ADXC 5: Main and Co-Main Event athletes reveal their expectations in the press conference

July 31, 2024

Scheduled to take place on August 2nd, the ADXC 5 marks the organization's return to its birthplace in Abu Dhabi, ready to show the world yet again why it is known as the "Heartbeat of Grappling". After the tournament made history with its latest editions in France and Brazil, the UAE is back as the battlefield that will host 14 breathtaking matches under the high-octane ADXC ruleset, all while pitting some of the best athletes from both Jiu-Jitsu and MMA against each other inside the organization's fearsome cage.

Opening the ADXC 5 fight week this Wednesday, July 31st, fight fans and the press were gifted with a press conference featuring the main players from the upcoming card, with each competitor talking about their first impressions and expectations for the event. Sitting at the table were Grappling Main Event stars Urijah Faber and Bibiano Fernandes, Jiu-Jitsu Main Event leads Rayron Gracie and Marcos Carrozzino, Grappling Co-Main Event fighters Chad Mendes and Diego Brandão, in addition to Jiu-Jitsu Co-Main Event contenders Pedro Ramalho and Max Lindblad.

Before giving the floor to the athletes, the IVSM General Manager Mr. Tareq Al Bahri spoke about the importance of hosting another event in the UAE, highlighting his happiness of taking another step alongside the ADXC's grand production and bringing some welcome news about the tournament's next editions in Abu Dhabi and Brazil.

"I would like to begin this conference by extending my sincere thanks to the primary supporter of Jiu-Jitsu and its players, locally and internationally, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, and to His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, for his tireless efforts in developing this sport. Based on the vision of the wise leadership of the UAE in spreading and supporting the sport, the fifth edition of the Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship confirms its position as an innovative global sports platform. We are committed to continuing the success and excellence we have achieved, and we will continue with a busy schedule of championships in the Emirates and around the world. As we previously announced, the 6th edition of the championship will also be in Abu Dhabi, during Abu Dhabi Challenge Week, specifically on the 25th of next October. Also, I'm pleased to announce to you today the 7th edition of the Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, next November."

After Mr. Al Bahri opened with the big ADXC news, the ADXC 5 stars shared their first impressions of the event, with modern MMA pioneer Urijah Faber showing a lot of anticipation to step into the cage and show his submission skills.

"Happy to be here in Abu Dhabi, a place that lives Jiu-Jitsu", praised Faber. "Facing Bibiano again almost 20 years later is amazing. Grappling for me is just a fun game, my best way to workout, and together with MMA, made me a lot of money. It's part of my DNA. Jiu-Jitsu and Wrestling are the same to me. Obviously in different rulesets but I represent them both. I remember that Bibiano took me down in the first minute of our match with a single leg, only training Jiu-Jitsu. It's gonna be a fun match to watch, for sure."

Coming as Faber's opponent in the tournament, Brazil's Bibiano Fernandes is ready to represent the land of warriors that is his birthplace of Manaus, the capital of the Amazon region. For the Brazilian, having Faber across from him in the cage is an accomplishment in itself, but seizing the victory in the ADXC stage is still his main goal. "Facing Faber here in Abu Dhabi is a dream come true. Never thought of fighting him again so thank god for this opportunity. Jiu-Jitsu changed my life and it can change everyone's lives."

Still in the Main Events, Rayron Gracie and Marcos Carrozzino will headline the tournament with a Jiu-Jitsu bout. An ADXC veteran coming from a big win over Fellipe Andrew, Rayron is ready to represent the Gracie family name in the organization's cage yet again, but he is quick to point out that the weight of his surname doesn't put any pressure on his performance.

"I have no pressure on me at all. The pressure was on my predecessors, who needed to prove the efficiency of Jiu-Jitsu", said Rayron. "My father, my uncles, my grandpa. The pressure was all on them. It's kinda hard to see a good takedown exchange in today's grappling and Carrozzino has a good style of fighting on his feet. I like the ADXC ruleset. Fighting in a cage means you have no room to avoid the fight or stoppages. And with the short time rounds, you need to fight, no stalling. I can only control how much effort I put into the fight and that's what I'm aiming for."

