UAEJJFFeb 13, 2017 by Hywel Teague
After Beating Xande In Black Belt Debut, Nicholas Meregali Eyes IBJJF Pans
After Beating Xande In Black Belt Debut, Nicholas Meregali Eyes IBJJF Pans
Meregali submitted every opponent en route to the -94kg final where he faced off with the legendary Xande Ribeiro, a seven-time IBJJF World champion.
Nicholas Meregali won everything there was to win at brown belt in 2016.
IBJJF World champion. UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro champion. IBJJF Pan and European champion. Final four in the Copa Podio Middleweight Grand Prix (fighting against black belts). AND he was crowned the #1 brown belt in the UAEJJF rankings.
Incredible.
Promoted to black belt in December, Meregali was expected to make his black belt debut at the Euros.
Instead, he held off until last weekend's Brazil National Pro, a UAEJJF tournament that offers travel packages to Abu Dhabi for the World Pro as prizes.
Meregali submitted every opponent en route to the -94kg final where he faced off with the legendary Xande Ribeiro, a seven-time IBJJF World champion.
The young Alliance black belt had this to say about the experience.
"Of course I have to improve a lot, that's natural," he says. "I think that even for my debut, just having achieved a place in Abu Dhabi was enough, even knowing all the technical mistakes I had, I thought my performance acceptable."
Next up for Meregali is the IBJJF Pans, a little over a month away. He'll compete in the heavyweight division, alongside figures such as Leandro Lo, Andre Galvao, Felipe Pena, Jackson Sousa and more.
His calm demeanor and humble attitude shine through when asked what he needs to do to face off with such notable names.
You may also like:
• The 2016 Brown Belt Of The Year: Nicholas Meregali
• Leandro Lo vs Nicholas Meregali Copa Podio 2016 Middleweight Grand Prix
• WATCH: Meregali Wins Big At 'Oscars for BJJ'
IBJJF World champion. UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro champion. IBJJF Pan and European champion. Final four in the Copa Podio Middleweight Grand Prix (fighting against black belts). AND he was crowned the #1 brown belt in the UAEJJF rankings.
Incredible.
Promoted to black belt in December, Meregali was expected to make his black belt debut at the Euros.
Instead, he held off until last weekend's Brazil National Pro, a UAEJJF tournament that offers travel packages to Abu Dhabi for the World Pro as prizes.
Meregali submitted every opponent en route to the -94kg final where he faced off with the legendary Xande Ribeiro, a seven-time IBJJF World champion.
The young Alliance black belt had this to say about the experience.
I was a bit lost in the moment, I didn't know what to think or how to act, but I managed to beat one of jiu-jitsu's greatest legends, and a person I admire a lot. I'm euphoric on the inside, but I'm also very confused!Meregali used his dangerous open guard to threaten for triangles and omoplatas during the match, which scored at 0-0. A late near-sweep from his trademark De la-X guard position scored a match-winning advantage.
"Of course I have to improve a lot, that's natural," he says. "I think that even for my debut, just having achieved a place in Abu Dhabi was enough, even knowing all the technical mistakes I had, I thought my performance acceptable."
Next up for Meregali is the IBJJF Pans, a little over a month away. He'll compete in the heavyweight division, alongside figures such as Leandro Lo, Andre Galvao, Felipe Pena, Jackson Sousa and more.
His calm demeanor and humble attitude shine through when asked what he needs to do to face off with such notable names.
I still have 30 days to work and correct many things. I will try to make the most of those 30 days.Watch 40+ of Nicholas Meregali's matches in the FloGrappling archives!
You may also like:
• The 2016 Brown Belt Of The Year: Nicholas Meregali
• Leandro Lo vs Nicholas Meregali Copa Podio 2016 Middleweight Grand Prix
• WATCH: Meregali Wins Big At 'Oscars for BJJ'