With 2025 coming to a close, it's time to reflect on one of the biggest years in grappling history. 

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Adele Fornarino

The Daddy From Down Under had another good year following her big breakout 2024, winning her first black belt World Championship in December, becoming the first Australian to accomplish the feat at black belt adult (fellow Australian Nico Maglicic joined her as a World Champion within the hour). Adele was also won big super fights at WNO & GrappleFest, and was busy winning double gold at IBJJF London Open & Pan Pacs.

Elisabeth Clay

Elisabeth Clay turned in a legendary run at the end of the year, winning double gold at No-Gi Worlds with all submission finishes. In doing so, she became the first woman to submit Gabi Pessanha and added a guillotine win against Adele Fornarino earlier that same bracket). This is after Lis had a great season in the gi, winning silver and bronze at Worlds after a gold at Brasileiros. Lis carries tons of positive momentum into 2026 after reaching new highs in 2025.

Gabi Pessanha

Even though there were bumps along the way, 2025 was still a year of stunning dominance and historic accomplishments for Gabi Pessanha. Gabi became the first woman to ever grand slam in IBJJF no-gi, winning Worlds, Brasileiros, Pans, and Euros. She added two more world titles to her collection, now a staggering 10-time World Champion with a goal to surpass Buchecha's mark in just a few years. Gabi also made her super fight no-gi debut, winning against the top-10 ranked Paige Ivette Clymer at WNO 31.

Helena Crevar

Helena Crevar ascended to the top of the sport in 2025, earning her black belt and becoming the number one ranked pound-for-pound woman on Earth (the youngest ever). Helena's year peaked when she won the $100,000 women's bracket at CJI 2, defeating Adele Fornarino and Sarah Galvão. She also won the WNO Featherweight Championship, and defended it in December. Helena finished her year by winning her first black belt world title, going all submissions through No-Gi Worlds. In addition to these accomplishments, she also won a brown belt world title in the gi. In short, it was a stunningly successful season for the young Kingsway black belt. She got it done gi & no-gi, while facing a high level of opposition, and had a high submission rate.

Janaina Lebre

Janaina Lebre rose to the top in 2025, establishing herself as one of the best at any weight in the gi. The AOJ black belt won every Grand Slam tournament in 2025, capping things off with a World Championship victory against the legendary Luiza Monteiro in the Pyramid.

Sarah Galvão

What a crazy year for Sarah Galvão, she began by winning every Grand Slam tournament in the IBJJF gi season, capping it off with a World Championship and promotion to black belt in the Pyramid. From there, she has been on a tear with titles at the Asian Open, American Nationals (double gold), Ocean BJJ, Pan No-Gi, and more. She won two big WNO matches by submission and made it to the finals of the $100,000 women's bracket in Las Vegas for CJI 2. Perhaps her biggest accomplishment came at The Crown, where Sarah defeated Janaina Lebre, BSM, and Cassia Moura to capture gold and become #1 ranked in her weight class just six months into her black belt career.

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