Staff Predictions: AJ The Brawler vs Tactical Queixinho
Staff Predictions: AJ The Brawler vs Tactical Queixinho
The FloGrappling crew has some strong opinions on who will come out of this with their hand raised.
Unlock this article, live events, and more with a subscription!
Already a subscriber? Log In
The second half of Fight To Win's doubleheader flips the switch and features two incredible gi matches for the main and co-main events of the night. We'll see AJ Agazarm take on Queixinho in the main event, and Roberto Jimenez vs Gabriel Almeida clocking in for the co-main.
The FloGrappling crew has some strong opinions on who will come out of this with their hand raised.
Watch Fight To Win 140 LIVE May 16
Main Event: AJ Agazarm vs Osvaldo 'Queixinho' Moizinho
Hywel: Respect to AJ for putting the gi on. We all know he's a scrapper, but taking on a technician like Queixinho in the gi is basically a handicap match. If this were a no-gi match I'd give Agazarm a stronger chance but I see this as Queixinho's to lose. Agazarm will avoid the submission but lose a decision.
Reid: What a weekend! Two back to back Fight 2 Win events from Dallas, Texas! It might feel like a dream but it’s true, Seth Daniels is single-handedly restoring sanity to the entire jiu-jitsu community. Thanks Seth!
Saturday night brings us Fight 2 Win 140 headlined by the ever polarizing AJ Agazarm and multiple time World medalist Osvaldo ‘Queixinho’ Moizinho. Both men are well versed in the Fight 2 Win ruleset and have numerous wins on the brightly lit stage.
While AJ Agazarm has been focused on his budding MMA career he has also found the time to squeeze in a few Fight 2 Win matches. Most notably he is coming off an impressive decision victory over Ary Farias. Queixinho also is coming off back to back Fight 2 Win victory so i don’t really expect to see too much “ring rust” from either of these aggressive grapplers.
You may have forgotten however that these two have met a few times before and it’s almost always been decided by Queixinho. I expect this time to be no different.
Prediction: Queixinho by judge’s decision
Riccardo: I haven't seen AJ compete in the Gi in quite some time. He is very resilient and always comes to win! However, I feel like Quexinho has a technical advantage in this match which makes it very interesting. I'm gonna go out on a limb on this one and say AJ could actually get this win though.
Ryan: Going with Queixinho here but hoping AJ proves me wrong and makes it a great show for the fans.
Chase: AJ Agazarm is going to pull off the upset tonight. Yes, Queixinho leads the way in this rivalry, but Aj's training regiment and focus and changed drastically since the last time these two faced off.
While his cardio was always solid, it's gone off the charts (just re-watch Ary Farias vs Agazarm from December). Given that Agazarm is essentially impossible to submit, I think he will avoid Queixinho's attacks and grind him down for the decision victory.
Co-Main Event: Roberto Jimenez vs Gabriel Almeida
Hywel: I had reservations when Roberto got promoted to black belt, I felt that it was a little hasty but he proved in his matches with Keenan and Hulk that win or lose, he can hang.
Almeida's solid style will be another test for Jimenez, but I think his youthful energy and unpredictable style will give him the edge. Jimenez by submission.
Reid: Roberto Jimenez vs Gabriel Almeida may be my most anticipated match of the entire weekend. Both these guys are young, hungry and looking to break out among the black belt ranks. With gas tanks that could last all night and submission focused styles this one has fireworks written all over it.
Gabriel Almeida will be looking to capitalize on Roberto’s big win over Keenan Cornelius back in February at Who’s #1 and steal some of that downhill momentum. Which he is very capable of doing. Almeida won what was maybe the toughest tournament of 2019, the ADCCSouth American Trails. A competition that went well past midnight and had Gabriel fight seven tough opponents for gold.
Roberto and Gabriel are no strangers to each other though. Back in 2016 they had a wonderful semi-finals scrap at the infamous ROYAL I tournament. Roberto was just a blue belt and Gabriel a purple. It started as an even match up but Roberto was eventually able to find Gabriel’s back and put the choke in to secure victory like he’s done countless times before.
For my money, there is no one more exciting than Roberto Jimenez competing at black belt right now. That’s why I’ll take him to win by submission in what should be an extremely entertaining matchup regardless of the outcome.
Prediction: Roberto Jimenez by choke from the back
Ryan: I love this matchup but I'm picking Roberto for this one. After his stellar blackbelt debut at WNO...it's hard to look at him as the underdog anymore.
Riccardo: Another great match between 2 submission hunters. Fight to win is tailor-made for Gabriel Almeida's style. And Roberto is coming off of a HUGE win over Keenan at WNO. I feel like if Roberto brings the A-game and opens up, he will win this!
Chase: Looks like the gang is an accord here. It's hard to argue against Roberto's impressive performances against Keenan Cornelius and Lucas "Hulk" Barbosa – his intensity and relentless pursuit of the submission makes him an ideal athlete on The Fight To Win circuit.