Meanwhile, Marcos Carrozzino brings his extensive mileage to debut in the ADXC. Standing among the best in the AJP rankings, Marcos has his confidence bolstered by ADGS titles and many other victories conquered in Abu Dhabi, so he's not nervous about making his first appearance in the tournament with a Jiu-Jitsu Main Event.

"I'm feeling confident, no pressure at all on fighting in the Main Event. Fighting is everything to me, It's just like riding a bike. I've been doing this since I was a kid, also fighting at the wrestling national team, so I'm confident in my takedowns for this match. Rayron is a great athlete, with big wins to his name. I'm looking forward to this match on Friday."

The Grappling Co-Main Event will feature two UFC veterans making their first fight in the ADXC cage. A wrestler with recent stints in boxing, Chad Mendes is back to the Grappling scene and he's thrilled to not only compete in his favorite fighting style but also to be able to do it within the ADXC action-focused ruleset.

"I was craving for a grappling match to come back to my roots, after some boxing I've done recently", said Chad. "Wrestling has been my bread and butter my whole life but my submission skills are also on point. I've been grappling even before I started fighting MMA. I'm feeling extremely confident in my takedowns and submissions, pretty excited to be here and compete. I'll use my strength and athleticism to keep the pace during the entire match."

Chad's opponent Diego Brandão joined the roster only a few weeks ago, but facing such a dangerous foe on such short notice acted as fuel for the aggressive Diego to race toward victory.

"I competed in Russia on short notice for MMA recently so I'm familiar with this situation of getting fights right off the bat", said Diego. "I was ready and training when they called me. I don't eat a lot so I'm always around my weight, not suffering from jet lag also, so I'm in the right shape to fight. No pressure at all, I'm just happy to be here fighting Chad, even on short notice. I like to be the underdog."

Jiu-Jitsu Co-Main Event leads Pedro Ramalho and Max Lindblad come as top ranking in their respective divisions and they're both looking to showcase their skills in the ADXC cage, fighting in a completely different environment and with rules that reward aggressive play. As far as Pedro is concerned, getting the win is always the main goal, but being a part of the ADXC is its own achievement.

"I started to train Jiu-Jitsu in 2009, the year of the first Abu Dhabi World Pro", remembered Pedro, who's the current ADWPJJC champion in the 77kg division. "A lot changed and improved both in AJP and in my career. Being here, among these high-level athletes, and to be invited to be part of such an amazing event is a kid's dream coming true".

In the face of his opponent's optimism, Max Lindblad showed himself more focused on how the upcoming duel will play out. An ADGS champion out of Sweden, Max believes that the similarities shared between Pedro and himself will either cause a stalemate or put on a show that the crowds won't soon forget. "It's a totally unpredictable output, but we both came to fight and I'm sure we're gonna deliver it."

Only time will tell how each of the battles will play out, but you can watch those and all the other 10 fights in the ADXC 5 card live on the modern TX7.com platform. Stay tuned to @adxcofficial on social media to be the first to know all things ADXC and watch as the organization makes history yet again this Friday. Don't miss!

ADXC 5

Abu Dhabi, UAE

August 2nd, 2024

Main Event

Urijah Faber vs Bibiano Fernandes (Grappling Bout)

Rayron Gracie vs Marcos Carrozzino (Jiu-Jitsu Bout)

Co-Main Event

Chad Mendes vs Diego Brandão (Grappling Bout)

Pedro Ramalho vs Max Lindblad (Jiu-Jitsu Bout)

Main Card

Pouya Rahmani vs Hamdy Abdelwahab (Grappling Bout)

Felipe Bezerra vs Vladimir Blium (Jiu-Jitsu Bout)

AJ Agazarm vs Ruan Alvarenga (Grappling Bout)

Davi Vetoraci vs Amin Boudhina (Jiu-Jitsu Bout)

Jonnatas Gracie vs Burak Sarman (Jiu-Jitsu Bout)

Preliminary Card

Omar Al Suwaidi vs Samuel Marquez (Jiu-Jitsu Bout)

Seilkhan Bolatbek vs Emad Ahmedin (Grappling bout)

Yara Kakish vs Zaifeiria Panagiotarakou (Jiu-Jitsu bout)

Xiaosong Shi vs Abe Alsaghir (Grappling bout)

Balqees Al Hashmi vs Maria Odintsova (Jiu-Jitsu bout)