IBJJF No-Gi Worlds Preview

Men's Rooster

Bracket

A lot of the names from the last few NGW are all in for this bracket, including defending two-time champion Everton. He has looked basically unstoppable at IBJJF No-Gi rooster, but stumbled earlier this year at UFC BJJ when he got heel hooked - which may be a plan some here try to replicate. Lucas Castro, Riki Yoshinaga, and Chris Tran have all medaled here before and will be factors looking to finally break through for gold. Bebeto is a big X-factor, as a gi specialist who could beat anyone here. Big darkhorse energy from Shay Montague, who just won No-Gi Euros and is freshly back from an ACL injury. Could he become Scotland's first black belt world champion? He's likely got Riki and then the winner of Tran/Bebeto in the semifinal.

Favorites

• #1 Everton Teixeira
• #3 Lucas Castro
• Bebeto Oliveira

Dark Horses

• #4 Chris Tran
• #5 Shay Montague
• #6 Riki Yoshinaga

Landmines

• #8 Nobuhiro Sawada
• #9 John Stapleton
• #13 Relter Lima
• #16 Denis Beenen
• Coco Izutsu

Men's Light-Feather

Bracket

The story here all season has been the success of Vinicius Inacio of Atos, the rookie black belt who won Pans and Euros with key victories against Junny Ocasio. Junny is a 2-time World Champion known for his leg locks, but he has also shown he can get it done in a variety of ways. They are the top two seeds and likely favorites for the finals but that's no guarantee. Marcos Gomes of Atos was silver here last year and deserves a lot of credit in this bracket as someone who can win from the three seed.

Favorites

• #3 Vinicius Inacio
• #6 Junny Ocasio

Dark Horses

• #8 Marcos Gomes

Landmines

• #14 Roiter Limra
• Estevan Martinez
• Kleber Barboza

Men's Feather

Bracket

A few different names here - and I think the one I'm most interested in watching coming in is Marco Mendes. He has been slowly rising these last few years at black belt and now he's earned the right to be among the favorites here - but Ash and Gianni have both shown the ability to be their best under IBJJF rules. Gianni especially has been stellar, winning multiple world titles while developing from his traditional gi roots. Watch out for his nasty arm triangle series. I think there's big upset potential from Steven Gomez from AOJ out of the 9-seed, he could have Ash Williams in the quarters.

• Favorites
  • #18 Marco Mendes
  • #14 Gianni Grippo
  • #16 Ash Williams

• Dark Horses

  • Ismael Lima
  • #20 Cameron Mellot

• Landmines

  • Steven Gomez
  • Kamil Wilk
  • Emilio Hernandez
  • Sebastian Serpa

Men's Light

Bracket

This is one of those weights where we could see a rematch from last year's finals, with Cole Abate and Julian Espinosa both back and up from featherweight. Cole is fresh off a big win at The Crown - which is very impressive but also raises questions about if he's been focusing on the gi coming in. Either way, he's still a very talented competitor with a track record of success and the clear favorite in any match here. Julian up at light is probably better off, with some of the most dynamic takedowns and submissions in grappling. Daniel Sathler and Yigit Hanay both have great days to the semifinals here and will be very game in any match they get, especially Sathler given his electric style. There's also a healthy class of guys in the landmine class, any of whom on a good day could be on the podium.

• Favorites
  • #6 at 145lbs Cole Abate
  • #17 at 155lbs Julian Espinosa

• Dark Horses

  • Daniel Sathler
  • Yigit Hanay

• Landmines

  • Joao Assonitis
  • David Stoilescu
  • Danilo Moreira
  • Felipe Porto
  • Miguel Campos

Men's Middle

Bracket

This has to be one of the best weights of the weekend in terms of both talent and excitement potential. The bracket is full of really fun matchups, and the largest for adult black belt. I think the early favorites coming in are Taza and Fabyury but a lot of guys are going to think they can win this - and they're probably all right. Taza has early ones against Natan and Tarik before he's even in the semifinals. Fabyury will likely have either Mike Perez or Fabio Caloi in his quarterfinal. Max Hanson is also an unexpected addition here but he's shown plenty of times he can move up in weight effectively.

• Favorites
  • #15 at 185lbs Oliver Taza
  • #17 Fabyury Khrysthyan

• Dark Horses

  • Michael Perez
  • Natan Chueng
  • Arley Pacheco
  • Tarik Hopstock
  • #18 at 155lbs Max Hanson
  • PO LeClerc

• Landmines

  • Fabio Caloi
  • Jon Satava
  • Johnny Tama
  • Benji Silva
  • CJ Murdock

Men's Medium-Heavy

Bracket

The story this year for IBJJF medium-heavy has been Pawel, who won No-Gi Pans and double golded at No-Gi Euros. 'The Polish Reaper' has earned a reputation as a rookie black belt for his unpassable guard and devastating leg locks. Now he gets the chance to win his first world title as a black belt but it's no easy path. Atos World Champ Wallisson is back to defend his title from 2024, David Garmo has won World silver before (and is a potential quarter for Pawel), and Unity's Sebastian Rodriguez has won this tournament before as well.

