Shine Fight Promotions (Shine Fights) has secured the services of another top-level grappler, as they have signed the 2009 Abu Dhabi Combat Club 88-kilogram and Absolute division champion Braulio Estima (0-0) to an exclusive contract in the United States. Other terms of the agreement were not be released. The Brazilian is expected to make his debut in this spring.
Estima is considered one of the world’s very best grapplers. The head instructor and owner of the Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Birmingham , England , Estima is a black belt who currently trains alongside Renzo Gracie.
“Shine Fights is extremely elated to have brought a world-class grappler like Braulio Estima into the fold. ‘Braulio’ is such an amazing grappler. It will be interesting to see how he translates his grappling skills into the MMA world, but I’m glad that Shine will be facilitating his debut,” stated Shine matchmaker Ron Foster. “We believe that he will excel in MMA as he has in the grappling world.”
Estima’s submission competition achievements include winning the CBJJ World Championship in 2004, 2006, and 2009, the Absolute World Cup Championship in 2006, the European CBJJ Absolute Championships in 2006 and 2009, as well as being the ADCC 2007 silver medalist.
At ADCC 2009, Estima won both the under-88 kg and Absolute division championships, defeating DREAM veteran Andre Galvao and Sengoku veteran Xande Ribeiro in the respective finals.
Called “the breakout star” of the 2009 Abu Dhabi Combat Club tournament by Sherdog.com, the 6’3”, 190-pound native of Brazil shocked the grappling community by submitting submission legend Marcelo Garcia, in addition to defeating Galvao and Ribiero on his way to the under-88 kg and Absolute division championships.
Estima is also a multiple-time World, European and Pan-American grappling champion.
An opponent has not yet been determined for Estima, but he is expected to make his debut at Shine Fights III, which is tentatively scheduled for April 2010.
Source: http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/tem ... &zoneid=13