ADCC open class champion in 2017, Felipe Pena returns to the largest grappling event in the world to try a for new record. ADCC takes place on Aug. 17 and 18 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. 

Pena will compete in the +99kg division, has plans to join the open class, and is scheduled to face Gordon Ryan in a super fight on Saturday. For the first time, ADCC will have one athlete (Gordon Ryan) fight in two super fights in the same event, and Felipe can capture three golds and make history.

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“I don’t see it as making history,” Felipe said in an exclusive interview with FloGrappling. “I think I’m the first ADCC athlete to do this, but I haven’t done it yet, and we never know what can happen.” 

“It's worth nothing if that doesn't happen. But if I do this, it will be historic to become a super fight champion and open weight and weight division champion in the same event. There are many things to happen, and I try not to put pressure on myself. I’m training, and I will show my best. I’m confident and ready to give my best and deliver my best performance.”

Felipe Pena and Gordon Ryan have a long-standing rivalry. They first faced off in 2016, when Felipe won by submission. The next time was at ADCC 2017, and Felipe won by points, securing his spot for his first super fight in 2019.

Two years ago, they faced each other on WNO 14, whivh Gordon won. They had another match scheduled for 2023, but Gordon pulled out due to health issues. So Felipe understands the importance of this scheduled fourth matchup.

“Before Mo [Jassim] invited me, Gordon sent me a message months before asking if I was interested,” Felipe said. “It’s a match that everyone wants to watch, and I think they chose me because I have a history on ADCC and a long history with Gordon Ryan.”

“I think there is no better place than the ADCC stage for this fight to happen because it’s the biggest event in the world. They are growing every year, and for sure, they are preparing a great show this year. So it couldn’t be in a better stage.”

Revisit Felipe Pena’s History at ADCC

Felipe made his ADCC debut in 2015 after winning the Brazilian trials with an incredible performance, submitting five out of six opponents by rear-naked choke. At that time, Felipe had only been a black belt for two years and was already climbing to the top, guaranteeing the silver medal in the -99kg division final.

“I think I improved a lot technically speaking from 2015 to now,” Felipe said. “I’m heavier now; in 2015, I competed in the 99kg division because Rominho [Rômulo Barral] was in the 88kg, but I was lighter.”

“In 2015, I was a new black belt. I had a lot of desire and willingness, but I made many mistakes.”

Two years later, in Finland, Felipe returned stronger and took the silver medal in the -99kg division and the gold in the absolute after beating the experienced Celsinho Venicius, Victor Honorio, Marcus Almeida, and Gordon Ryan.

“It was a dream coming true. I was hungry to win this absolute. I believe I had the toughest bracket of the tournament. It was an incredible moment of fulfillment. I trained so hard for this event as usual, but I believe that I was ready for 2017,” he said.

“It was even more special to win this way, submitting Buchecha in the semifinals and taking Gordon Ryan’s back in the finals, with no doubts or controversies, just showing superiority. It was more than the title but about my performance.”

For the next edition in 2019, Felipe was scheduled to face Andre Galvao for his first super fight in the ADCC. They had a previous rivalry and had four matches with two wins each. It was a tiebreak for those athletes, but Galvao beat Felipe by points.

Felipe and Galvao have become good friends; and Felipe is finishing his training camp at Atos Jiu-Jitsu in San Diego, CA.

“Here [Atos] is a place where there is a great and experienced coach, Andre Galvao, especially speaking about ADCC. We had a long rivalry history, but it was inside the mats because we were two athletes seeking victory. He is a good person, and when we fought in 2019, we had the opportunity to talk to become close, which was natural. Today, I’m here finishing my ADCC camp at his academy. It’s a crazy history.”

In 2022, Felipe was not able to make the podium but is more than ready to return and seek three golds at T-Mobile Arena. 

For now, he has a great moment to highlight his career at ADCC.

“My absolute final, beating Gordon Ryan, taking his back, and winning the most important grappling title. I was taking his back, closing the triangle, laughing, and countering a heel hook, a great technique. I think everything was super special and outstanding in my ADCC career,” Felipe said.

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