KASAI Elite Grappling Championships (KASAI) today confirms Vagner Rocha and PJ Barch as the fourth and fifth names to compete in ‘KASAI Pro 3’s’ World Welterweight Championship tournament on Saturday, August 18.

Rocha is a Combat Jiu-Jitsu lightweight champion and a three-time ADCC trials winner. A Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Pablo Popovich, Rocha now runs his academy – Vagner Rocha Martial Arts – and is also a world-class mixed martial artist, having competed for the UFC, Strikeforce and Bellator.

Vagner Rocha vs AJ Agazarm at ADCC Trials

“I’d like to thank KASAI and all the fans who called for me for to receive this opportunity,” said Rocha. “I’ve long claimed to be the best grappler on the planet at 170lbs and I will prove this on August 18 when I become the first KASAI World Welterweight Champion.”

Barch is a black-belt under KASAI alumnus Richie “Boogeyman” Martinez at 10th Planet San Diego Jiu-Jitsu. An explosive athlete who started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a Division I collegiate wrestler, he most notably won the Onnit Invitational 3 tournament at 170lbs.

“Vagner and PJ are excellent additions to our upcoming card,” said Rolles Gracie, KASAI President. “Vagner is an accomplished fighter in all facets of martial arts, while PJ is an exciting up-and-comer who is hungry to prove himself. Both men and their respective backgrounds give fans another reason to tune into this tremendous event.”

Other names competing in KASAI’s eight-man no-gi tournament at 170lbs (77.1kg) include KASAI World Lightweight Champion Renato Canuto, Bellator world title challenger Marcin Held, and KASAI Pro Qualifier winner Matheus Lutes. The event will also feature a superfight between leg-lock specialist Craig Jones and the ever-dangerous heel-hook maestro Rousimar Palhares.

Tickets for the ‘KASAI Pro 3’ live event are on sale now. You can also watch Live or On Demand on FloGrappling.