LUTA Ambassador round-up: January 2012

LUTA’s Ambassadors have had an excellent start to 2012 with several medals won at international competitions. Jiu-Jitsu competitor Lucio ‘Lagarto’ Rodrigues won silver and bronze medals at the IBJJF European Open 2012. The prestigious tournament saw fighters from all over the world travelling to compete in Lisbon, Portugal and Lagarto won silver in the Black Belt Super-Heavyweight Divison, having defeated the powerful Leo Nogueira in the semi final. He was defeated in the final by Bernardo Faria, who also went on to take gold in the Black Belt Absolute Division, in which Lagarto won bronze.

MMA fighter and BJJ Blue Belt Stephen O´Keeffe also competed at the Euros but an unlucky draw saw him competing against last year’s silver medalist in the first round. Stephen didn’t let the defeat get him down and is currently preparing for the MMA event Cage Warriors 45 at the HMV Forum in London on 18 February. It was also announced this week that UFC fighter and LUTA Ambassador John Hathaway will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon in May at UFC on Fox 3 after an extended period out injured.

In Judo, Fergus Dullaghan won two silver medals at the 2012 Commonwealth Judo Championships at the end of January. Having taken silver in the Masters competition, Fergus went on to face the world no. 31, New Zealander Jason Koster in the final of the Seniors competition. Fergus told LUTA he was delighted to prove that “a part-time athlete with serious dedication and an intelligent approach can indeed accomplish what he sets out to achieve”. An impressive accomplishment indeed!

LUTA congratulates its ambassadors for their great results and wishes those who are currently training for future fights the best of luck. We will keep you posted!