The Source MMA in Amman, Jordan is one of the most respected Brazilian Jiujitsu gyms in the region. In addition to its very active competition team headed by 4 dan BJJ black belt Samy al Jamal, the athletes are always striving to learn and develop all the time.
The Source MMA is hosting a workshop this week with eight time world champion and three time ADCC champion Michelle Nicolini. With seven Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championship gold medals to her name, Michelle Nicolini has carved out a stellar career on the mats to date. Currently one of the most revered and successful competitors in the history of the sport, only the legendary Roger Gracie boasts more world titles at the Black-belt level.
With the ADCC Submission Wrestling Championship title the only major accolade missing from her lengthy list of achievements, she fulfilled a career-long dream when she clinched gold in her division at the 2013 edition of the prestigious event. Not long after, Nicolini was on a plane to Australia — a place she’d call home for the next two months. Possessing some of the purest technique in the game, she based herself out of Melbourne’s Absolute MMA and Sydney’s Jiu Jitsu Kingdom during her stay, where she shared those techniques with the local BJJ fraternity.
Don’t let the petite frame and million-dollar grin fool you; Nicolini is a smiling assassin in a Gi. Move over, Kyra Gracie, BJJ has a new female lead. Nicolini is going to be teaching her best techniques for six days. The seminar is attended by many athletes from all over the country.
Team Source member Rana Qubaaj, winner of double gold at the IBJJF Masters shared her excitement with ArabsMMA:
“It is very exciting to have Michelle Nicolini train with us. She is sharing a lot of nice techniques. And as a girl, it is very empowering to meet and learn from girls who made it to this level. She is a role model to many girls in the sport and I would like to thank Michelle for making the trip all the way to Amman”
Rana played a pivotal role in helping bring Michelle to hold a seminar in Amman.
As for Jordan, the country’s involvement in Brazilian Jiujitsu has been splendid in the last decade, having several home grown talents and black belts who compete internationally and create a profound base of BJJ in the Arab world.
