This past weekend CTA instructor Yuri Simoes traveled to LA with professor Caio Terra to compete in Metamoris 5. Metamoris is a 20 minute submission only event and is considering one of the premier Jiu Jitsu events in the world. At the first match of the first metamoris ever, featured professor Caio Terra vs Jeff Glover. Jeff had beaten professor earlier so this was kind of a grudge match. After nearly 12 minutes of grappling professor secured the arm bar, got the tap and was declared the first metamoris champion. Samir Chantre also competed in Metamoris 3. This goes with out saying CTA and CTA athletes are no stranger to this type of format. Points or submission only it’s all Jiu Jitsu.
Right after no gi worlds Yuri started his preparation and his training camp began. Two weeks prior to his match with Professor Rafael Lovato Jr. Yuri was informed Professor Lovato sustained an injury and would not be able to compete. After a couple of days of not knowing what was going on, the 2014 No Gi world champion and multiple time 5 grappling champion Keenan Cornelius stepped in.
Yuri had faced Keenan twice before, once at 5 losing 4-0 and last month at No-gi worlds where Yuri came out the victor. When the Taiko drum sounded both athletes came out aggressive. After trading numerous submission attempts and fighting for 20 minutes the fight ended in a draw, but is often cited as the the match of the night. Congrats to Keenan and Yuri. This caps of the 2014 competition season for Yuri, a year where he won double silver at the European Championships, gold at pans, bronze at worlds, double gold at no gi worlds and won just about every other IBJJF tournament he entered. What an amazing year, can’t wait for 2015!!
