The toughest gi tournament of the year, the ultimate proving ground for traditional jiu-jitsu, is happening in just a few days as the IBJJF World Championships begins next week. Of course the black belts take center stage but one of the best parts of the event is watching the up-and-coming colored belts go to war to make their name. This year's purple belt class has some real gems worth paying attention to.

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The purple belt level is often the class where you can really start to separate the good from the great and the great from the future greats. You have a mix of the juvenile blue belts and adult blue belts, so many athletes come into these years with lots of momentum behind them. Who will continue things?

For each of the athletes we focus on, we are going to give a stylistic comparison so fans can better understand how these up-and-coming stars fight. These comparisons are not career predictions or saying that one athlete will do what another did, just that their styles of jiu-jitsu have something in common.

The Biggest Story

I think a really fun rivalry has developed at purple belt lightweight between Nikolett Kis and Eliza Nascimento, who keep splitting matches at major tournaments this year. At Euros, it was Eliza winning by decision in the finals of their weight before Nikolett won the open and submitted Eliza in the semifinals. They met again at Pans, this time splitting things the other way with Nikolett winning the weight and Eliza in the open. They are 2-2 this year and all of their matches have been technical and very interesting. Nikolett, of Hungary, won double gold at Brasileiros and would be a much bigger favorite for double gold at Worlds if she didn't have the Brazilian Nascimento in her way. Don't miss their potential meeting - or meetings - in the Pyramid.

Athletes To Watch

Jeferson Tijolo

Jefferson Tijolo has become the man at purple belt, winning double gold at both Pans and Brasileiros as a heavyweight - and winning the open class at Euros to start the year. In fact, his only loss was a very close decision in the finals of his division at Euros, which he has since avenged. I really like his style, it's very exciting to watch. He brings big takedowns, marked by aggressive judo and a very powerful frame. Even though he isn't the same size, I think his style is really comparable to Mahamad Aly, who brought the same excitement to the takedown game.

Stylistic Comp - Mahamad Aly

Emily Leyva

Emily is the most exciting purple belt in the field, win or lose, and if you only get the time to watch one person at this rank then you won't be disappointed making it her. She is a super aggressive guard player who focuses on chaining submissions and has had some brutal ones this year, including a dramatic triangle arm lock at Euros. Emily has taken silver at Worlds in both her blue belt campaigns but this year she has gotten those wins back against both girls who beat her in those finals - is this finally her year?

Stylistic Comp - Adele Fornarino

Bernardo Gatti

Bernardo has become one of the guys to watch by being the man at what is probably the deepest purple belt division this year. Purple belt male lightweight has been a meat grinder all year with a ton of quality guys on the come up - but Bernardo has stayed on top with golds at Brasileiros and Pans. He won blue belt worlds last year and has translated really well up a level. His style is very old school, he uses the closed guard and knee shield very well, pressures in for his passing on top, and has a very impressive armbar. For a stylistic comp, there's a little Xande Ribeiro in there. I really do think purple lightweight men's is the deepest weight in the rank - he is joined by Dominic Manno, Rafael Hipolito, Tarcisio Damasceno, Enzo Yamasaki, Steffano Cardoso, and more.

Stylistic Comp - Xande Ribeiro

Hazel Butcher-Salazar

Hazel Butcher-Salazar is Alliance's secret weapon and a genuine contender for double gold at purple belt. She really popped at Pans, where she took double gold with a really powerful and pressure-filled top game. She is coming off of a Grand Slam run in 2024 that finished with double gold at juvenile 2 blue belt - always a sure sign of a new prospect. Since then she has had no problems adjusting up to the adult level and has often been the more powerful athlete on the mat.

Stylistic Comp - Ana Carolina Vieira

Grand Slam Watch

The only purple belts to have won Euros, Pans, and Brasileiros in 2025 are Emily Leyva and Jeferson Tijolo.

How To Watch IBJJF Worlds 2025

Every match of the 2025 IBJJF Worlds will be streamed live on FloGrappling and the FloSports App.

Archives of each match, highlights, news and more will be available on FloWrestling for all FloSports & FloGrappling subscribers.

Have You Heard Of The IBJJF Grand Slam?

The IBJJF Grand Slam is a collection of four major gi tournaments throughout the season. 

Here’s the schedule for those events:

• The European Championships – Jan. 17-25
• The Pan Championships – March 19-23
• The Brazilian National Championship – April 26-May 4
• The World Championships – May 28-June 2

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