The update shows both the glories and the growing pains of a group inspired by USA's Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) championships:
"The major news is that Superfight Champion Ricardo Arona is stepping down from the superfight to concentrate on PRIDE," states ADCC spokesperson Miguel Iturrate. "With this in mind, we offered the superfight to Arona's runner up from the 2001 Absolute, and he accepted. That fighter is Jean Jacques Machado, and he will be in the SUPERFIGHT against American Dean Lister.
"MMA has also cost us two other champions, as Mario Sperry and Royler Gracie will also be pursuing MMA opportunities. We are confident that the 2005 World Championships will field the top talent in the world today, and new faces will definitely add intrigue to the event. We wish Arona, Sperry and Royler only the best.
"New names that have been confirmed include Alberto Crane in the under 66 KG class, UFC TV show winner Diego 'Nightmare' Sanchez, Former UFC and wrestling star Vladimir Matyushenko, ADCC standouts from 2003 Fabrizio Werdum, Otto Olson and David Terrell and the USA's Erica Montoya among the ladies competitors."
Sounds good. So just what is the Abu Dhabi Combat Club, and what makes it unique?
About Abu Dhabi Combat Club
The team was the idea of a United Arab Emigrates national who, while studying in the USA, became a fan of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He studied Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Prof. Nelson Monterio Jr. in his San Diego Academy, and upon finishing his studies in the USA, convinced Prof. Monterio to move to Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Combat Club was born.
While members principally study Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, they cross-train in Boxing, Kickboxing, Judo, Wrestling and other arts beneficial to so-called 'No Rules' Fighting.
ADCC currently has many team members who compete in Grappling tournaments and professional fights around the world - George Delchev, Lubomir Guedjev, Peter Ivanov, Khalil Ibrahim, Yousef Al Alami, Hassem Mousa.
The Goal:
The goals of ADCC "are to generally promote a healthy lifestyle by educating members in nutrition and to train people in all aspects of self-defense, which in turn builds self-confidence."
ADCC's President:
The President of Abu Dhabi Combat Club is H.E. Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Vice President of ADCC is H.E. Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Team Ranks:
Current belt rankings for the team:
[Member Name -- Jiu-Jitsu Rank]
- H.E. Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed -- Black belt
- Peter Ivanov -- Brown belt
- Guy Neivens -- Purple belt
- H.E. Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed -- Blue belt
- Riyad Bamatraf -- Blue belt
- Hareb Neyadi -- Blue belt
- Dr. Jebber Bittar -- Blue belt
- Abdul Gaha Quaissieh -- Blue belt
- Lubomir Guedjev -- Blue belt
Instructors:
The instructors at ADCC are:
[Instructor -- Name Class]
- Hassem Mousa -- Judo
- Sergei -- Judo
- Yousef Al Alami -- Judo
- Khalil Ibrahim -- Kickboxing
- Iina Delcheva -- Kickboxing
- George Delchev -- Kickboxing
- Peter Ivanov -- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Students:
In addition ADCC has approximately 50 full time students and 16 children aged 7 - 12 who show a lot of promise.
Apart from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, club members are encouraged to compete in other sporting events, such as Triathlons.
ADCC Techniques:
The reason ADCC has 'no rules fighters' who compete internationally is to test the club's techniques, its effectiveness in a 'real fight' situation, and to learn techniques from other fighters and opponents in the process. ADCC believes you learn whether you win or lose, because you also learn from your mistakes.
Most martial arts schools only practice one style; their students are therefore limited. ADCC however practices a variety of Martial Art techniques, and likes to learn from other styles in order to pass on these effective techniques to students throughout the club.
So okay, maybe this new ADCC is pretty cool. But how do you know if it's right for you?
ADCC Championship Rules & Regulations
Rules & Regulations
The Championship is tournament style -- i.e., only the winner proceeds to the next round.
Gee, Kimono & Wrestling Shoes are optional.
The mat area is 9 x 9 meters, no cage or fence. If the fighters go out of this area, the referee will restart the fight in the center of the mat, in the same position as when they left the mat; this follows the rule found in Greco-Roman wrestling. If the fighters were standing, they will start again facing each other.
1) Legal Techniques:
Any kind of choke (except for using the hand to close the wind pipe)
Any armbar, shoulder lock, or wrist lock
Any Leg Lock or Ankle Lock
2) Illegal Techniques:
"Full Nelson" and "Crucifix"
No striking of any kind
No eye gouging or fish hooking
No grabbing the ears
No hair pulling
No finger or toe holds
No thumbing
No scratching and pinching
No kicking
No biting
No touching groin area
No hands, knees or elbows on face
No slippery substances allowed on body or clothing
No use of T-Shirt, and no holding the shorts allowed
3) Securing Points:
Mount position = 2 points
Back mount with hooks = 3 points
Passing the guard = 3 points
Knee on stomach = 2 points
Clean Sweeps = 4 points
Sweeps = 4 Points
Clean Take down (Ends passed the guard)= 4 points
Take down (Ends Guard or Half Guard)= 2 points
Each position must be established for 3 seconds or more in order for points to be awarded.
When changing positions, 'multiple positions points' will be awarded only for the position that has been established for 3 seconds or more.
Reversals are considered Sweeps as well.
Penalties:
When a fighter voluntarily jumps in the guard or goes from a standing position to a non-standing position by any means, and remains down for 3 seconds or more, he will be punished by a minus point.
When a fighter disengages from contact and starts backing up and avoids to engage again he will be punished by minus point.
A passive fighter will be warned twice and then will be punished by minus point.
The referee will warn the passive player by the words 'Warning: Passivity'.
If a fighter breaks the rules twice he will be disqualified by the referee.
Winning an ADCC match
The winner will be decided according to:
Whether or not one competitor submits by tapping the opponent's leg or arm, or by verbal means;
If referee feels one competitor is unable to defend himself or feels his life is in danger, the referee will declare the winner;
Wins occur by:
Submission
Points
Referee Decision
Weight Classes
143 lbs. and Under
144 lbs. to 167 lbs.
168 lbs. to 191 lbs.
192 lbs. to 216 lbs.
217 lbs. and over
Time Limits
Qualifying Rounds = 10 Minutes
Finals = 20 Minutes
5 Minutes overtime occurs if there is a draw with no advantage.
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