Lucas 'Hulk Barbosa' Wins Absolute, Takes Double Gold At No-Gi Worlds
Lucas 'Hulk Barbosa' Wins Absolute, Takes Double Gold At No-Gi Worlds
The absolute final is the match that’s been on everyone’s minds since yesterday’s incredible performances from Lucas Barbosa and Joao Gabriel Rocha.
The absolute final is the match that’s been on everyone’s minds since yesterday’s incredible performances from Lucas Barbosa and Joao Gabriel Rocha.
Watch Lucas Barbosa vs Joao Gabriel Rocha
In case you missed it - Barbosa nearly didn’t make it to the final match: Jackson Sousa took his back with 4 minutes left in the semi-final and was ferociously looking to finish the match. Somehow Barbosa escaped and managed to return the favor - only in this case he didn’t let the opportunity slip through his fingers. He finished the match with just seconds left on the clock and punched his ticket to the final.
Lucas Barbosa vs Jackson Sousa
Joao Gabriel had a equally impressive run -submitting James Barsaco with a lightning fast kneebar and then taking the task to Keenan Cornelius. Though he fell short of the win, his ultra-heavy final against Cyborg Abreu demonstrated that the Soul Fighters represantive still had plenty left in the tank and was ready for action in the absolute match.
Joao Gabriel vs Roberto Cyborg Abreu
Though Lucas was the ‘smaller' man, he made no bones slapping on collar ties and remind aggressive, pressing the takedown against Joao. He was able to counter off long distance shot from Joao, and slam him to the ground, putting him up two points on the scoreboard.
It was the Hulk show from this point on - Barbosa had a seemingly limitless gas tank, attempting cartwheel passes and aggressive knee cuts. Rocha scrambled back to his feet in the dying minute of the round, only to have Barbosa throw him back down to the mats.
Hulk unleashes the beast in the absolute final. photo: Michael Sears.
The final score at the end of the match was 2x0 and 1 advantage, giving Hulk the win. An amazing performance to cap an epic weekend for the ATOS representative.