The ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) Submission Wrestling World Championship is the Super Bowl of competitive grappling. And this year, Chop MMA is sending our strongest team ever to the ADCC West Coast Trials.
The Road to ADCC
ADCC Trials are the gateway to the World Championships. Athletes must place in the top 3 at their regional trial to earn a spot at Worlds. The competition is fierce — each weight class typically draws 30-50 of the best grapplers in the region.
Our team has been preparing for 6 months with a focused training camp that includes:
- **Double sessions** three days per week (technique in the morning, hard sparring in the evening) - **Video analysis** of every potential opponent's competition footage - **Individualized game plans** tailored to each athlete's strengths - **Strength and conditioning** programmed specifically for grappling performance - **Practice competitions** at NAGA and local events to build tournament experience
Meet the Athletes
We're sending 6 athletes to the trials this year, our largest team ever:
**Marcus 'The Technician' Chen** (Masters division) — Our head coach still competes at the highest level. A former ADCC Trials finalist, Marcus is looking to earn his spot at Worlds in the Masters division.
**James Park** (77kg) — As our competition coach and ADCC medalist, James leads by example. He's competing in the most stacked weight class and has been drilling his signature leg lock sequences daily.
**Alex Torres** (66kg) — A brown belt phenom who's submitted three black belts in competition this year. Alex's speed and scrambling ability make him dangerous for anyone in his bracket.
**Sophia Martinez** (Women's 55kg) — Our first female athlete to qualify for ADCC Trials. Sophia has been on a tear, winning gold at Pan Ams and Worlds in the colored belt divisions.
**Ryan O'Brien** (88kg) — A former wrestler who found BJJ three years ago. Ryan's wrestling base combined with an ever-improving submission game make him a nightmare matchup.
**Tommy Nguyen** (99kg) — The gentle giant of our team. Tommy's pressure passing is virtually unstoppable, and he's been adding deadly submissions from top position.
Training Camp Life
The last 6 months have been intense. Our comp team trains 5-6 days per week, often twice per day. A typical day looks like:
- 7:00 AM: Strength & conditioning - 10:00 AM: Technique session (drilling specific positions and scenarios) - 12:00 PM: Film study and game planning - 5:00 PM: Live training (hard rounds simulating competition)
The commitment these athletes show is extraordinary. They balance jobs, families, and training with a discipline that's truly inspiring.
How You Can Support
We'll be posting updates on our Instagram and YouTube channels throughout the competition. Come out to open mat on Sundays to train with the comp team — they love helping recreational students while sharpening their own skills.
And if you're interested in competing yourself, talk to me or any of our coaches. Everyone starts somewhere, and the Chop MMA competition team is always looking for motivated athletes who want to test themselves.
Let's go get those medals.