5-5-2007
Road trip to watch the ADCC, Day 1. I figured this is both one of the last times I get to hang out with Randy and Bryce. ADCC probably won't be back within driving distance of Pittsburgh for another 10-20 years so this is most likely my only chance to actually watch it. Here's the
day 1 thread.
Bryce, Randy and I went to New Jersey to watch the first day of the ADCC World Championships. There was so much talent there. I saw a lot of big faces, but I didn't get any pictures of them (instead concentrating on the matches). I didn't see anyone from the internet, but I did see in the stands: Marcelo, Fowler, both Migliarese brothers, Fabio, Ulysses Gomez (I think, he had on a Lego Star Wars Tee so I assumed it was him), Marc Laimon (who is much fatter than on TV, and needs to lose some weight!), Sim Go (who fought a great match) and a few others. I also saw Josh Barnett (wearing a CATCH shirt and wrestling shoes for some odd reason) and Egor Gracie coaching. Hopefully I'll get the nerve to talk to them and/or bother them for a picture. Here's all the photos I shot today:
by
quantumjim
Pablo Popovitch is my favorite fighter, since I met him at his academy. But Pablo's matches were kinda boring, though he only had one of his smaller students in his corner, it seemed. He won by takedowns and passing the guard mainly. Dave Avellan did well, and I thought he was going to win both his matches. But in his second fight, Tarsys Humphreys came back and choked him unconscious!!! Marcelo and Rolls were great in their two matches. They were the crowd favorites. The tournament was overall very awesome to behold.
One guy wore a spaceman bodysuit to all his matches. Another guy had no legs below his knees. He was good, but still lost (if he had his entire legs, he probably would have done well in a heavier division). I like the technique of the girls matches even tho there weren't as many submissions. One got a great takedown, but got submitted in a reverse triangle IIRC.
Mike Fowler had the most impressive performances of the day. He seemed bigger than I remember, and Fowler remained composed and really took the fight to his opponents, He beat Renzo Gracie by advantages in the first round. The entire audience was dead silent during that match. Then in the second round, Mike submitted Saulo with a leglock (I think either a toehold or a heel hook). He is destined to fight Marcelo tomorrow first, and that will be a very interesting match!!!
