A meeting between Jose Junior and Ricardo Evangelista has now become an epic battle for supremacy in the jiu-jitsu black belt heavyweight division in the domestic circuit.
This final has always brought the crowds to their feet. This time, though, Evangelista’s bid to score a win over Junior, which stretches back to the beginning of last season, ended in bitter disappointment.
He was disqualified for not making any effort to fight after the scores were tied 2-2 in the black belt 110-kilgramme final at the Ajman International Championship over the weekend.
The result extended Junior’s head-to-head record over his Brazilian compatriot to 6-1 with the two now expected to head for the Grand Slam Abu Dhabi on January 13 and 14.
“It’s always tough with Ricardo,” said Junior. “This final wasn’t any different from my previous ones. He started the fight well and after scoring early I felt he didn’t want to do more.
“He almost stopped fighting and lost the two points. I went on the attack when he was disqualified.”
Junior is now hoping to regain the World No 1 ranking which he lost to another Brazilian, Gabriel Arges, who is expected to fly over to Abu Dhabi for next month’s competition.
“He has had more fights to accumulate more points than me but I hope I can cross his path at the Grand Slam Abu Dhabi,” said Junior.
“I have four weeks to prepare. I have had a good last season and have started this one quite well. I’m hopeful of taking this momentum forward. The objective is to take the World No.1 spot.”
Junior, 31, is a jiu-jitsu instructor attached to the Schools programme affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Education Council.
A meeting between Jose Junior and Ricardo Evangelista in the domestic circuit has now become a familiar feature showdown for supremacy in the jiu-jitsu black belt heavyweight division.
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