Women’s jiu-jitsu is stronger than ever, and with cash on the line for the first time and equal pay for men and women based on division sizes the stakes are raised even higher.

Light-Feather

With three black belt World Champions contending for the title the women’s light featherweight division is stacked. We get a dream match-up first round between former light-feather World champion Talita Alencar and Tammi Musumeci. Musumeci has been out of competition recently likely due to her commitments as a full time law student, but when she shows up to competition it’s because she’s ready. Musumeci is both a Pans champions and Worlds medalist, but normally competes at lightweight or feather. It will be interesting to see her back on the mat down a couple weight classes down against new opponents. 

Gezary Matuda 

The winner of that match will likely meet former World champion Gezary Matuda in the semi-finals, but first Matuda will have to get though Australian dark horse Liwia Gluchowska. Better known for her no-gi game (she recently qualified for ADCC) don’t count her out. Expect to see some sly leg attacks that could give her the edge. 

Amanda Monteiro

On the other side of the bracket Amanda Monteiro who will take on the winner between Rita Lynne Gribben and Saori Shibamoto. In the final corner of the bracket we have a rematch between Gabriella Fetcher and Kristina Barlaan. In their most recent contention Fetcher has had the upper hand, but anything could happen at Worlds.

Featherweight

There is a long list of athletes poised to become champion in the women’s featherweight division, with names like 2018 World champ Karen Antunes and last year’s silver medalist Ana Carolina Schmitt joined by formidable opponents such Bianca Basilio, Nathalie Ribeiro, last year’s brown belt lightweight World Champion Talia Vaughn in the division, and of course Ffion Davies, who is one gold medal away from hitting the IBJJF “grand slam”. 

Karen Antunes

Once ruled by Mackenzie Dern, we now have a bracket full of convincing champion material. If we had to choose a favorite it would be the number three seed Ffion Davies, who is on a roll toward hitting the grand slam in her inaugural year at black belt. Davies has defeated nearly everyone in the division already. First she will have to take on Nathalie Ribeiro. The pair met at No-Gi Worlds where Davies was victorious, but it will be interesting to see how things change (if at all) in the gi. Ribeiro is known for explosive and unexpected attacks, so she’s a legitimate first round threat. 

Lightweight

Queen Beatriz Mesquita is back at lightweight contending for her ninth black belt world title. She will contend with the likes of Jena Bishop, Erin Herle– both of whom Mesquita has beaten– and relative newcomer Kristin Mikkelson. 

Beatriz Mesquita

On the opposite side of the bracket are teammates Amandine Layec and Gabrielle Mccomb, who is the no.2 seed in the division. Mccomb has won nearly everything since receiving her black belt less than a year ago, and is set up to have a successful first run as a black belt at Worlds. 

Gabi Mccomb

The Humaita squad will first have to get through Atos’ rising star Nicole Sullivan and, contingent on how the rest of the bracket plays out, Catherine Perret of Checkmat or European champion Charlotte Von Baumgarten. 

Also keep an eye on:

Roosterweight

Four-time World champion Rikako Yuasa’s biggest challenge will be the 2018 brown belt World champion Mayssa Bastos. Placed on opposite sides of the bracket we expect to see them in the finals. Bastos previously defeated Yuasa in a grueling overtime at EBI, but both women will be back in their element in a gi and on the World stage where anything can happen. 

Middleweight

Legendary Hannette Staack is back at Worlds for the first time since 2013. If she gets out of her first round match she’ll meet two-time World champion Ana Carolina Vieira in a clash of generations. The strongest chances to make the final from the opposite side of the bracket are Samatha Cook of Checkmat and Laura Hallock of GF Team. 

Medium-Heavyweight

Luiza Monteiro is jumping up two weight classes this year to the medium-heavy weight division. We saw her successful in this division at Pans and know she is a force in any division. A showdown with Andressa Cintra of Gracie Barra in the final is most likely. 

Heavyweight

Nathiely De Jesus is the reigning champion for the female heavyweights. Talita Nogueira is posed on the opposite side of the bracket which could potentially make a great finals meet.

Super Heavyweight

With Tayane Pofirio and Gabi Garcia out of the mix we are seeing a totally new super heavyweight division with people like Claudia Do Val, Alison Tremblay, Jessica Flowers, and more vying for gold. Expect a final between Venla Luukkonen and Claudia do Val. 

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