By Michael Sears 

First-year black belt Gustavo “Braguinha” Batista (Atos) made a big statement with his performance at the 2018 Pans, and his run in the 85kg Brazilian black belt qualifier at the 2018 Abu Dhabi World Pro on Thursday further establishes him as one of the top black belts in the game right now.

The 85kg qualifier for Brazil was considered to be the toughest of all the country qualifiers taking place at Mubadala Arena. Batista needed four wins just or a shot in the main bracket on Friday and the $15,000 prize. 

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He got off to a strong start in the opening round with a 9-0 victory over Caio Pires (Armed Forces Team).

Gustavo Batista. Photo: Michael Sears

Waiting for Batista in the second round was 2017 Worlds silver medalist Patrick Gaudio (GF Team). Gaudio has medaled at Worlds two years in a row and has recent victories over legends such as Romulo Barral and Claudio Calasans. Batista secured a 50-50 sweep in the last 20 seconds to come away with a 2-0 win.

Next up for Gustavo in the semifinal was 2017 Los Angeles Grand Slam winner Renato Canuto (Zenith), who is coming off an impressive run to third place at the Abu Dhabi King of Mats on Tuesday. 

The pair of young black belts looked evenly matched throughout, with Canuto entering the last minute up 2-1 on advantages. Batista then got an advantage by flattening Renato out in half guard, and the match ended with him appearing to be moments away from finishing a knee-slide pass with an underhook. The referee gave the decision to Batista and he advanced to the final.

Batista vs. Calasans. Photo: Michael Sears

Four-time World Pro champion Claudio Calasans (Atos) won this event last year but needed to defeat his Atos teammate Batista just for a shot at competing in the main bracket on Friday. Calasans gave up two points attacking a foot and then failed to sweep from 50-50 as Batista won the match and the Brazilian qualifier.

After a grueling run to win this stacked 85 kg qualifier, things will not get any easier for Braguinha in the main bracket on Friday. Top-ranked Brazilian Isaque Bahiense (Alliance) and both USA representatives, Romulo Barral (Gracie Barra) and Clark Gracie (Clark Gracie BJJ), are all on his side of the bracket, and Batista will need another four victories to get the gold medal and the cash prize.