The 2026 ADCC World Championship is only a couple weeks away in Kraków, Poland. As the world’s best submission grapplers get ready to compete for ADCC gold, let’s look back at one of the championship’s most memorable editions.

The 2009 ADCC World Championships featured legendary names, historic performances and plenty of exciting moments on the mats.

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From Rafael Mendes making history at just 20 years old to Braulio Estima capturing double gold, the event featured performances that helped shape ADCC history.

Here’s a look back at the 2009 ADCC World Championships, including the champions, Superfights and key moments from the event.

When Was The ADCC 2009 World Championships?

The 2009 ADCC World Championships took place on July 18-19, 2009 for the first time in Barcelona, Spain.

Rafael Mendes Made History

At the 2009 ADCC World Championships, Rafael Mendes made history at just 20 years old winning the -66kg division, making him the youngest male competitor to win the ADCC World Championship. His victory marked the beginning of what would become one of the most decorated careers in ADCC history.

Braulio’s Double Gold

Braulio Estima had an unforgettable performance at the 2009 ADCC World Championships, becoming a double gold medalist. Estima first won the -88kg division before making another run through the Absolute division, where he defeated fellow Brazilian star Xande Ribeiro to claim his second gold medal of the tournament.

2009 ADCC World Championship Results

Men's Results

66 kg

• Gold: Rafael Mendes (BRA)
• Silver: Rubens Charles (BRA)
• Bronze: Ryan Hall (USA)

77 kg

• Gold: Pablo Popovitch (USA)
• Silver: Marcelo Garcia (BRA)
• Bronze: Gregor Gracie (BRA)

88 kg

• Gold: Braulio Estima (BRA)
• Silver: Andre Galvao (BRA)
• Bronze: David Avellan (USA)

-99 kg

• Gold: Xande Ribeiro (BRA)
• Silver: Gerardi Rinaldi (USA)
• Bronze: Vinny Magalhaes (BRA)

+99 kg

• Gold: Fabricio Werdum (BRA)
• Silver: Roberto Abreu (BRA)
• Bronze: Jeff Monson (USA)

Absolute

• Gold: Braulio Estima (BRA)
• Silver: Xande Ribeiro (BRA)
• Bronze: Vinny Magalhaes (BRA)

Superfight Champion

• Ronaldo “Jacaré” Souza (def. Robert Drysdale)

Spanish Superfight Champion

• Ezekiel Zayas (def. Roman)

Spanish Superfight Champion

• Leo Araujo (def. Jordi Joveras)

Spanish Superfight Champion

• Alfredo Melero (def. El Niño)

Spanish Superfight Champion

• Lilo (def. Cristina Gallego)

Women's Results

60 kg

• Gold: Luanna Alzuguir (BRA)
• Silver: Sayaka Shioda (JPN)
• Bronze: Hillary Williams (USA)

+60 kg

• Gold: Hannette Staack (BRA)
• Silver: Penny Thomas (RSA)
• Bronze: Cristiane Cyborg (BRA)

FloGrappling's Pound-For-Pound No-Gi Rankings

1. Dante Leon — Pedigo Submission Fighting & Adamas Jiu-Jitsu (CAN) — Previous: 5
2. Diogo Reis — Agora Jiu-Jitsu (BRA) — Previous: 2
3. Diego Pato — Art of Jiu-Jitsu (BRA) — Previous: 3
4. Mica Galvao — Mika Jiu-Jitsu (BRA) — Previous: 1
5. Tye Ruotolo — Roots of Jiu-Jitsu (USA) — Previous: 4
6. Dorian Olivarez — Team Olivarez & Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu (USA) — Previous: 6
7. Mikey Musumeci — Cobrinha BJJ (USA) — Previous: 8
8. Andrew Tackett — Syndicate MMA (USA) — Previous: 10
9. Rafael Lovato Jr. — Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu (USA) — Previous: 13
10. Deandre Corbe — Standard Jiu-Jitsu (CAN) — Previous: 11
11. Fabricio Andrey — Alliance (BRA) — Previous: 9
12. Roberto Jimenez — Unity Jiu-Jitsu (ECU) — Previous: 12
13. Luke Griffith — Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu (RSA) — Previous: 16
14. Levi Jones-Leary — Absolute MMA (AUS) — Previous: 7
15. Giancarlo Bodoni — Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu (USA) — Previous: 14
16. Cole Abate — Art of Jiu-Jitsu (USA) — Previous: 18
17. Felipe Pena — Gracie Barra (BRA) — Previous: 17
18. Vagner Rocha — Vagner Rocha Martial Arts (BRA) — Previous: 20
19. Jozef Chen — Nomadic Grappling (RSA) — Previous: NR
20. Nick Rodriguez — Simple Man Martial Arts (USA) — Previous: 15

Weight Classes At 2026 ADCC World Championship

Men's Professional

• -65.9kg
• -76.9kg
• -87.9kg
• -98.9kg
• +99kg
• Absolute

Women's Professional 

• 55kg
• -65kg
• +65kg

When Is The 2026 ADCC World Championship?

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