High no-gi opponents Andy Varela and Jozef Chen will conflict in a 170-pound title match at Most important Character Jiu-Jitsu 4.
An intriguing matchup between two of the world’s prime 170-pound no-gi opponents is slated for the primary occasion of Most important Character Jiu-Jitsu 4.
On Sunday, June 23, in Austin, Texas, ADCC veteran Andy Varela will tackle ADCC Trials winner Jozef Chen for the MCJJ 170-pound title. The promotion introduced the match on Instagram.
Famend for his explosive takedowns, lightning-fast back-takes, and harmful entrance headlock recreation, tenth Planet’s Varela has established himself as one of many sport’s most entertaining athletes.
After making a reputation for himself on the now-defunct Submission Underground, Varela gained notoriety in 2022 with a second-place displaying on the ADCC West Coast Trials. In that run, he took out prime names equivalent to Magid Hage, EBI champion Alan Sanchez, and fellow tenth Planet standout PJ Barch earlier than falling to William Tackett within the closing.
That effort would earn him an invitation to the 2022 ADCC World Championships the place he misplaced to Roberto Jimenez within the 77kg division and Nick Rodriguez within the absolute.
Since then, he has continued to be a mainstay on the elite no-gi scene, choosing up notable victories over Jay Rodriguez, Oliver Taza, and Kyle Chambers.
Varela will come into this contest following a third-place end on the 2024 ADCC West Coast Trials.
For his half, Chen is broadly considered one of the crucial promising younger abilities in all of jiu-jitsu.Â
The 19-year-old earned bronze on the 2022 ADCC Asia and Oceania Trials, however actually made a reputation for himself on the 2023 ADCC Asia and Oceania Trials the place he gained gold in one of the crucial spectacular match runs in latest reminiscence. Chen took out Mateusz Szczecinski, present IBJJF no-gi world champion Tommy Langaker, and Oliver Taza – all three ADCC veterans – to earn his spot on the ADCC World Championships.
He most lately competed at Polaris 27, going 1-1 within the 77kg grand prix.
Whereas Varela is thought for his high-flying assaults and unimaginable scrambling capacity, Chen is a grasp technician. He’s an elite leg-locker, but when his ADCC Trials efficiency is any indication, he’s an equally proficient guard passer. That ability set ought to make for an fascinating conflict with Varela.
