Irvine, CA – Alliance brown belt ‘Cobrinha Jr.” Kennedy Maciel won the brown belt light featherweight division at the 2018 IBJJF Pans in thrilling fashion today. 

Maciel found himself down on points 6-2 and in peril of being submitted in his quarterfinal match with Gabriel Sousa of ZR Team, but escaped and put his opponent to sleep with a choke from the back in the most exciting and impressive comeback of the day. 

A semifinal win over Malachi Edmond of Team Lloyd Irvin put Maciel alongside his teammate Vagner Reis in the final. They closed out, with Maciel taking gold. 

"I told myself I was going to make my worst day my best day ever. I looked at my dad, I don't know if I can do it. If the man himself tells me I can do it, I can do it,” said Kennedy. 

Maciel was purple belt champion at the 2017 Pans as a light-featherweight, making this his second Pan title in a row. 

WATCH:

Opening round: Kennedy Maciel vs Clayton Carpenter

Quarter final: Kennedy Maciel vs Gabriel Souza

Semi final: Kennedy Maciel vs Malachi Edmond