(Pablo is built like a fighter — a PRIDE fighter)

If you’ve followed the grappling and jiu-jitsu circuits for the past decade, chances are you’ve heard the name Pablo Popovitch.

If not, you’re likely familiar with some of the recognizable names the 30-year-old Brazilian, who is a third degree black belt under the Machado brothers, has defeated on the mats like Marcelo Garcia, Gregor Gracie, Ben Askren, Saulo Ribeiro, Roan Carneiro, Renzo Gracie, Marcus Avellan, Jake Shields, Diego Sanchez, Kenny Florian, Antonio McKee and Hermes Franca.


Set to make his heavily anticipated MMA debut June 4 against a yet-to-be-named opponent at Rumble at the Rock’s "Rock and Rumble 3," Popovitch  is the latest grappling superstar to make the jump to MMA and is said to be working vigilantly to ensure that the gap between his level of stand-up and ground game is as narrow as possible for his premier in the cage.

The 2009 ADCC 170-pound champ, Popovitch, whose style and skill set is comparable to that of Demian Maia‘s, and resembles a smaller Vitor Belfort, will compete as a welterweight in the cage as well.

Also on the card will be a lightweight title bout featuring Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett and a yet-to-be-decided opponent.

According to a press release, the event will have 11 main card fights featuring Jessica Aguillar, Ailton Barbosa, Effrain Ruiz, Caleb Archer, Rafael Dias, Hayder Hassan, James Winn and UFC vet Crafton Wallace.