The ADCC World Championships is drawing near, and this promises to be the greatest concentration of grappling talent at a single tournament this year. ADCC has acted as the grandest stage in no-gi grappling for decades, where legends are solidified - and young grapplers can make their name.
The rise of all the biggest no-gi athletes in the world goes through ADCC. Every year we see young grapplers, some not even black belts yet, come to this tournament and upset some of the most established champions in the game. 2026 will almost certainly bring that same magic, but the question is who?
Who are the top ADCC rookies who are aiming to etch their names in the history books? We have identified 8 grapplers to watch this September in Poland.
8 ADCC Rookies To Watch In 2026
Jozef Chen
Republic of South Africa • -88kg
Nobody captures the attention of the hardcore jiu-jitsu fan quite like Jozef Chen. The world traveling grappler has totally changed how people approach systems like high tripod passing and continues to innovate and sharpen techniques in ways that then resonate through the rest of the elite levels of grappling. After winning two Trials in two seasons, Jozef now gets ready to touch down in the -88kg bracket with a very reasonable chance of becoming a rookie champion.
Sarah Galvao
Brazil • -65kg
Sarah has had an incredible year already as a rookie black belt, capturing gold at some of the toughest tournaments in the world and making her first black belt World finals. She even has a win already over the reigning ADCC Champion, Ana Carolina, winning an exciting decision at CJI 2. Her father is one of ADCC's most successful fighters - is 2026 when Sarah takes up that mantle and starts defining her own golden ADCC legacy?
Pawel Jaworski
Poland • -88kg
Pawel Jaworski is one of the most impressive and exciting athletes ever to come out of Poland, and his trip back home for ADCC could net huge dividends in his first appearance. He's still in his very early 20's and already has won basically everything there is in no-gi IBJJF competition, including Worlds. Watch out for Pawel's leg locking as a major factor both here in his weight division and in the open class.
Livia Barasine
Brazil • -65kg
Livia Barasine just did something that is nearly unthinkable - went from blue belt to black belt in one year. She is one of the top names in this next generation and if this ADCC doesn't belong to her, then the next one might. In fact, in all the time I have been covering Livia, I've never seen her lose. She's in the toughest women's bracket at ADCC (in my opinon) with plenty of world class matches, so we will definitely find out plenty more about Livia in Poland.
Magomed Dhzarbaev
Russia • -77kg
Is this the year the Dagestanis come and take over ADCC? Trials winner Magomed Dhzarbaev is one of the most impressive pure grapplers to come out of the infamous Russian territory in some time, with the takedowns, top control, and toughness to challenge anyone in these rules. He's going to be an intimidating draw for anyone, and it wouldn't be a stretch to see him on day two standing toe to toe with some of the sport's most famous black belts.
Steffen Banta
United States • -99kg
Steffan may not be the most known guy coming in for the casual fans, but he is a very tough out. After two silvers at the North American Trials this season, he moved to Kingsway full-time and has since been getting rave reviews from the team. In fact, becuase of ADCC rules, he could have an early matchup with someone like Luke Griffith - who he has beaten before. I would consider Steffan a darkhorse at -99kg come tournament time.
Nikodem Mikuliszyn
Poland • -66kg
The teen phenom from Los Banditos is a darkhorse at -66kg and I don't think enough people are realizing how dangerous he could be in that bracket. He is fluid, technical, strong, and doesn't get tired. Put simply; this kid is going to be a nightmare for anyone, especially given how strong his belief in himself seems to be. Niko could genuinely become one of the youngest ADCC placewinners ever this September.
Ana Mayordomo
Spain • -55kg
No one improved their standing and stock in the grappling world more over the ADCC season than Ana Mayordomo. After winning multiple Trials that didn't qualify her for Worlds, she finally lost in the match that would have sent her to Poland - injuring her knee and putting her on the shelf. The ADCC has still made the decision to invite Ana and if she's back up to speed after her injury (and by all accounts she is) then she's going to be a dangerous fan favorite.
Everyone Appearing At Their First ADCC In 2026
-66kg
- Niko Mikuliszyn, POL
- Ryoma Anraku, JPN
- Yigit Hanay, TUR
- David Santos, BRA
- Bekzat Kapashov, KAZ
- Jaku Wiklacz, POL
- Felipe Machado, BRA
- Dominic Mejia, USA
-77kg
- Magomed Dzharbaev, RUS
- Jacob Bornemann, USA
- Nikolay Vetrov, RUS
- Julio Martins, BRA
- Michael Sainz, USA
- Kaya Rudolph, NZL
-88kg
- Pawel Jaworski, POL
- Jozef Chen, RSA
- Marlon Tajik, SWE
- Franco Diaz, PER
- Gustavo Batista, BRA
- Nathan Haddad, USA
- Gabriel Brod, BRA
- Faris Benlamkadem, MOR
-99kg
- Nico Maglicic, AUS
- Vinicius Lessa, BRA
- Steffen Banta, USA
+99kg
- Tito John Carle, AUS
- Pedro Lucas, BRA
- Nick Hartman, USA
- Belal Etiabari, NZL
- Pouya Rahmani, IRI
- Francis Pana, CAN
-55kg
- Janette Gloger, GER
- Sheliah Lindsey, USA
- Kanae Ikeda, JPN
- Ana Mayordomo, ESP
- Valerie Hamilton, USA
-65kg
- Injana Goodman, GBR
- Livia Barasine, BRA
- Sarah Galvao, BRA
- Nadia Frankland, AUS
- Ane Svendsen, NOR
- Joslyn Molina, USA
+65kg
- Anabel Lopez, ESP
- Yara Soares, BRA
- Paige Ivette Clymer, USA
- Matilda Reid, AUS