Pablo Popovitch - No-Gi BJJ World Champion

Pablo Popovitch was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 9, 1979. He started his jiu-jitsu training during his early childhood. Pablo Popovitch won various championships and earned a name in the grappling circuit. Now he is running his own academy, Team Popovitch,  along with his father, Jorge Papovitch.

Born into a jiu-jitsu family, Pablo started his jiu-jitsu training at the age of five. His father, Jorge, was heavily involved in and practiced jiu-jitsu for a long time. His aunt was married to Crolin Gracie. So, Jorge enrolled Pablo in the academy at a very early age. 

At the age of 15, Popovitch relocated to Florida with his family. In Florida, Pablo did not continue his BJJ training as he could not find any training partners. But later, Pablo resumed training with Carlson Gracie and his father. 

To improve his BJJ skills, Popovitch joined college wrestling during high school. He wanted to incorporate wrestling into his BJJ game.   

While Pablo was in high school, Jorge opened his own BJJ center in Fort Lauderdale called Team Popovitch. Currently, this academy is being run by both Pablo and Jorge Popovitch.    

Popovitch was runner-up in the 2005, 2007, and 2011 ADCC World Championships. He was also the bronze winner in the 2011 absolute weight division. But his performance in 2011 ADCC World Championship in the middleweight division is when he finally gained recognition in the grappling circuit. Popovitch defeated the ADCC Champion and BJJ World fighter Marcelo Garcia in the finals and became the 2009 ADCC Champion.  

Pablo Popovitch is a four-times World Champion in No-Gi. In 2007 and 2012, he was No-Gi World Champion in his weight division. In 2010, Popovitch was World Champion in both the weight and absolute divisions.      

Popovitch was the NAGA Champion in 2001 and 2007. In the NAGA Super Fight Championship, he was the champion in 2003, two-time champion in 2005, and two-time champion in 2004.  

Popovitch is a No-Gi champion who has also fought and won several No-Gi Pan championships. In 2008, he won the No-Gi Pan Championship in the weight division. In 2012, Popovitch was the Absolute Weight No-Gi Pan Champion. In 2010, Pablo won in both the No-Gi Pan Championship weight and absolute divisions.   

Popovitch also won in the Grappler Quest Championships. He was the Grappler Quest Pro All-Star Champion in 2009 and the Grappler Quest Superfight Champion in 2004 and 2010.   

For his record grappling achievements, Popovitch was inducted into the Grappling Hall of Fame on February 13, 2010, by the North American Grappling Association.

Popovitch received the “BJJ Fighter of the Year Award” from a famous Brazilian jiu-jitsu magazine, the Gracie Mag.   

Popovitch’s mixed martial arts debut was on April 6, 2010. This was his first and last fight in MMA, winning it via submission.

Popovitch faced Don Ortega in the first round of the 2009 ADCC. Popovitch started the match by getting Ortega on the ground by pulling his legs and attempting a takedown. Popovitch then mounted Ortega to keep him from escaping.

On the other hand, Ortega kept his back from touching the ground and prevented Popovitch from scoring any points. Popovitch remained on top for more than 2 minutes until he finally managed to take  Ortega from the back. Popovitch applied a rear naked choke and submitted Ortega within just 3 minutes.   

Popovitch faced Ben Askren in the 2009 ADCC World Championship quarterfinals. This was one of the best matches of Popovitch’s BJJ career. He started the match with a pull guard and grappled one of Askren’s legs with both legs. Askren tried to apply pressure with one leg onto his head. Popovitch countered by grasping Askren’s leg and applying a toe hold. At the end of the fight, Pablo submitted Askren via a toe hold within 45 seconds.    

Popovitch faced Romulo Barral in the 2012 World No-Gi finals. Popovitch started the match by taking the top position. Popovitch tried his best to control Barral’s movements, but Barral managed to resist. Popovitch managed to mount him completely, while Barral applied a full guard.

Popovitch managed to escape from the guard and tried to attack from the side. Barral tried to apply an armbar but failed. Once again, Popovitch tried to grapple his opponent, but Barrel trapped his head between both legs.

Again, Popovitch managed to get free. Again, he went for the side and managed to score three points. Barral escaped but could not secure the top position for himself. Near the end of the match, Barral was on the ground while Popovitch was on top trying to subdue him.

At the end of the fight, Popovitch won the match with a score of 3-0 and became the 2012 No-Gi World Champion.

Pablo Popovitch vs Ben Askren | 2009 ADCC World Championship

Romulo Barral x Pablo Popovitch: 2012 No Gi Worlds

Photo Credit: @therealpablopopovitch