As the IBJJF Worlds 2017 approaches, it has been confirmed that AJ Agazarm will move down to featherweight. He registered in this weight class alongside 23 other male black belts. The five-day IBJJF World Championship takes place in Long Beach and starts on May 31.
AJ Agazarm recently fought in the medium heavyweight division at the Atlanta Open, going against Dillon Danis.
We had the chance to sit down with AJ and talk a bit about his decision to move down to featherweight:
I’ve been super light as of late, so it only made sense to drop categories. I still have some weight to cut, but I’m going to be a different kind of animal at featherweight. There’s no easy road at the Mundials, no matter the category, but I hope my new division is ready because I’m gunning hard for that crown.
AJ also added, “I wish Rafa didn’t retire.”
AJ Agazarm began life in Florida and participated in many different sports as a youngster. He started wrestling in high school, quickly becoming quite successful. In college, AJ discovered Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and he trained at Gracie Barra while continuing his wrestling pursuits.
After earning a blue belt, Agazarm won his first gold medal at the 2007 Pan-American Championships. By 2011, he was a brown belt. AJ moved to California after completing college. In 2013, he was awarded his black belt and won three major championships in the years that followed.
