Roman, a bodybuilder who competes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, delivered a remarkable performance at the IBJJF No-Gi World Championships. He ended up advancing all the way to the finals in the adult brown belt ultra-heavy division before falling just short of the title.
Despite being known primarily as a bodybuilder, Roman’s technical skills and strategic approach nearly earned him one of jiu-jitsu’s most prestigious titles. Competing at 230 pounds in the ultra-heavy division, he consistently found himself at a size disadvantage, facing opponents who outweighed him by 20-40 pounds.
“I’m generally one of the smaller guys whenever I do ultra heavy,” Roman explained while breaking down his tournament run in a recent YouTube video. His first opponent was a European double gold medalist from Ottos, and weighed approximately 250 pounds and had recently won gold at Worlds in the gi division.
Roman’s preparation proved crucial throughout the tournament. He studied match footage of each opponent, identifying their tendencies and finishing sequences. This preparation paid dividends in his opening match when his opponent attempted a signature ankle lock attack. “I actually knew this was coming and I was prepared for this,” Roman noted, successfully defending the submission before countering with an inside heel hook for the victory.
His second match showcased his ability to adapt his game plan based on opponent analysis. Recognizing that his opponent preferred to pressure through guard rather than attempt dynamic passing, Roman set up upper body attacks to create openings for leg entanglements, ultimately securing a triangle submission in under a minute.
The semifinal presented Roman’s toughest challenge: Mark McQueen. He is a recent ADCC competitor and IPF world champion powerlifter. “Mark is arguably maybe the strongest human I’ve ever grappled,” Roman admitted.
Despite facing a 270-pound elite athlete, Roman executed a brilliant game plan, using leg attacks to create scrambles that led to back control and a 6-0 lead. Though he eventually allowed McQueen to pass his guard, Roman’s tactical standing in the final minutes secured a 6-3 victory.
Physical exhaustion became Roman’s greatest enemy heading into the finals. With only ten minutes to recover between matches, he faced longtime rival Nick Hartman completely drained. “This big fat idiot right here is completely physically destroyed,” Roman candidly assessed his condition.
The finals proved anticlimactic as fatigue finally caught up with him. Hartman secured an ankle lock, and in Roman’s exhausted state, he made a critical error by throwing his leg over, increasing the pressure. Unable to properly defend the submission, Roman was forced to tap, settling for second place.
Roman’s performance challenges stereotypes about bodybuilders in competitive jiu-jitsu. His technical understanding, strategic preparation, and mental fortitude carried him further than physical attributes alone ever could. His near-victory at one of the sport’s highest levels proves that with proper technique and game planning, athletes from non-traditional backgrounds can compete with elite grapplers.
While the silver medal stung in the moment, Roman’s tournament shows the effectiveness of systematic preparation and adaptability in high-level competition.