UFC 230: Jacare vs Chris Weidman for Co Main Event

By Fanatics Authors, October 20, 2018

Yesterday, it was announced that Luke Rockhold sustained an injury during training, and was unable to face Chris Weidman for the Co Main event at UFC 230 in Madison Square Garden on Nov. 3rd (with Daniel Cormier vs. Derrick Lewis).

However, just as quickly as the injury was announced, Dana White informed ESPN's Brett Okamoto that Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza would fill in for Rockhold and fight Weidman instead.

Submissions and BJJ Grappling Legend

Jacare is currently ranked #5 in the UFC middleweight division and is one of the most decorated grapplers (submission/No Gi and BJJ) of all time. The 38 year old competitor has won Gold at his weight class in the 2005 ADCC in Long Beach, as well as the Superfight match in 2009 in Barcelona vs. another grappling legend, Robert Drysdale.

In terms of BJJ gi accomplishments, he has won his weight class as a black belt in the 2004 and 2005 IBJJF World Championships, as well as the 2005 Absolute Title, where he famously had his arm broken by Roger Gracie in the finals, and then proceeded to complete the match, winning on points.

Chris Weidman's Impressive ADCC Run

Interestingly enough, Jacare's opponent for UFC 230, Chris Weidman, the #3 ranked UFC middleweight in the world shocked the world when he competed in ADCC in 2009 as a purple belt and went the distance against the legend Andre Galvao in the quarter finals in a back and forth grappling match, which he barely lost. (He also famously lost in the absolute tournament when he was flying armbarred by Vinny Magalhaes).

It was not until 2015 that the two-time All-American NCAA Division 1 Wrestler received his black belt from Matt Serra and Renzo Gracie.

Who Takes It?

Come Nov. 3rd, it will be interesting to see how this fight plays out between these two grappling legends. Will Jacare's impeccable BJJ accomplishments allow him to submit Chris? Or will Chris's awesome wrestling skills, combined with his dangerous Black Belt jiu jitsu skills allow him to defeat Jacare?

Let's see!