The Abu Dhabi King of Mats brings together Abu Dhabi World Pro and Grand Slam champions and medalists for a "super invitational" event featuring athletes up to 69kg. 

The 2019 Abu Dhabi Lightweight King of Mats will take place on March 10, the final day of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in London. The winner of this event will be invited to fight the 2018 lightweight King of Mats champion Leo Saggioro in April as part of the Abu Dhabi World Pro. 

All of the 10 of the lightweight athletes boast credentials worthy of participating in this event, which offers a cool $10,000 for the winner. 

Long-time rivals Gianni Grippo and Paulo Miyao lead the way, but look out for seasoned veterans such as Tiago Bravo and the surging Isaac Doederlein. 

Read on and get to know the 10 athletes who will compete at the Abu Dhabi King of Mats. 

Gianni Grippo (USA) 

Training out of Marcelo Garcia’s academy in NYC, Grippo is one of the most fierce and talented black belts in his generation. A 2X black belt ADWPJJC champion, he’s right up there as a favorite to nab the winner’s trophy.

Paulo Miyao (BRA) 

Also training in NYC, Miyao has already secured his place as one of the greatest athletes of all times in his weight class. Also a black belt ADWPJJC champion, Paulo has to be seen as a big favorite for the title.

Isaac Doederlein (USA) 

Isaac is a black belt under Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles with plenty of experience in competitions against the best athletes of his generation. Known for his dangerous guard game and fast attacks, Isaac is a 2015 ADWPJJC champion as a brown belt. 

Hiago George (BRA) 

One time ADWPJJC champion and a gold medal collector in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Tour, Hiago will bring his versatile and submission-driven Jiu-Jitsu to the bracket. He's without a doubt one of the favorites to make it to the semifinals at least.

Carlos Alberto da Silva (BRA) 

"Bebeto" was a brown belt as recently as the 2018 ADWPJJC, where he won the gold medal in his division. Promoted to the black belt, Bebeto sustained the high level of performance and results. He has two gold medals in the 2018/2019 ADGS season and enters the bracket decided to make his presence felt.

Nobuhiro Sawada (JPN) 

Japan is well known for producing great competitors in the lighter weight classes. That's why it's only natural to have a Japanese competitor in the bracket. Nobuhiro Sawada is a gold medalist in the ADGS Tokyo this season. He'll be a tough opponent to any competitor in the bracket for sure.

Celso Vinícius (BRA) 

The most seasoned of the ten competitors, Celso Venícius adds experience to the highest level of skills to become a real threat to all competitors in the bracket. Known for putting his heart in every single match, Celsinho knows all the shortcuts to victory.

João Gonçalves (BRA) 

Another talented competitor coming out of Brazil, João Paulo Neto (as he is best known) won the gold medal in the 2017 ADGS Rio. He is known for always looking for the submission. Back in 2017, he won the title with three submissions in four matches in the 69kg division.

Tiago Bravo (BRA) 

Teaching Jiu-Jitsu in the UAE, Bravo has kept very active in the competition circuit. Just recently he made it to the final against Paulo Miyao in the 2019 ADGS Abu Dhabi. Tiago is known for never giving up and always being a handful to all his opponents.