• Favorites
  • #12 Pawel Jaworski
  • #13 Wallisson Souza
  • Sebastian Rodriguez

• Dark Horses

  • #20 David Garmo
  • Angelo Claiborne
  • Felipe Cesar Silva

• Landmines

  • Logan Smith
  • Clay Mayfield
  • Rafael Paganini
  • Gabriel Brod

Men's Heavy

Bracket

This division feels wide open and is probably my favorite men's bracket of the weekend. Faris Benlamkadem has been steadily climbing the ranks after taking a technical gold medal home from 2024 NGW but now he looks to win his title on the podium here. Just to make the podium he could have Luccas Lira, one of the division's smoothest technicians. Dante Leon enters as the pound-for-pound threat of the bracket — a 2-time IBJJF world champ with the kind of explosive power and world class techique that has shown time and again he can beat anyone. Watch out for whoever wins a possible Sean Yadimarco/Jose Jurema match to be a real test for Leon in the quarter. Javier Barter is the top seed and aims to become the first Panamanian world champion at IBJJF black belt. He will have Charles Negromonte on his side, another great grappler from Los Banditos.

• Favorites
  • #15 Faris Benlamkadem
  • #5 P4P Dante Leon
  • #14 Luccas Lira

• Dark Horses

  • Sean Yadimarco
  • Charles Negromonte
  • #16 Javier Barter
  • #18 Jose Jurema

• Landmines

  • Calon Sabino
  • Dory Aoun
  • Manuel Pilato
  • Anthony Robinson
  • London Horn
  • Maxim Cote
  • Lucas Gualberto

Men's Super-Heavy

Bracket

Super-heavy is lighter on numbers but not on danger. Elder Cruz headlines as the clear favorite, combining relentless pace with world-class takedowns that can overwhelm opponents but his draw did him no favors as he has ADCC Trials champion Nico Maglicic. That will be a classic top player/guard player clash and the winner is the favorite on that side. On the other half of the bracket, Jean Maltese and Fellipe Trovo are both experienced and have shown they can get it done in major IBJJF competition. The bracket may ultimately hinge on who survives the early qualifier rounds, where guys like Braz, Windson, and Norat are fully capable of knocking out a top seed.

• Favorites
  • #8 Elder Cruz

• Dark Horses

  • Jean Maltese
  • #17 Nico Maglicic
  • Fellipe Trovo

• Landmines

  • Vinicius Lessa
  • Windson Torres
  • Eli Braz
  • João Costa
  • #19 Lucas Norat

Men's Ultra-Heavy

Bracket

Roosevelt Sousa sits atop the division and is already into the semifinals by virtue of seeding. Helder Jose and Heikki Jussila are the most credible threats to his throne - Jose with his crisp wrestling and Jussila with a surprisingly dynamic game for his size. Helder and Roosevelt had a tough match at Pans so a rematch could be one to watch out for. Vinny Magalhaes is in this year as well and draws InFight ankle locker Anderson Kauan first up.

• Favorites
  • #8 Roosevelt Sousa

• Dark Horses

  • #10 Helder Jose
  • Heikki Jussila

• Landmines

  • Anderson Kauan
  • Vinny Magalhaes

Women's Rooster

Bracket

A small but stacked bracket with half of the top-ten in attendance. Thais Loureiro enters as the favorite thanks to her sharp technique and reliable pace, while Mariana Rolszt has been one of the most polished technicians at the lightest women’s weight for the past few seasons. Lavinia Barbosa and Faye Cherrier are both very tough contenders here and could absolutely disrupt the bracket.

• Favorites
  • #2 Thais Loureiro
  • #3 Mariana Rolszt

• Dark Horses

  • #4 Lavinia Barbosa
  • #7 Faye Cherrier

• Landmines

  • #9 Mara Kelly
  • #12 Ashleigh Reyes
  • Gabby Etzel

Women's Light-Feather

Bracket

This weight class is one of the most compelling on the women’s side. Mia and Ashlee Funegra headline, and immediately become the big story here. Mia won gi Worlds after just a few days as a black belt and now they are both here together with a chance for their first IBJJF major closeout. Brenda Larissa and Jessie Crane round out the favorites with championship-caliber experience and the kind of skills that win in tough matches. The semifinals could be Ashlee/Brenda and Mia/Jessie. The dark horse story is Barbara Souza, who has been on a breakout run all year.

