The brown belt champions of today are likely to go on to become standout black belts of tomorrow, and the IBJJF Pan Championship is always a good place to identify those future stars. 

There is often little difference between a high level brown belt and a competitive black belt, and we make a point of following those who make it to the top of the podium as success at Pans can often indicate even greater success down the road. 

Brown belt champions at the 2021 IBJJF Pan Championships included: 

Checkmat's standout brown belt Jansen Gomes took double gold beating Enderson Dias in both the absolute and medium-heavyweight finals. Much like the blue belts on day one, the absolute final was a rematch of the medium-heavyweight division. Gomes won the weight class final beating Dias 2-0, and the absolute final via two advantages after nearly taking the back.

QF: Sterling Van Mellman vs Jansen Gomes Ramos 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

SF: Jansen Gomes Ramos vs Mateus Rodrigues De Souza 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

Final: Jansen Gomes Ramos vs Enderson Dias De Almeida 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

WATCH: Checkmat's Jansen Gomes Wins 2021 IBJJF Pan Brown Belt Medium-Heavyweight Gold

Absolute Division: 

QF: Lucas Giraud Ribeiro vs Jansen Gomes Ramos 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

SF: Jansen Gomes Ramos vs Eduardo De Araujo Roque 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

Final: Enderson Dias De Almeida vs Jansen Gomes Ramos 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

WATCH: Double Gold Brown Belt Champ Jansen Gomes

Elder Cruz (aka "El Monstro") of Checkmat won the heavyweight division with three submissions in a row, hitting the same lapel choke from side control. The final ended via DQ after Cruz's opponent Steffen Banta was penalized for repeatedly fleeing the mat. 

El1: Elder Alexander Cruz vs Felipe Aníbal Ferraz Teixeira 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

QF: Matheus P. B. Alves vs Elder Alexander Cruz 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

SF: Elder Alexander Cruz vs Lucas Giraud Ribeiro 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

Final: Elder Alexander Cruz vs Steffen M. Banta 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

WATCH: Elder Cruz Catches His Stride, Wins Pans Gold With 3 Subs

Of the 28 brown belts in the hyper-competitive lightweight division, Elijah Dorsey of Team Lloyd Irvin emerged the winner after a series of impressive and dynamic performances that showcased the 19-year-old's talents. Dorsey beat Eduardo Roque via decision in the final. 

El1: Elijah Amir Dorsey vs Jose De Jesus M. Cornelio 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

QF: Elijah Amir Dorsey vs Gerson Alef Da Silva Oliveira 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

SF: Elijah Amir Dorsey vs Daniel Sathler Campos 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

Final: Elijah Amir Dorsey vs Eduardo De Araujo Roque 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

WATCH: Blood And Gold For Pan Lightweight Brown Belt Champ Elijah Dorsey Of Team Lloyd Irvin

WATCH: Donnie Achnik & Jamil Coach Elijah Dorcey to Pan Gold | Mic'd Up

Carlos Neto won the middleweight division with two of the most brutal leg locks we saw all day, hitting straight achilles locks in the semifinal and final that had his opponents screaming to tap. 

El1: Jonathan P. Bechtloff vs Carlos Alberto Castro De 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

QF: Carlos Alberto Castro De vs Gilberto Henrique Sarava 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

SF: Carlos Alberto Castro De vs Clay Landon Mayfield 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

Final: Carlos Alberto Castro De vs Austin Caine Oranday 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship

WATCH: Carlos Neto Hits A Straight Ankle Lock To Bring Home Pans Gold

In other action: 

• Checkmat's success continued with Paulo Lanzillotti and Guilherem Guedes closing out the ultra-heavyweight division. 

• Renan Cruz won the super-heavyweight division with three victories in a row. 

• Sebastian Serpa of Carlson Gracie won the light-featherweight division with an upset win over favorite Thalys Pontes in the second round. 

Watch: Sebastian Serpa Cashes In On Second Chance And Takes Pans Gold