The black belt finals at the 2019 IBJJF World Championships saw a surge in submissions compared to recent years, resulting in one of the all-time most exciting Sundays at Worlds.

Out of 19 finals in 2019, nine ended by submission, resulting in a 47% submission rate. Over the previous three years of 2016-2018 the highest submission rate had been 32% in 2017. 

The women’s divisions have had a higher submission rate than the men’s over that period, with a 42% submission rate over those four years. The men have averaged a 23% submission rate during the same timeframe.

The men’s and women’s divisions had 40% and 56% sub rates in this years finals, both highs over the last four years. The lowest years for submission rates were 10% in 2018 for the men and 33% in both 2016 and 2018 for the women.

From 2016-2019 the World finals have been decided by 24 submissions (31.58%), 18 by points (23.68%), 16 by advantages (21.05%), nine referee decisions (11.84%), five closeouts (7.89%), with two matches ending by injury (2.63%) and one disqualification (1.32%). 

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Results 2016-2019