It’s great to be competing again, I loved it. I had good matches and it was a great warm up for the ADCC. Got to use my BJJ and my wrestling in every match and it gave me the opportunity to see what I need to work on to make my game better.
Here is the breakdown of my matches:
Pablo Popovitch VS Jo Jo Guarin:
Started with a quick takedown, passed the guard and established side control. Made a mistake on the side mount and Jo Jo had a good single leg attack. I defended the single and counterattacked with a double leg. From there we stayed on closed guard for about a minute where he was spending a lot of energy, I felt that he got winded. After that I passed again, mounted, took his back and choke him out with Rear Naked Choke.
Score 15-0 and I submitted in the end via Rear Naked Choke
Pablo Popovitch Vs Jorge “Macaco”Patino
This was our 2nd match on the year; we had previously competed against each other in January. I worked to get a takedown, passed his guard and took his back. From there I went to an Arm bar but could not finish. End up on the bottom (guard) and that was the end of the match.
Score 8-0
Pablo Popovitch Vs Tom Manelski
Tom is a student of my great friend Bill. He surprised everyone by defeating the likes of: Efrain Ruiz(FFA Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Head Instructor), Matt Arroyo(UFC Fighter) and Bill “The Grill “Cooper, in which was the favorite to be in the finals against me. In the end it was Tom that made all the way to the finals. I started the matched with a takedown, we kind of went out of bounds, the referee pushed us back to the middle but I felt I didn’t have a chance to control the half guard that well. He turned on the knees and stood up on me. After a minute or so I shot a single leg and switched for a double(it was a nice takedown). One more time we went out of bounds, back in the middle I shot another single leg but this time I was able to secure his back with the hooks. After a minute or so on the back I went for an arm bar but the time expired. Great match!
Score 8-0
James Brasco competed at the Louisiana Fighting Championship in a professional MMA bout winning by submission in less than two minutes. His opponent was David knight who had an experience advantage with 16 fights under his belt holding a record of 9-7. Brasco used his superior wrestling and BJJ to finish the bout. Brasco now has a professional record of 4-1 with his only loss coming via doctor stoppage due to a cut. Congrats to our wrestling coach !!!!
Pennsylvania-native James Brasco (2-1) fighting out of TeamPopovitch in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, steps up on just five days notice to face Kevin Abrante (3-0) fighting out of Gracie Barra in Orlando, Florida, in a non-tournament middleweight fight in the inaugural Bellator Fighting Championships this Friday, April 3, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The three-time NCAA Eastern Regional and AAU Grand National champion in both Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling made his MMA debut defeating William Parker by first round TKO at World Extreme Fighting in August 2007. Passed up by the UFC for Season 7 of The Ultimate Fighter, Brasco went on to defeat Gareth Joseph by Split Decision at Cage Warriors USA in March 2008. The 2007 World Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt Champion fell to Yosmany Cabezas by first round TKO at Real Fighting Championships in September 2008. With months of down time between fights, the self-named “Last Minute” has had a tough time securing fights. Now, the 34-year-old six-time N.A.G.A. champion and ADCC North American Trial Invitee steps back into the cage after another seven month lay-off from competition. ADCC News had an opportunity to get with Brasco shortly after he accepted the fight.
ADCC: You’re stepping up on just five days notice to fight this Friday in a non-tournament middleweight fight in the inaugural Bellator Fighting Championships. How did you secure the fight? BRASCO: I secured it when a bout fell thru at the show and they wanted to replace it. They wanted a local guy and my opponent is Latin (Puerto Rican), so I guess it fit just right for the show.. They are trying to target that market, as I guess it will be shown on ESPN Desportes? Our records are also similar, so it all just fell into place. Also the money purse was great so here I am ….ready to go man !!!!!!!!!!
ADCC: Who is your opponent and what do you think about him? BRASCO: My opponent is Kevin Abrante from Gracie Orlando, I guess. I think I outmatch him in every area and feel good. I do respect him for taking the fight with me on short notice. I look forward to the opportunity !!!!
I am proud to announce that we are now offering a WOMAN ONLY BOOTCAMP.
The bootcamp consists of russian keetlebelt training, plyometrics, cardio and strength exercises. Our instructor Camila Silva will be teaching the program and she is one of the few certified instructors to teach Keetlebelt . Classes will be held in the Ft Lauderdale Beach, for directions and to take advantage of our 2 week FREE trial please contact the school at (954)771-0084.
Congratulations to Joe”The Deal” Heink for displaying outstanding jiujitsu technique to finish a brown belt in the XFC event this past weekend, he has been doing great in competition and it was time to get promoted. Watch the video of his last MMA fight and the surprise promotion.
Pablo Popovitch
P-S. Joe is also the Head instructor of Highlander/ Popovitch Team of Kentucky
Tecia will be fighting her 2nd Kickboxing bout tonight at the Coliseum in Daytona Beach, Fl.
I am proud to announce that we are now offering a WOMAN ONLY BOOTCAMP.