The 2026 ADCC World Championships marks the return of the superfight, the decades-old match between two athletes in the elite of the elite of submission fighting that marks the end of the ADCC World Championship.
2026’s edition of the Superfight is between two Brazilians. Kaynan Duarte and Yuri Simoes will meet in Krakow, Poland to determine a new superfight champion.
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Every ADCC World Championship, the Superfight acts as a showcase to celebrate legendary fighters and rivalries, and this year’s fight is no different. You don’t want to miss these two decorated athletes.
Here are five things you need to know ahead of the Superfight at the 2026 ADCC World Championship.
Gordon Ryan Won’t Be Defending His Title
Gordon Ryan has won three consecutive superfights at ADCC Worlds, but the seven-time ADCC world champion won’t be defending his title in 2026.
Ryan has decided not to compete at the 2026 ADCC World Championship, retiring due to medical issues. The throne that he’s held for years is officially vacant, leaving the title up for grabs between two men.
Kaynan Duarte and Yuri Simmoes will be going head-to-head to determine the next Superfight champion. Simoes faced off against Ryan in the Superfight in 2024, losing a 21-0 points decision. Duarte will make his debut in the ADCC Worlds superfight after winning the Absolute Division in 2024.
Yuri Simoes Competed In The 2024 Superfight
Yuri Simoes won the Absolute Division in 2022, defeating Nicholas Meregali to earn himself the chance to challenge Gordon Ryan in the 2024 superfight.
Simoes lost a 21-0 decision, but his effort and track record as one of the sport's best earned him a second chance to challenge for the now vacant title.
The Brazilian veteran might be removed from the days of his prime, but he’ll have the chance to turn back the clock when he steps on the mat against Kaynan Duarte.
Kaynan Duarte And Yuri Simoes Have Competed Against Each Other Before
Kaynan Duarte and Yuri Simoes have competed against each other before in 2019.
The two were originally scheduled to meet in August 2019 at Kasai Pro 6, before Simoes was forced to withdraw from the match due to an elbow injury.
One month later at the 2019 ADCC World Championship, Duarte and Simoes met in the quarterfinals of the +99kg division. Duarte got the best of Simoes, winning a 3-0 points decision as a black belt rookie.
The two will meet for the first time in seven years on Sept. 13 and the stakes are as high as ever. The Superfight title will be on the line.
When Is The ADCC Worlds Superfight?
The Superfight between Kaynan Duarte and Yuri Simoes is scheduled to take place on Sept. 13 at the 2026 ADCC World Championship. The match does not have a scheduled time yet, but one will be determined later in the week.
What Is The ADCC Worlds Superfight?
The Superfight is a match between the winner of the Absolute Division from the previous ADCC World Championship, and the winner of the previous superfight.
Every ADCC World Championship since 1999 has had a Superfight, and many of the sport’s best have held the Superfight title at one point.
Andre Galvao won four consecutive Superfights from 2013-2019 before being dethroned by Gordon Ryan in 2022. Mark Kerr became the first American to hold the superfight title when he defeated Mario Sperry in 2001.
2026 ADCC World Championship Competitor List
Watch The 2026 ADCC World Championship
Watch the 2026 ADCC World Championship live on FloGrappling on Sept. 12-13. Action starts at 5 a.m. ET and carries on throughout the weekend.
Additionally, watch full replays of submissions and key moments from the tournament throughout the weekend on FloGrappling.
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