Gabi Pessanha ran through the BJJ STARS 11: Gladiators Grand Prix in São Paulo on Saturday night, defeating longtime rival Yara Soares via footlock in the final to win the heavyweight title, and the $20,000 grand prize.

Pessanha, the favorite in the 8-woman bracket, needed just 43 seconds to defeat Soares in the final. The bout marked her 18th against her rival, Soares, and her first submission victory over her. Her record against Soares is now 14-4.

Pessanha won her first of three bouts via Carina Santi via a 10-0 score, then secured a closer points victory over Melissa Cueto (2-0) before making quick work of the final to collect the title and the $20,000 prize.

Soares had a tough path to the final, winning on advantages over Mika de Lima, then getting a decision nod over Tayane Porfirio.

BJJ STARS 11 also featured several high profile superfights. Jansen Gomes may be the story of the night after his rematch victory over Gustavo Batista. Gomes, the 2023 IBJJF middleweight world champ, outscored Batista, the 2023 medium-heavyweight world champ, via points. Gomes secured the go-ahead points on a takedown which went out of bounds.

Gomes lost to Batista earlier this year in the medium heavyweight final at the 2023 IBJJF Pans. But the newly crowned middleweight world champ looked more confident than ever in his bout against Batista, and squared off with BJJ STARS middleweight champ Mica Galvao after his victory. The two may square off soon at an upcoming edition of BJJ STARS.

Isaque Bahiense backed up his words in a grudge match against Alliance representative Marcus Spirandelli, securing a quick backtake and grinding a choke into place for victory. Spirandelli and his coach Michael Langhi had been jawing with Bahiense on social media in the lead up to the bout, fueling the flames in the rivalry between Alliance and Bahense's team, Dream Art.

Also in the night, Diogo Reis won a no-gi bout against Samuel Nagai via decision with a late near backtake. Uanderson Ferreira earned a close decision victory over Andy Murasaki of Atos. Victor Honorio scored a two-advantage victory over Yatan Bueno. And Piter Frank scored a high-flying sumbmission victory over hometown hero Caio Almeida.