BJJ Stars 17 is right around the corner, and the promotion has finalized a card that blends high-level superfights with a talent-packed lightweight grand prix. Scheduled for this Saturday, September 20th and streaming live on FloGrappling, the event will feature eight athletes battling through the tournament bracket while several marquee names headline in single-match showdowns. Fans will notice that a few names in the grand prix lineup have shifted since the initial announcement, but the field is still packed with talented grapplers getting a major opportunity. With so many big matchups on the card, let’s break down what to expect from BJJ Stars 17.

-70kg No-Gi Grand Prix

The tournament has undergone some changes since the roster was initially announced but it's still full up with elite talent. Black belt Jhonatha Frazão and teen phenom Kalebe Pereira jump in and both get what's the biggest opportunities of their careers to make their name.

They join Meyram Maquine, Ruan Alvarenga, Gabriel Sousa, Lucas Canto, Kleber Barboza, and qualifier winner Julio Arantes. The two big favorites coming in would have to be Meyram Maquine and Gabriel Sousa. Multi-time gi world champ Meyram may lack the no-gi experience of some people in the bracket but his takedowns, back takes, and athleticism make him a factor against anyone. Gabriel Sousa is an ADCC finalist but until recently he had fallen on some hard times, including a first-round exit at last year's ADCC worlds. Then just this month at Polaris, he had maybe the best overall showing with tons of wins and submissions - even against way bigger opponents. He's got great momentum heading into this big tournament.

Ruan Alvarenga definitely deserves some recognition for his experience, and the ADCC veteran can be a danger against anyone. He mainly stays busy on the ADXC circuit. I think that qualifier winner Julio Arantes is also a major dark horse here, mainly due to his dangerous leg locks and good momentum coming in.

The biggest wild card in the mix has to be Kalebe Pereira. The BJJ College blue belt has emerged as one of Manuas & Melqui Galvão's star pupils. He's young, strong as an ox, and very technical. With guys like Mica Galvão and Diogo Reis to learn from, he's also improving at an incredible rate. There are a few guys in this bracket who secretly don't want Kalebe first round.

Super Fights

The biggest super fight on the card is probably Diego Sodré taking on Rerisson Gabriel in a little bit of a revenge match for Diego. He takes the mats looking to avenge his teammate Diogo Reis's controversial loss to Gabriel in the IBJJF Pan finals - a loss that ended Diogo's grand slam campaign.

This is Rerisson's first match in the gi since then and he comes into the match with a lot to prove. After winning Pans, he hasn't actually had another gi match since and didn't do IBJJF Worlds (where we would have seen a lot more about where he stacks up now that people now he is of a certain level). He also bumps up from his prior weight of light-feather to feather for the match.

Sodré is a perennial featherweight contender who had a great season, finishing on the Worlds podium after a highlight reel loop choke in the quarters. He's a new transplant to the BJJ College program and this is one of his first big opportunities to rep the team.

In another big match, Nolan Stuart takes on Rider Zuchi at heavyweight. Rider is a tough, technical black belt but the story here is likely Stuart. He's had a huge breakout season up at super-heavy, making the World finals in June and establishing himself as a top contender at the weight.

The omoplata specialist now drops back down to heavyweight, where his results are historically a little more mixed. If he can manage the weight well, and he seems like a careful guy, then this could end up being a great showcase match for him.

One more match to shout out is Fellipe Andrew taking on Leo Ferreira. Leo is the new top contender at heavyweight after a great 2025 season, finishing with medals at every major event he competed at (including Worlds). Now, he gets the chance to face off Fellipe Andrew - the biggest name he hasn't faced yet. It's a big test for Ferreira and a big opportunity for Fellipe to prove he's still the man in the gi.

Fellipe has won just about everything you can in the gi but he had to miss the 2025 IBJJF season entirely so he needs a good performance here to keep his place in the division. This is a big matchup at heavyweight between two tough Brazilians.

BJJ Stars 17 Card

• -70kg No-Gi Grand Prix
  • Gabriel Sousa
  • Meyram Maquine
  • Ruan Alvarenga
  • Lucas Canto
  • Julio Arantes
  • Kleber Barboza
  • Kalebe Pereira
  • Jhonatha Frazão
• Diego Sodré vs Rerisson Gabriel
• Leo Ferreria vs Fellipe Andrew
• Nolan Stuart vs RIder Zuchi
• Gaius Gregory vs Piter Frank
• Jessica Carolina vs Giovanah Oliveira
• Jose Victor vs Maycon Gabriel