Earlier today B Team’s latest star went viral when he intervened and stopped his own car from getting stolen.
This brings to mind several incidents in which seasoned BJJ competitors stopped a crime in progress.
In a dramatic turn of events, a would-be mugger found himself at the mercy of his intended target, who happened to be a skilled martial arts champion. Wesley Sousa de Araujo’s robbery attempt took a swift and unexpected turn when he targeted Monique Bastos, unaware of her formidable skills in jiu-jitsu.
Bastos, a six-time MMA champion and holder of a blue belt in jiu-jitsu, quickly turned the tables on Araujo. With precision and expertise, she swiftly brought him down using a jiu-jitsu move, leaving him pleading for mercy and assistance from the police.
The incident took place on the pavements of Acailandia, western Brazil, where Araujo and another man approached Bastos and another woman. The duo cornered the women on a motorbike and demanded their mobile phones. Little did they know that they had targeted a highly capable martial artist.
Bastos wasted no time in neutralizing the threat. She executed a RNC on Araujo, immobilizing him, and then transitioned into a triangle to maintain control. For a staggering 20 minutes, she held Araujo in this submission hold, ensuring he remained incapacitated until the police arrived.
Reflecting on the incident, Bastos shared her mindset during the encounter, stating, “One of the guys grabbed the mobile phone I was carrying. I could see that they were not armed, so I knocked their motorbike down. I wasn’t afraid. I knew I could immobilize them. One of them managed to run away, so I got the motorbike driver with a ‘lion killer’ and held him in my legs for 20 minutes.”
The “lion killer” is a submission technique commonly used in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It involves the attacker wrapping their arm around the opponent’s neck, placing pressure on the trachea with the crook of their elbow.
Video footage captured by an onlooker’s mobile phone captured the intensity of the situation. Araujo can be heard screaming for help as Bastos maintains her hold, applying pressure to his neck. Desperately, he pleads for his father, mother, and Jesus, claiming it was his first time attempting such a crime.
Following his capture, Araujo was taken to the local police station, where he denied his involvement in the attempted robbery, according to reports.
The incident serves as a reminder of the unexpected capabilities individuals possess and the importance of personal safety. Bastos’ remarkable display of skill and bravery showcases the power of self-defense and highlights the importance of martial arts training for personal protection.
