Thierry Felipe wants the $20,000 and the big names at The Crown

Beat a big name or take home The Crown’s $20,000? For Thierry Felipe, the answer is both. Asked by VF Comunica, in a video posted jointly with the athlete, the Marcio Andre Jiu-Jitsu ultra-heavyweight said he is working to leave Long Beach on November 8 with the prize money and with wins over the biggest names in his bracket.

“I believe that with how hard we’re working, we can do both: win the $20,000 and beat every big name that’s there on November 8, at The Crown,” he said.

In the video’s caption, he repeated the idea: “I’m working to do both on Nov. 8 at The Crown.”

“Show that we’ve arrived at the elite”

Thierry also spoke for his teammates, naming Eliza Nascimento and Tarcisio Santos, who competes at middleweight in the event. “With how hard we’re working, I believe we can do it, me, Eliza, Tarcísio, get there, give our best, show that we’ve arrived at the elite and that we’re staying there,” he said.

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For him, the money and the name go together. “I think it’s worth even more than $20,000 when you beat several big names, especially at an event like The Crown. But we’re going for both,” he added.

The ultra-heavyweight bracket

Thierry got his black belt from Marcio Andre in September and, as he told VF Comunica in an exclusive interview, sees The Crown as a dream come true. Before that, this Saturday (Oct. 17), he is registered for the IBJJF Sacramento Open, in the same bracket as Francisco Papasidero.

At The Crown’s ultra-heavyweight division, the IBJJF has confirmed Thierry, Papasidero, Seif-Eddine Houmine, Helder Rodrigues, Alexander Sak, Pedro Machado and Matheus Vetoraci. Each division winner takes home $20,000.

Can Thierry Felipe do both at The Crown? Let us know in the comments.

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