• Favorites
  • #12 Mia Funegra
  • #13 Ashlee Funegra
  • Brenda Larissa
  • #8 Jessie Crane

• Dark Horses

  • #13 at 105lbs Barbara Souza

• Landmines

  • #14 at 105lbs Yasmyn Castro
  • Josefine Modig

Women's Feather

Bracket

Adele Fornarino entered this tournament with the message that no one could hide now and she's got a very worthy challengers in her way to gold. Adele stormed to the top of the women's grappling world by winning double gold at ADCC Worlds - could she enter the absolute here and become the first woman to win both? What's a match with her and Gabi look like? Before any of that, though, she likely will have a tough one here in Ana Mayordomo. Ana has been on fire in 2025, with golds at No-Gi Pans, No-Gi Euros, East Coast Trials, and Euro Trials. This would be the biggest victory of her career yet - could it be her time already? Both are well-seasoned and rarely make mistakes. Thaynara Victoria is the real threat from the bottom half of the bracket — well-rounded, athletic, and capable of big momentum swings. She already scored a monumental win earlier this year beating Mayssa, can she do it again here against Adele? A dangerous set of landmines, including Nicholson and Campos, ensures that none of the favorites will get a smooth first few rounds.

• Favorites
  • #2 Adele Fornarino
  • #6 Ana Mayordomo

• Dark Horses

  • #17 Thaynara Victoria

• Landmines

  • Emily Nicholson
  • #18 Beatriz Campos
  • Maria Luiza
  • Mona Bailey
  • Martina Zola

Women's Light

Bracket

One of the tournament’s most compelling divisions. Brianna Ste-Marie continues to impress under every rule set and is back for a shot at another world title. Margot Ciccarelli’s technical nuance and focus make her a perennial contender, and she's had a great 2025 in no-gi. Mo Black sits right alongside them as a proven contender who is also fresh off of East Coast Trials gold. Those dark horses like Amanda Bruse, Zara di Tofano, and Caroline Brunacio are all very proven as well and I almost expanded the favorites section - but I think this grouping is most fair. There is no easy draw here, but I do think two-seed Bruse and five-seed Black have especially demanding paths to gold.

• Favorites
  • #2 Brianna Ste-Marie
  • #4 Margot Ciccarelli
  • #3 Mo Black

• Dark Horses

  • #10 Amanda Bruse
  • #9 Zara di Tofano
  • #7 Caroline Brunacio

• Landmines

  • Lillian Marchand
  • #16 Fiona Mortell
  • Natasha Druggan
  • #13 Jaine Fragoso

Women's Middle

Bracket

Elisabeth Clay returns as the tournament favorite, bringing one of the most feared leg lock and front headlock arsenals in the sport - but Injana Goodman has been steadily improving and may be the most balanced all-around grappler in the division. Julia Boscher headlines the dark horse pack - a gritty, physical competitor who tends to perform well in chaotic matches - while Nadia Frankland brings a more nuanced and patient style. With dangerous early-round names like Cristo, Sula, and Vieira, this bracket could get unpredictable very quickly.

• Favorites
  • #6 Elisabeth Clay
  • #7 Injana Goodman

• Dark Horses

  • #9 Nadia Frankland
  • #18 Julia Boscher

• Landmines

  • Fernanda Cristo
  • Vitoria Vieira
  • #17 Sula-Mae Loewenthal
  • #13 Beatrice Jin

Women's Medium-Heavy

Bracket

All eyes are on Helena Crevar, who looks poised to secure her first black belt world title after a crazy year in both gi and no-gi. She’s the most complete athlete in the bracket, but the weight class has enough parity to keep things interesting. Salla Simola and Ane Svendsen make up a dangerous dark horse duo — each durable, technical, and more than capable of dragging things into deep water. Helena and Salla are a likely quarterfinal, with Ane on the other side.

• Favorites
  • #1 Helena Crevar

• Dark Horses

  • #3 Salla Simola
  • #7 Ane Svendsen

• Landmines

  • #14 Jessika Torttila
  • Giovanna Carniero
  • Aghata Fernandes

Women's Heavy

Bracket

Can Cassia do it? She is up all the way at heavy after winning feather last year, seeking big and bold challenges. She starts off against Maria Malyjasiak, a world medalist, so no easy start there. The 1-seed is Nia Blackman who lost first round here last year but has turned things around in the 2025 season. Erin Harpe is a physical, powerful black belt who is back this year after a few seasons away and is a welcome addition to the field.

• Favorites
  • #18 Maria Malyjasiak
  • #14 Nia Blackman

• Dark Horses

  • #10 P4P Cassia Moura
  • #12 Erin Harpe

• Landmines

  • Leticia Teixeira
  • Caitlin Huggins

Women's Super-Heavy

Bracket

Can anyone push Gabi Pessanha? There's actually a few options here. Maia Matalon for example has pretty extensive leg lock experience, though her history of knee injuries also could be a liability against the larger Pessanha. Mayara Moreira is back after having to withdraw from Worlds last year after finding out week of that she was expecting a child. She could finally get the match we missed last year against Gabi if they both make the finals.

• Favorites
  • #3 Gabi Pessanha

• Dark Horses

  • #13 Maia Matalon
  • #9 Mayara Moreira

• Landmines

  • Raniele Alencar
  • #15 Lauren Rojas