While most of the grappling world focused on this weekend’s superfights, Joao Assis took the 2010 Grapplers Quest at UFC Fan Expo Vegas Pro Absolute Championship. He took home a cool $1,000 for his efforts.
In the semifinals, Assis defeated multiple-time Grapplers Quest champion Bill Cooper. In the finals, he met MMA and grappling’s ultimate iron man, Jeff Monson, and he was able to score a victory.
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt has won several respectable grappling competitions. In 2009, he won the IBJJF Panamerican championships, a NAGA event and a Grappler Quest event. He also won the IBJJF World Championships in 2007 and the IBJJF No-Gi World Championships in 2008.
In addition to grappling, Assis has also fought professionally as an MMA fighter. He began his career by going 5-1, but then lost four-straight fights including a loss to UFC veteran Luis Arthur Cane. He has not competed in MMA since Sept. 2009.