. Rodolfo Vieira
Mackenzie Dern vs. Michelle Nicolini
Bill "The Grill" Cooper vs. Ryan Hall
Here’s what to do Next….
For High Definition Live Streaming: Go To http://metamoris.com/live-stream
If You Want To Grab A Ticket To The Event before they run out
visit http://metamoris.com/event-info
-Daniel Faggella
Dan Faggella is a writer for OntheMat.com, Jiu Jitsu Magazine, and many other grappling publications. His interviews with World Champions and the "Movers and Shakers" of the BJJ game can be found online at www.ScienceofSkill.com, where his article focus on match breakdowns and skill-building in Jiu Jitsu.