LONG BEACH, California — One week ago, the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo announced that Nick Diaz will be competing at their inaugural event next month in southern California.
The former Strikeforce welterweight champion now knows who he will be competing against in his return to Jiu-Jitsu competition. The current UFC star and Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Cesar Gracie will be competing in a Jiu-Jitsu superfight against ADCC world champion Braulio Estima.
Diaz recently shocked the MMA world by announcing his retirement from the sport after a controversial decision loss to Carlos Condit in an interim welterweight title bout, which was the main event of UFC 143 in early February. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Diaz’s future in MMA, UFC president Dana White recently stated at a press conference that "his popularity has never been bigger."
The Diaz vs. Estima superfight at the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo next month will see Diaz return to his Jiu-Jitsu roots. He has not competed in a Jiu-Jitsu match in two years, but also has never been submitted in Jiu-Jitsu competition.
Braulio Estima won the -88 kg and Absolute division at ADCC 2009 and a superfight at ADCC 2011.
An opponent was not been immediately chosen, but event president Renzo Gracie had stated, "One thing is certain, this superfight will be one more unforgettable moment at the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo!"
That statement has been backed up substantially with today’s revelation that Diaz is now set to face Estima, who is a 3-time World (Mundial) Champion in Jiu-Jitsu. The superfight will be a no-gi match contested at 180-pounds.
Estima recently won a no-gi superfight against Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza at the 2011 ADCC Submission Wrestling Championship this past September. Estima also won the -88 kg and Absolute division at the 2009 ADCC Submission Wrestling Championship.
Estima is also no stranger to the MMA scene. He is currently training with Rashad Evans, Mike Van Arsdale, and the Blackzilians in Boca Raton, Florida in preparation for his highly-anticipated MMA debut later this year.
The World Jiu-Jitsu Expo is scheduled for Saturday, May 12th, 2012 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California and will be the stage for all things Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
In addition to the Diaz vs. Estima superfight, fans will also be able to attend free seminars with Jiu-Jitsu stars Renzo Gracie, Roger Gracie, Robert Drysdale, Rodrigo Comprido, and Andre Galvão.
To get more information on the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo, visit their official website: World Jiu-Jitsu Expo.