2004 World Championship (Mundials).
Black Belt Absolute Final
Tijuca Tenis Clube, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Roger Gracie (Blue Gi) v Ronaldo “Jacare” de Souza (White Gi)
If you were to take a poll amongst hardcore BJJ enthusiasts to rank the greatest BJJ matches, I would imagine the 2004 Absolute Final would be chosen, consistently, in peoples’ top 3.
Roger was entering 2004, as his second year at black belt, with a finals appearance in the 2003 Absolute, where he lost to Marcio “Pe de Pano” Cruz.
Jacare was the reigning Brown Belt Medium Heavy and Absolute Champion of 2003 and was making his debut at Black Belt in the Mundials.
This was not their first encounter (nor would it be their last). In the 2002 Brown Belt Absolute Final, Roger bested Jacare to emerge as champion.
My favorite matches typically involves one particular thing that stands out for me. In this match, it is an arm bar. Not really a spoiler as you will see what I mean as you watch parts 1 and 2.
Also, enjoy Bruce Buffer, the voice of the Octagon, in the background.