In 2005, Roger Gracie achieved what no other competitor has done before or since at the ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) World Championships – winning double gold medals with a perfect submission rate. The historic event took place at the Pyramid in Long Beach, California, marking a pivotal moment in grappling history.
Gracie’s path to victory began with a submission win over Justin “Chim Chim” Garcia via rear naked choke. He then faced Eduardo Telles, known for his innovative turtle guard, whom he defeated with an armbar. His third victory came against the legendary Xande Ribeiro, who was previously unscored upon in ADCC competition.
In the finals of his weight division, Gracie faced Alexandre “Cacareco” Ferreira. After two intense regulation periods that ended scoreless, Ferreira declined to continue into the second overtime period, resulting in a verbal submission victory for Gracie.
The absolute division showcased Gracie’s technical superiority even further. He submitted Shinya Aoki with a footlock, then defeated future UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum by rear naked choke in double overtime. In a rematch with Xande Ribeiro in the semifinals, Gracie once again secured victory via rear naked choke.
The absolute final paired Gracie against Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, who had previously defeated him in a gi competition. Gracie executed his trademark game plan, taking Jacare’s back and securing a rear naked choke victory, rendering his opponent unconscious and completing his perfect run.
Throughout the tournament, Gracie’s strategy remained consistent – secure takedowns, pass guard, take the back, and finish with either a choke or armbar. His fundamental-based approach proved effective against the world’s elite grapplers, making his performance even more remarkable considering the caliber of his opponents, including multiple world champions and future MMA stars.
This achievement stands as one of the most dominant performances in grappling history, demonstrating Gracie’s technical mastery and cementing his legacy in the sport. His perfect submission rate while winning both his weight class and the absolute division remains unmatched in ADCC history.
