Gabriel Almada 
André Porfírio has had a successful career in BJJ, with titles at the Pan 2021 and American Nationals 2020 at black belt level, but now he’s focused on writing his name in grappling history. At the age of 25, Porfírio is going through a decisive moment and has the opportunity to take off in the sport.
The Brazilian is scheduled to compete in the Blue Collar grappling Grand Prix, which will be held this Friday, September 1st, in Fort Myers, Florida. The Grand Prix champion will be awarded 25 thousand dollars.
The tournament brings together opponents that André Porfírio has already beaten, such as Roberto Jimenez and Giancarlo Bodoni. He could also face Roosevelt Sousa, his former training partner at Fight Sports, in the semi-finals. Porfirio left the team this year and migrated to Alpha Miami Grappling to focus on preparing for the ADCC.
In an interview with VF Comunica, André Porfírio comments on his preparations for the event and points out that he has evolved in recent months because he has ventured into smaller championships.
“I’m feeling really good, I was one of the first to accept Blue Collar’s invitation, so I’ve been preparing for almost three months. During the preparation, as well as taking care of my diet and the technical side, I like to compete and have a journey to the main event. A lot of people like to save up and fight the big event, I’m not like that, I like to compete, so I fought as much as possible during this period. Now, I feel completely fine. I’ve been competing since I was a kid, so fighting today is a normal day,” shares the black belt.
The Grand Prix brackets have already been set and André Porfírio will face Roberto Jimenez in the quarter-finals. Porfírio analyzes the technical fit with Robertinho and recalls the day he finished him with an armbar.
“I’ve fought Roberto without a gi and I’ve finished him. There are a lot of fights we do that people don’t know about. I managed to apply a beautiful armbar when he tried to jump to pass my guard. I think it’s one of my most beautiful finishes. Today he’s a much better athlete and at a different level, just like me,” André recalls.
If he beats Roberto, André Porfírio could face Roosevelt Sousa. The black belt praises his former training partner’s game and highlights the technical quality of his possible opponent in the tournament.
“First I have Roberto to face, who is a very tough guy, but it’s inevitable not to think ahead. Roosevelt is a difficult puzzle to solve because he’s very technical. There are people who think he’s all strength, but on the contrary, he has a lot of technique, I know because I used to train with him. I get upset because people talk a lot about his fight with Gordon, but Roosevelt is very tough. He stands guard, he’s flexible, he passes well. He’s a small guy in the body of a giant”, says Porfírio.
