After an unfortunate injury, two-time IBJJF World Champion Kaynan Duarte has withdrawn from the upcoming IBJJF Absolute Grand Prix. 

The IBJJF announced the news Wednesday, also naming Paulo Merlin as Kaynan's replacement in the event. The Worlds & Pans medalist will take his shot at the $40,000 prize on Sept. 1, streaming exclusively on FloGrappling.

Kaynan most recently main evented Tezos WNO 19 in Austin, TX, where he lost to Nicholas Meregali. Paulo Merlin has had the best year of his black belt career so far with podium finishes in major events, and most recently competed at Worlds. 

The rest of the Grand Prix field features some of the best black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, including the reigning open class champion. The entrants are:

• Victor Hugo
• Nicholas Meregali
• Fellipe Andrew
• Francisco Lo
• Horlando Monteiro
• Gutemberg Pereira
• JG Rocha
• Paulo Merlin

The Grand Prix will be an open weight tournament where the champion earns $40,000 in prize money from the IBJJF. The event will be featured alongside Masters Worlds and the Jiu-Jitsu Con, with all action streamed live on Flo.