ADCC 2017 Preview – 88 Kilograms

The 88 kilogram group features multiple past ADCC medalists

ADCC is just a few days out and excitement is steadily growing. Each division is stacked with a wealth of talent and it seems like any competitor can take home this year’s title. The 88 kilogram division is set to see a new champion as the 2015 winner, Yuri Simoes, moved to 99 kilograms to seek his second title. That leaves this division wide open and there are a number of athletes who can claim the title.

Keenan Cornelius is perhaps the first name that jumps off of the list. In 2015 he lost to Simoes 3-0 to claim the silver medal. In 2013 he earned bronze in both his weight class and the absolute division. If that trend continues, this may be the year where he reaches the top of the podium. 2017 has been a strong year for the Andre Galvao black belt and he’s riding the momentum of frequent victories into this tournament. One of the most compelling stories heading into ADCC 2017 is whether or not Cornelius can make this the year he earns the tournament victory that has eluded him to date.

But the field boasts a number of threats. Leandro Lo is an athlete that many expected to have a massive 2017. While he’s had some struggles, he’s found success after success in the last nine months. While Cornelius may be the favorite for the tournament, Lo has defeated him five times in a row dating back to 2014. Lo boasts victories in 2017 against Gordon Ryan, Matheus Diniz, Joao Rocha and a number of other top black belts across the sport making him one of the names to watch in a few weeks.

Rustam Chsiev is another name that shouldn’t go overlooked. He earned the bronze medal at ADCC in 2015 and is consistently a tough out in every tournament where he competes. During that run he defeated a multiple-time world champion in Rafael Lovato Jr., a victory that many people deemed a major upset. With his blend of submission skills and technical wrestling abilities, Chsiev has the skills needed to surprise a lot of people in Finland.

Then there is multiple time ADCC champion Alexandre “Xande” Ribeiro looking to collect his fifth ADCC medal. BetDSI has him listed at a +400 favorite to win the division, tied for Cornelius with the best odds, but he has some of the best experience in the tournament. In 2007 and 2009 he earned the gold medal, while taking the silver in the absolute in 2009. He’s also earned three bronze medals in 2005 and in 2011 within the weight class and the absolute division. All of his career success came in the 99 kilograms weight class, so it will be interesting to see how he does moving down to the 88 kilos group.

With a group that features these talented men along with Gordon Ryan, Dillon Danis, Murilo Santana and others, it may be the most exciting division to watch in ADCC this year. The tournament begins on September 23 to September 24 in Finland and is available for viewing on FloGrappling.

The 88 kilogram group features multiple past ADCC medalists

ADCC is just a few days out and excitement is steadily growing. Each division is stacked with a wealth of talent and it seems like any competitor can take home this year’s title. The 88 kilogram division is set to see a new champion as the 2015 winner, Yuri Simoes, moved to 99 kilograms to seek his second title. That leaves this division wide open and there are a number of athletes who can claim the title.

Keenan Cornelius is perhaps the first name that jumps off of the list. In 2015 he lost to Simoes 3-0 to claim the silver medal. In 2013 he earned bronze in both his weight class and the absolute division. If that trend continues, this may be the year where he reaches the top of the podium. 2017 has been a strong year for the Andre Galvao black belt and he’s riding the momentum of frequent victories into this tournament. One of the most compelling stories heading into ADCC 2017 is whether or not Cornelius can make this the year he earns the tournament victory that has eluded him to date.

But the field boasts a number of threats. Leandro Lo is an athlete that many expected to have a massive 2017. While he’s had some struggles, he’s found success after success in the last nine months. While Cornelius may be the favorite for the tournament, Lo has defeated him five times in a row dating back to 2014. Lo boasts victories in 2017 against Gordon Ryan, Matheus Diniz, Joao Rocha and a number of other top black belts across the sport making him one of the names to watch in a few weeks.

Rustam Chsiev is another name that shouldn’t go overlooked. He earned the bronze medal at ADCC in 2015 and is consistently a tough out in every tournament where he competes. During that run he defeated a multiple-time world champion in Rafael Lovato Jr., a victory that many people deemed a major upset. With his blend of submission skills and technical wrestling abilities, Chsiev has the skills needed to surprise a lot of people in Finland.

Then there is multiple time ADCC champion Alexandre “Xande” Ribeiro looking to collect his fifth ADCC medal. BetDSI has him listed at a +400 favorite to win the division, tied for Cornelius with the best odds, but he has some of the best experience in the tournament. In 2007 and 2009 he earned the gold medal, while taking the silver in the absolute in 2009. He’s also earned three bronze medals in 2005 and in 2011 within the weight class and the absolute division. All of his career success came in the 99 kilograms weight class, so it will be interesting to see how he does moving down to the 88 kilos group.

With a group that features these talented men along with Gordon Ryan, Dillon Danis, Murilo Santana and others, it may be the most exciting division to watch in ADCC this year. The tournament begins on September 23 to September 24 in Finland and is available for viewing on FloGrappling.