The 2025 FloGrappling Awards celebrate the best of the best across competition, recognizing the grapplers, matches, and submissions that shaped the global jiu-jitsu landscape. From jaw-dropping finishes to instant classics on the mats, these winners represent excellence at the highest level.

Here are the official winners of the 2025 FloGrappling Awards

The 2025 Male Grappler of the Year

Adam Wardzinski, CheckMat, Poland

Adam Wardziński put together a standout 2025 campaign that reaffirmed his place among the most accomplished and technically distinct competitors in modern jiu-jitsu. Throughout 2025, he consistently delivered elite-level performances on the sport’s biggest stages, using his trademark butterfly guard to control and dismantle world-class opposition. Wardziński’s ability to impose his classical style against a deep international field at every IBJJF major tournament highlighted his technical mastery as well as his also his tactical intelligence and composure under pressure. In 2025, Adam became the first ever European grappler to win a black belt IBJJF grand slam before winning his second World title - then laying his belt down in the Pyramid to signify his retirement from the IBJJF circuit.

The 2025 Female Grappler of the Year

Helena Crevar, Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu, USA

Helena Crevar’s 2025 season marked another major step in her evolution from prodigy to established star in jiu-jitsu. This year Helena ascended to the top to become the youngest top pound-for-pound ranked athlete in FloGrappling history, delivering championships in every tournament and style she competed in this year. Crevar consistently imposed her pace, blending relentless positional pressure with a submission game that delivered impressive finishes throughout the year. At only 18 years old, she was able to win a brown belt IBJJF World Championship in the gi, a black belt IBJJF No-Gi World Championship, a WNO championship, and the $100,000 CJI Invitational bracket. By the end of 2025, Crevar had firmly cemented herself as a central figure in the future—and present—of elite jiu-jitsu competition.

The 2025 Breakthrough Grappler of the Year

Sarah Galvão, Atos, Brazil

Sarah Galvão delivered a strong 2025 season that highlighted her steady rise to jiu-jitsu’s elite level. After an impressive 2024, she broke through in 2025 with a grand slam run through brown belt and beyond, getting her black belt and finishing the year as the top ranked female lightweight in the world. Across major competitions, she displayed a refined technical game built on balance, timing, and positional control against world-class opponents. Galvão’s consistency and poise under pressure reflected a maturity that continues to set her apart within an increasingly competitive field. Sarah walks into 2026 with big goals of becoming the youngest Super Grand Slam Champion in history, and with her sights already set on Euros she is marching forward towards a historic season.

The 2025 Juvenile Grappler of the Year

Icaro Moreno, Art of Jiu-Jitsu, Brazil

Icaro Moreno put together an impressive 2025 season that showcased his growth into a more established prospect to watch. In 2025, Icaro became the first juvenile grappler to win on WNO - and he did it twice with a pair of submission victories. He consistently imposed his physical, pressure-heavy style, controlling matches against high-level opposition and forcing opponents to react to his power and pace. Moreno’s technical refinement and competitive maturity were evident throughout the year, as he delivered composed performances on major stages including another gold medal at Kids Pans. Icaro is one of this upcoming generation's most promising young athletes and in 2025 he proved why to his biggest audiences yet.

The 2025 FloGrappling Match of the Year

Adam Wardzinski vs Roberto Jimenez, 2025 IBJJF Pan Championships

Adam Wardziński’s matchup with Roberto Jimenez at the 2025 IBJJF Pans was a high-level showcase of composure, control, and stylistic differences. Roberto was all over the Polish champion early with back takes and passes but Wardziński imposed his trademark butterfly guard with patience and precision, neutralizing Jimenez’s explosiveness. The performance stood as a clear example of Wardziński’s ability to execute his game against one of the most dynamic competitors in the division on a major championship stage. With classical style and youthful scrambles, this finals match had a little bit of everything for everyone.

The 2025 FloGrappling Submission of the Year

Mica Galvão's armbar against Roberto Jimenez, BJJ Stars 15

Mica Galvão’s armbar victory over Roberto Jimenez at BJJ Stars 15 was a sharp display of timing, composure, and ruthless efficiency. Galvão methodically found the finish with a shoulder crunch-style armbar from a sit up guard, following Jimenez's deft attempts at escape before locking in the finishing hold. These two met in the finals of a star-studded middleweight grand prix at BJJ Stars, wirth Galvão delivering the submission in front of a raucous crowd of Sao Paulo fans.