'Jacare' Takes Down Drysdale in ADCC 2009 Superfight
Jordan Breen Sep 26, 2009
He may have been focused on MMA, and not competitive grappling. He
may have taken the bout on just two weeks notice. However, Ronaldo
"Jacare" Souza was victorious nonetheless as the Manaus native
wrapped up the first day of Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission
Wrestling Championships 2009 in Barcelona with a 2-0 points win
over 2007 ADCC absolute division champ Robert Drysdale.
Jacare, the 2005 ADCC under-88-kilogram division winner, stepped into the superfight slot earlier this month after grappling all-star Roger Gracie announced that a case of the mumps would force him from taking on Drysdale in Spain. Souza was previously training for his next MMA bout, where he'll make his Strikeforce debut on Nov. 7 on the Fedor Emelianenko-Brett Rogers undercard.
Souza was aggressive from the get-go, succeeding in several takedowns even before the points period had began. Jacare showed off an array of double-leg takedowns, inside trips, and even a brilliant outside foot sweep that put the Xtreme Couture grappling instructor on his backside.
Despite the pace and early successes of Souza, Drysdale's takedown defense seemingly improved over the 10-minute session. The best moment for the Brasa ace came early in the points period, when he transitioned off of a double leg attempt to take Souza's back, but failed to sink his hooks to secure the crucial points for the position. Souza escaped, and would later notch another takedown of his own to go up 2-0, and take the ADCC 2009 superfight title.
Jacare, the 2005 ADCC under-88-kilogram division winner, stepped into the superfight slot earlier this month after grappling all-star Roger Gracie announced that a case of the mumps would force him from taking on Drysdale in Spain. Souza was previously training for his next MMA bout, where he'll make his Strikeforce debut on Nov. 7 on the Fedor Emelianenko-Brett Rogers undercard.
Souza was aggressive from the get-go, succeeding in several takedowns even before the points period had began. Jacare showed off an array of double-leg takedowns, inside trips, and even a brilliant outside foot sweep that put the Xtreme Couture grappling instructor on his backside.
Despite the pace and early successes of Souza, Drysdale's takedown defense seemingly improved over the 10-minute session. The best moment for the Brasa ace came early in the points period, when he transitioned off of a double leg attempt to take Souza's back, but failed to sink his hooks to secure the crucial points for the position. Souza escaped, and would later notch another takedown of his own to go up 2-0, and take the ADCC 2009 superfight title.
