Pablo Popovitch

Pablo Popovitch is the founder of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor with a 3rd Degree black belt.Fact|date=October 2007

Early history

Pablo Popovitch was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 9, 1979. He is the oldest son of Jorge Popovitch and Soraya Popovitch. He became involved with Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the young age of 4, where his teachers were the Machado brothers, Rigan, Carlos, Jean Jaques and also Rillion Gracie. He was always close to the Gracie family because his father was their good friend.Fact|date=October 2007 His aunt actually married Crolin Gracie, so the friendship paid off in more ways than one. His cousins are Lyra, Kivia and Rullivan Gracie. The Popovitches moved to Florida in 1995 when Popovitch was 15. He continued to study Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlson Gracie and his father Jorge Popovitch. His training partners were members of the legendary Carlson Gracie Team and members of the current Brazilian top team. While attending high school in Florida, Popovitch was introduced to collegiate-style wrestling. His already accomplished skills at grappling lead to success and several offers from colleges to continue at the highest level of that sport. Popovitch opted instead to continue his devotion to his first love, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In 1995 he founded the [http://www.bjjcenter.com Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Center] in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Fight career

Popovitch was invited to the 2005 ADCC (World Submission Wrestling Tournament).Fact|date=October 2007 The world championships are a Biannual invitation only event. Popovitch defeated Renzo Gracie in the first round, Roan Carnero in the second, and Jake Shields in the third. In the finals Popovitch lost to Marcelo Garcia.

Pablo is now ranked the second best [Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter at 76 kg in the world.Fact|date=October 2007 He is also nine times North American Grappling Association Superfight championFact|date=October 2007 and a seven-time Grapplers Quest Superfight champion.Fact|date=October 2007 He is the current reigning North American champion in the ADCC world submission competition,Fact|date=October 2007 current reigning champion of the Grapplers Quest Las Vegas, Music City Pro, Casca Grossa Open and III Northeast Pro tournaments.Fact|date=October 2007 He is also a two-time Shootfighting champion.Fact|date=October 2007h

Recent titles and awards

*2008 Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Champion
*2007 World Jiu-Jitsu Champion
*2007 Abu Dhabi World Championship ADCC- 2nd Place
*2007 USA Team Trials Champion
*2007 N.A.G.A Lightweight Champion
*2007 Florida Atlantic Cup Superfight Champion
*2006 N.A.G.A Instructor Of The Year
*2005 Abu Dhabi World ChampionshipADCC- 2nd Place
*National Champion USA- 10 times
*Grapplers Quest Champion- 7 times
*2004 USA Team Trials Champion
*2003 North American World Submission Champion
*Casca Grossa Pro division Champion
*Music City Pro Division Champion
*III Northeast Grappling Tournament Pro division Champion
*Texas Submission Pro Division Champion

*M.M.A record: 2-0

References

# Pablo Popovitch History [http://www.bjjcenter.com/staff_details.php?MemberID=1 ] , ADCC 2007 Official Results [http://www.themmaboards.com/showthread.php?t=1830] , Gracie Magazine Interview [http://www.bjjcenter.com/news_detail.php?NewsArticleID=76] , USA Team Trials 2007 Official Results [http://www.grapplers.com/zone/news_archive_view.cfm?news_story_id=161 ] , N.A.G.A Results [http://www.nationallyranked.com/index.cfm?ac=RANKEDEventResults&EID=1500 ] ADCC News Interview [http://adcombat.net/adnet/Wrestling/ShowArticleDetails.asp?ShowYear=2005&AID=43&] USA Team Trial 2003 Official Results [http://www.grapplers.com/zone/news_archive_view.cfm?news_story_id=129] , Music City Official Results [http://onthemat.com/articles/Music_City_Grappling_Tournament_09_09_2003.html]

External links

* [http://www.bjjcenter.com Pablo Popovitch Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Center]