Issa Able going to Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi West Coast Trials took place in Santa Cruz, CA on January 24th. Acting as a qualifier for the richest and most prestigious Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu event on the planet, the Abu Dhabi Pro, the West Coast Qualifier featured the best of the best congregating upon the shores of Northern California in the United States.

The winners from the American event will compete against the best grapplers and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes from across the world and for the chance at winning a massive USD$145,000 in cash and prizes at the Abu Dhabi Pro on April 15th to 17th. The 2009 AZ BJJ State Champion, Issa Able (GD Jiu-Jitsu/Nova Uniao), will represent Arizona Combat Sports in Abu Dhabi. Issa had seven matches to win the Blue Belt Light weight, and the Blue Belt Open Class under 161 lbs.

Propelled by the support of the government of Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Pro supported personally by his Highness the SupremePrince and Commander In Chief of the United Arab Emirates National Army, H.H. Sheik Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Winners of the qualifiers will have allairfares,accommodation, and meals paid for and they will also have a chance at the cash and prizes in Abu Dhabi.

Issa Able, who is only 19 years old, was born in Iran, but he has been living in the United States since the age of 11. With only 18 months of training, Issa already has an impressive resume. Since July 2009, besides his AZ State Title, Issa won the 2009 U.S. BJJ Nationals, U.S. No-Gi Nationals, 1st Southwest BJJ Classic, and finished the year winning his first World title at the No-Gi Worlds in Carson, CA, making his instructor, Gustavo Dantas, and his sponsor, “Many Weapons”, very proud. In Abu Dhabi, he will be competing for a chance to win $6000 (Weight class and Open).

Issa’s accomplishment was also accompanied by outstanding performances from other fellow AZ champions.

In the Black Belt Division, Steve Rosenberg went all the way to the finals, but ended up losing by referee’s decision (2 x 2) in a very close match to Marcos Torregrossa.

Even though the 2009 Southwest Classic standout, Christian Broadnax won the Blue/Middle Divsion, he lost in the “Heavy” Open Class over 161 lbs, not being able to qualify to the Pro Tournament, since in the blue belt division, only the winners of the Open “Light” and “Heavy” would go to Abu Dhabi. His brother, also a 2009 Southwest Classic Champion, Christopher Broadnax, lost to his team mate Issa, in the finals of the Blue/Light. Christopher lost his second match in the “Light” Open class.

2009 AZ State Champion, Kristina Barlaan, took 3rd at the Female/Under 139 lbs. Kristina lost by a referee’s decision (4 x 4).

Here are our team’s full results:

Issa Able – 1st place (Blue/Light) and 1st place (Blue/Open under 161 lbs)
Christian Broadnax – 1st place (Blue/Middle)
Steve Rosenberg – 2nd place (Black/Light)
Christopher Broadnax – 2nd place (Blue/Light)
Kristina Barlaan – 3rd place (Female/Under 139 lbs)