Before the IBJJF has its first event with the new heel hook rules in March, four competitors will have an opportunity to give those rules a test run this weekend at BJJ Stars V.

The superfight between Roberto Jimenez and Isaque Bahiense, and the superfight between Beatriz Mesquita and Thamara Ferreira, will use the new IBJJF no-gi ruleset, which allows heel hooks, reaping, and other attacks to lower extremities which were previously banned.

The newly sanctioned leglocks will alter how competitors play the scoring system, not just at BJJ Stars, but in no-gi IBJJF matches for years to come. These two superfights could give fans and competitors the first insights at the impact the rules may have.

All of these athletes are wise to the heel hook game. So none will be out of their element at BJJ Stars. But it will be interesting to get a first glimpse at how the new ruleset will change the strategies of these savvy competitors, and the no-gi game at large.

For example, how will the threat of heel hooks and reaping alter the strategies of competitors attempting to pass the guard? Will the threat of deep leg entanglements open up new opportunities for guard players to attack upper body submissions? Will athletes continue to use 50-50 as an easy sweeping position now the position holds the ever-present danger of an inside heel hook?

Watch: Thamara Ferreira's Kneebar Is Vicious

The ruleset is just one of many storylines leading up to both of these matches, either of which could easily be the most exciting of the event. 

Roberto Jimenez has been chasing after any and every big name in jiu-jitsu since his black belt debut last year against Keenan Cornelius. He’ll take on another star in Isaque Bahiense, an IBJJF World Champion. Bahiense is as sharp as they come, and is unlikely to leave anything open for Jimenez to attack. But Jimenez has more no-gi experience of late, and has a toolbox full of creative backtakes and follow-up attacks.

Thamara Ferreira and Bia Mesquita are due for a rematch after BJJ Stars IV. They squared off last year in a gritty, somewhat controversial match which Mesquita won 4-0. It was an action-filled match in which both competitors racked up advantages. Ferreira had several scoring opportunities, but Mesquita defended on every occasion. The first match was in the gi, and the no-gi rematch should be equally competitive, even if the attire changes the dynamic. 

Watch: Heel Hooks In The Gi? Bia Says Yes

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These are just two of the six superfights on the card at BJJ Stars V. Also on the schedule:

• Leandro Lo vs Alex Munis (Gi)

• Milton Vieira vs Gabriel Rollo (No-Gi) 

• Mario Reis vs Leon Amancio (Gi) 

• Vitor Terra vs Percio Broca (No-Gi) 

And the main event is the eight-man heavyweight grand prix, featuring

• Luiz Panza

• Erich Munis

• Lucas Barbosa

• Gutemberg Pereira

• Yuri Simoes

• Felipe Pena

• Erberth Santos

• Nicholas Meregali