This August the most prestigious no-gi submission grappling tournament will take place, the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Submission Wrestling World Championships. Known in shorthand has the “ADCCs”, it is a professional grappling tournament held every two years that attracts the top grappling talent from all across the world. The rule set is extremely open in terms of submissions and positions allowed, the scoring system designed to increase aggressive takedowns and an attacking style on the ground. The event features a tournament and then one-off super fights between major ADCC champions.
Some of the athletes, specifically former ADCC champions, other major grappling champions, and well known MMA fighters, are invited to come compete at the ADCCs, while others go through regional qualifiers. This series will seek to profile some of the major players at the 2015 ADCCs.
Rubens Charles “Cobrinha”
Who is this guy?
Rubens Charles “Cobrinha” is one of the living jiu jitsu legends still competing. He was a late starter in jiu jitsu, actually spending his teens earning a “Master” rank in the Brazilian martial art/dance style of Capoeira, which developed his dexterity and athleticism. Cobrinha took his first jiu jitsu class at 21 years of age. He started out under Mauro Pacifico, whom he trained under for sometime. With Pacifico’s blessing he moved to train under Fernando “Terere” Augusto and it was there that Cobrinha was promoted to black belt a decade ago in 2005.
Cobrinha went on to win the next four IBJJF World Championships (2006 – 2009). During that time, Terere’s team fell apart and Cobrina joined Alliance Jiu Jitsu, and remains the standard bearer for that team. In recent years, Cobrina has been collecting second and third place medals at the IBJJF worlds with the rise of Rafael Mendes. Concurrently, Cobrina’s no gi game has been getting progressively more advanced. In 2009 and 2011, Cobrinha won silver and then in 2013 he finally took gold at ADCCs. He has also won four IBJJF No Gi World Championships, a lesser achievement than ADCCs.
Cobrinha is one of the very finest grapplers alive, largely viewed as the best Lightweight in grappling history, and is heading to ADCCs as the defending champion at 35 years of age.
What is his game like?
Cobrinha’s game starts with his guard, which is outstanding and has been through many different iterations. His spider guard was once cutting edge, his de la riva is legend, his inversion game is excellent, and in the ADCC rule set he mixes in footlocks and leg attacks very smoothly that makes his guard truly terrifying.
If you follow Cobrinha on social media and see his stream of technique videos, then you’ve likely noticed his increasing emphasis on wrestling. Cobrinha’s top game has always been fantastic, carrying over outstanding balance and dynamism from his Capoeira days. His guard passing is outstanding and is lighting quick to take the back at a moments notice. Once on the back he is a killer, which is to be expected in sport grappling.
Over the last five years Cobrinha has been ever tinkering with his game and staying on the cutting edge of the metagame. Largely this has been in his effort to keep up with the decade younger Rafa Mendes.
How is he likely to do?
If history is any guide, Cobrinha will be in the medal rounds. And the door has really opened for Cobrinha as Rafa Mendes has announced he will be skipping ADCCs this year to spend time with his one year old child and pregnant wife. There are still still serious players for him to contend with such as João Miyao, up-and-coming leg lock wizard Eddie Cummings, Jeff Glover is rumored to be in the division, as is ADCC Medalist Justin Rader. It should be an excellent field, and Cobrinha seems the current favorite to take home the gold without Mendes.