Six-time winner Rodolfo Vieira is not surprised by UAE’s Faisal Al Ketbi’s rise and expects the Emirati to pose a big threat should the pair meet at next week’s Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championships (ADWPJC).
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The black belt fighter has a rich history in the tournament since its debut in 2009, winning gold in three different weight divisions in the capital.
The Brazilian will line up in the Under-95kg category, having decided not to compete in the Open Division where he has been beaten twice by compatriot Marcus Almeida in the last two finals.
“I injured my back towards the end of last year and I didn’t treat it adequately and I couldn’t train to the best of my abilities,” explained the 25-year-old on why he is competing in the Under-95kg.
“I just slowed down on my training regime, but since the beginning of January I have been training intensively for this tournament.
“I prefer to fight in the Under- 95kg category but it’s just a matter of preference and I feel that any weight division above that (Under- 95kg) would be too much.”
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With a seventh world gold firmly in his mind, he is wary of all competitors in his category and spoke highly of UAE’s top-ranked jiu-jitsu fighter Al Ketbi.
Al Ketbi will make his first appearance at the ADWPJC event in the black belt category since moving up from brown last May. And Vieira insists he will relish the opportunity of taking on Al Ketbi if the pair clash at the IPIC Arena.
“I’ve known Faisal since he did judo and we have fought previously. It would be an honour to fight him in his own country,” he said.
“There are a lot of good fighters in this category and obviously Faisal is a favourite in this region; it would be very good to meet him.”
#UAE‘s Faisal Al Ketbi targets gold in Jiu-Jitsu Championship: http://t.co/7MY0yYRbQJ @JiuJitsuHQ @AbuDhabiEvents pic.twitter.com/bfzVfmmCg9
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He added: “He’s definitely improved considerably and everybody says he trains consistently and is focused on improving himself.
“Anyone who wants to do it (rise in rank), can do it and he has done well by reaching the top through dedication. If someone wants to do the same by reaching the top, they can do it as well.”
The four-time Brazilian world jiu-jitsu champion cannot wait for the tournament that he highly regards.
“This tournament is the one I enjoy the most and it’s my biggest event of the year. The world’s best compete here, adding more value to the tournament and the country as a whole respects jiu-jitsu which is why I enjoy competing in Abu Dhabi very much,” added Vieira.
