The brackets for the 25th edition of the IBJJF World Championships are now official. Those brackets are available here via bjjcompsystem.com. The number of potentially exciting matchups is expansive, but there are a few matches guaranteed in the early rounds that you can’t miss. We’ve sifted through the black belt divisions to identify the best first round pairings — as well as likely second round matches — that are bound to provide some of the best jiu-jitsu action of the year.

The IBJJF World Championships gives jiu-jitsu fans an opportunity to watch their favorite veteran athletes as they hunt for a first, or a repeat world title. It’s a showcase for the best and most beloved grapplers on the planet. But it’s also an opportunity for brand new black belts to earn their recognition, try to ascend the ranks, and — perhaps — start dynastic runs atop the World podium.

2020 was a challenging year for competitors to earn recognition. Still, a few competitors have found ways to throw themselves into the limelight. These six athletes, the candidates for Breakthrough Grappler Of The Year, sought out the biggest challenges, and routinely flourished.

Fight to Win returns to Philadelphia on Friday, November 6, for another superfight showcase. In the main event, Junny Ocasio will make his fifth Fight to Win appearance since July, and this time he'll step up in weight to take on the no. 1-ranked Kennedy Maciel. In the co-main event, Samuel Nagai will try to knock off another featherweight mainstay, Marcio Andre.

Fight to Win returns to Philadelphia on Friday, November 6, for another superfight showcase. In the main event, Junny Ocasio will make his fifth Fight to Win appearance since July, and this time he'll step up in weight to take on the no. 1-ranked Kennedy Maciel. In the co-main event, Samuel Nagai will try to knock off another featherweight mainstay, Marcio Andre.

The latest edition of Pans was full of upsets. The black belt roster was packed with rookies looking to make their marks on their new divisions, and veterans hoping to edge themselves into the top of the pack. While many relatively unknown names made waves, a few contenders stole the show.

The black belts finally hit the mat on Saturday at the 2020 IBJJF Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship, with action going up to the final in both absolutes and the women's weights, with men's weight classes going to the quarters. There was a bunch of good matches from Saturday, I've narrowed it down to just a select few of the best for you to check out: 

The long-anticipated IBJJF Pan Championships will soon be underway. Hundreds of black belts are registered for these brackets, so there’s no telling who we’ll see in the finals. While there are many exciting potential matchups that may or may not line up, there are several guaranteed first-round pairings — and some likely second-round matches — that we can’t wait to see.

This weekend's edition of Fight to Win will include two no-gi title matches. Edwin "Junny" Ocasio will return to defend his bantamweight title against Marcelo Cohen, and Talita Alencar will square off against Heather Raftery for the women's no-gi flyweight belt.

This weekend's edition of Fight to Win will include two no-gi title matches. Edwin "Junny" Ocasio will return to defend his bantamweight title against Marcelo Cohen, and Talita Alencar will square off against Heather Raftery for the women's no-gi flyweight belt.

Now the event is in the bag we take a quick look at the 3 on 3 team challenge event. A lot of crazy results to digest, here are the most noteworthy.

Subversiv is back for a third installment of team jiu-jitsu!

Many of the top pound-for-pound brown belts have been promoted since the IBJJF canceled the second half of the 2019-20 season due to COVID-19. In April, Meyram Maquine earned the strap, and just this month, Higor Lima, Raul Basilio, Roosevelt Sousa, Samuel Nagai, and Fabricio Andrey each leveled up to black belt.