There has never been a better time to be a fan of submission grappling. Over the next few weeks the world’s elite step onto the mats in final preparation for August’s illustrious ADCC championship. On Saturday evening one of the most interesting pre-ADCC matches takes place as ADCC 2013 champion, Joao Assis faces No-Gi Pan Am champ Tom DeBlass at Submission Series Pro in Mississauga, Ontario.
DeBlass, a Ricardo Almeida black belt took a self imposed hiatus from the world of submission grappling after losing a close match at ADCC 2009 to eventual finalist Cyborg Abreu. After DeBlass’s match with Cyborg he took time away from the sport to focus exclusively on MMA. It was during the years of DeBlass’ hiatus that Joao Assis came to the forefront of submission grappling and while DeBlass hasn’t faced Assis before, he remains confident that he has what it takes to beat ADCC champ, Assis.
“I think it’s going to be an interesting match with Joao and I, we both have many of the same strong points. To be honest our top and bottom game is both very similar, he is a stronger wrestler than myself and I believe I have better foot locks than him. We are both very strong guys and we both take our time during the match. I think it’s going to be an interesting match for sure and hopefully exciting for the fans.”
When asked if he felt that Assis was the toughest opponent he has faced since his return to submission grappling, DeBlass was non-committal:
“I don’t know if he is the toughest opponent I have faced since last ADCC 2009. I don’t really like thinking like that, I know he is by far the most accomplished. However, he won the division in the last ADCC that I did not participate in. if I was there I believe things could have been different. Anyone that has seen my match with cyborg would have to agree.”
While MMA fans’ focus is firmly set on UFC 189 this weekend, it is also a remarkable weekend for submission grappling fans. Not only does Submission Series Pro go down in Canada, Roger Gracie also make his long awaited return to the mats against Rodrigo Comprido at the American Jiu Jitsu Championships in Las Vegas on Friday evening.