By BJJ Heroes on December 28th, 2010

Pablo Popovitch

Pablo Popovitch is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt and one of the most successful submission wrestlers in the world. An ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) Champion in 2009, Popovitch is also a World Nogi Champion (2010) and though mostly regarded as a Nogi orientated competitor, Pablo has also medalled with the gi as his win at the Copa America (CBJJE) in 2010 would attest. Pablo Popovitch also runs a successful career as a coach with several black belts under him and a wide selection of awards. In 2010 he was awarded the “BJJ Fighter of the Year Award” by Gracie Mag – A magazine specialized in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Pablo Popovitch in Detail

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Crolin Gracie > Jorge Popovitch > Pablo Popovitch

Main Titles:

ADCC Champion (2009)
3x World Nogi Champion (2010, 2007, 2012)
3x Pan American Nogi Champion (2010 weight and absolute, 2008)
Grapplers Quest Pro Allstar Champion (2009)
2x NAGA Champion (2007, 2001 advanced)
5x NAGA Superfight Champion (2x 2005, 2x 2004, 2003)
2x Grapplers Quest Superfight Champion (2010, 2004)
Copa America Champion (2010 absolute – CBJJE)

Weight Division: Medio (82kg-181lbs)

Favourite Technique: Double Leg Takedown, Guard Pass

Team/Association: Team Popovitch/ The Avengers

Pablo Popovitch Biography

Pablo Popovitch was born on September 9, 1979 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Popovitch’s were very involved with Jiu Jitsu, Pablo’s father, Jorge Popovitch, had been practicing Jiu Jitsu for a long time, while his aunt was married to Crolin Gracie. With such tight connections, it didn’t come as a surprise that Pablo would start practicing at the age of 5, his father enlisted him in the academy that would later become Gracie Barra in Barra da Tijuca, Brazil, where Jean Jacques Machado and Carlos “Soneca” Machado were the coaches.

In 1995 when Pablo Popovitch was 15 years old, the Popovitch family moved to Florida. He didn’t have many experienced training partners (mainly his dad and Carlson Gracie on occasion) trained Jiu Jitsu. When attending high school in Florida, Pablo was introduced to college wrestling a style he brought to his BJJ game with excellence. It was also around the same time that Pablo’s father Jorge Popovitch opened the BJJ Centre in Fort Lauderdale, an academy that still runs today, led by father and son.

Pablo Popovitch vs. Jo Jo Guarin