‘What more does it take?’ – Roberto Jimenez campaigns for ADCC invite
Current IBJJF no-gi absolute champion Roberto Jimenez is campaigning for an invite to the 2024 ADCC World Championships.
Roberto Jimenez is making his case for an invite to the 2024 ADCC World Championships.
Fresh off an entertaining and competitive defeat to two-time heavyweight ADCC silver medalist Nick Rodriguez at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6, Jimenez took to Instagram to voice his frustration about not yet being offered an invite to this August’s ADCC in Las Vegas.
Check out the video he posted below.
“I reached out and asked for an invitation… to ADCC World Championship. I want to know what more does it take to get into ADCC. I won no-gi Worlds, finished all the fights in the absolute. I just had probably the most exciting fight of this last card at the UFC Fight Pass against a two-time ADCC finalist in the 99 plus division. I fought 77 in 2022 and I was malnourished. Now I’m between 88 and I don’t know what else it takes. I reached out for an invitation. I was somewhat ignored. I just want to know, should I be in the ADCC? I think I should.”
Jimenez enjoyed a banner year of competition in 2023. Notably, at the 2023 IBJJF No-Gi Worlds, he submitted two heavyweight ADCC veterans – Heikki Jussila and Roosevelt Sousa – as well as 2019 ADCC 99kg silver medalist Vinicius “Trator” Ferreira to claim gold in the absolute division.
His submission win over Sousa in the tournament final earned Jimenez Grappling Insider’s Submission of the Year honors.
What’s more, the Ecuadorian black belt engaged in razor-close matches with the likes of Rodriguez, reigning ADCC 88kg champion Giancarlo Bodoni, and ADCC qualifier Izaak Michell.
At the 2022 ADCC World Championships, Jimenez competed in the 77kg division, submitting 10th Planet standout Andy Varela in the first round before losing to eventual champion Kade Ruotolo in the second round.
