With the IBJJF European Championships in full swing, we are counting down the days until the black belts finally begin their 2025 seasons. There's a lot of potential contenders for this year's open classes - which any adult black belt can register for - and we break down some of the biggest contenders to enter and potentially win the absolute here in Lisbon.

The open class registration happens the few days before the divisional brackets begin and must be done by that black belt in person at the venue. We won't know until then who actually will be in the open class, but we still can make some guesses based on past entries. Open class brackets will be posted at 5pm local time (11am US central time), and we will post them here on FloGrappling soon after.

On the men's side, last year's Euros open class champion was Gutemberg Pereira and the eventual World open class champion was Erich Munis. Neither will be in the bracket, and there are many hungry black belt competitors who could claim their first major championship open class. On the women's side, Gabi Pessanha is at over 150 victories in a row and has evolved into the most dominant force in women's jiu-jitsu history.

For anyone to unseat her would become one of the biggest upsets of all-time. We are going to list a few other names besides Gabi, but rest assured that she is expected to enter the open and likely continue this unprecedented dominance streak. Her combination of technique, size, power, and tactical prowess are unmatched - not just now, but also historically throughout women's grappling.

Early Men's Absolute Contenders

Marcus Scooby

I would consider Marcus Scooby of Alliance to be the likely favorite for gold, given that he is the favorite to win the ultra-heavy division. He is big, mobile, and technical, and has all the tools you'd want out of an elite ultra-heavy. He's right on the edge of becoming truly elite at the black belt level and a double gold performance here would go a long way to proving that he's rounded that corner. Look out for his Scooby sweep, a hiza garuma/flower sweep variation that he hits from standing, pulling as he kicks out the knee to reverse his way to top position (even potentially the mount).

Diego Pato

Call me crazy but Pato is a contender here, if the featherweight chooses to enter. He's small but he's vicious and fearless, with a history of entering open classes before. He entered at Pans last year but lost to Scooby in the quarters. He only continues to improve and his combination of lapel guard, leg locks, and back takes are hard for anyone to deal with.

Rider Zuchi

Rider is as tough as they come and the powerful black belt is someone to watch when the open class is coming together. He's been on a solid trajectory up and I think has the physical tools to deal with anyone he stands across from.

Anderson Munis

Anderson finally reached the mountaintop in 2024, winning the super-heavy class when he submitted his brother in a very surprising result. 

Pedro Lucas

I think Pedro could win a black belt major open class because he's done it before, pretty simple. He was very impressive in his run at Brasileiros last year, taking the open class in a breakout performance for him. I do think the field here is tougher, so for him to repeat the feat in Lisbon will prove more difficult.

Early Women's Absolute Contenders

Gabi Pessanha

Like we talked about before, any smart money would be on Gabi Pessanha to continue her dominance here. Still, one day she will lose. She takes on the best in the world so often that eventually another contender will rise, and that moment will be enormous. Could it be here in 2025? We'll see.

Yara Soares

Yara has been the silver medalist to Gabi's shining gold standard, just behind her in both the weight and the open class at so many tournaments (including last year's Mundials). She's got an elite guard game, her top pressure is very good, and she's very physically prepared. Against nearly everyone on Earth, she is a favorite to win using her lengthy open guard. Against Gabi, she typically has leg lock issues (which may be related to her usually-heavily taped ankles).

Melissa Stricker

Melissa Stricker Cueto is a very accomplished black belt competitor who always brings a strong pace and a lot of physicality to the mats with her porrada-first style. She's a 2-time World Champion who likes to work from top and make the fight as grindy and gritty as possible. She's a serious contender to make the podium, even the finals.

Giovanna Jara

Giovanna has been a rising star in jiu-jitsu who just recently returned in 2024 after having her first child. She was very impressive through her colored belt campaigns and has a mix of physical prowess and technical jiu-jitsu that will quickly bring her back to the top of the competition world. She could make a big statement with an open class podium finish this weekend. If she's being successful, that is usually by finding her way to the back with a speed that most grapplers her size have trouble matching.

Aurelie Le Vern

Aurelie made her big breakout moment happen in the gi when she won Euros last year in her home country of France, now she makes her way to Lisbon to repeat that success - and even potentially build on it. At No-Gi Euros, she won double gold and looked incredible. The European continent has proven to be a boost for Aurelie's success, could that magic make its way into the absolute here? She has a very well-rounded game but her classic closed guard is a position to watch in this tournament.