The return of Worlds, the growth of WNO, and the emergence of a new generation of champion grapplers– just a handful of the high points of a rollercoaster 12-month period that rarely took its foot off the gas pedal. Of course, there were also less positive happenings; confrontations, team splits, and more.

Fight to Win returns to Dallas for another night of submission-only superfights with a main event featuring two of the best Masters competitors on the scene: Josh Hinger and Rafael 'Formiga' Barbosa will face off in a Masters middleweight title match. 

In many ways, the 2020 edition of the IBJJF Masters World Championships will be like no other. It's in a new arena at a different time of year under different circumstances. But like previous installments, this year's Masters Worlds will feature icons of the sport, including World Champions, Hall of Famers and fan favorites.

The IBJJF World Master Jiu-Jitsu Championship is a special event, with legends of the past taking the mat and displaying some classic "old school jiu-jitsu." The event features a wide range of ages, starting with Master 1 in the early 30's all the way to athletes still throwing down in their 50's and 60's.

Fight To Win 152 featured several of the biggest names in the lightweight division, as well as a match between Romulo Barral and Gabriel Almeida, and the return of the Fight to Win Judo format. 

There’s a lot on the line at this weekend’s edition of the biggest party in grappling. Fight to Win 152 will feature four of the major contenders for the lightweight podium at Pans next month. The co-main event will be a showdown between two of the top masters division competitors for a Fight to Win title. And Romulo Barral will return with plans to correct course after a disappointing Fight to Win debut last month.

In stark contrast to the gameplan at the adult level, deep half guard has long been the preferred guard for many masters competitors. With the shortened five- or six-minute matches, sliding into deep half and then scoring a late sweep to win 2-0 is a solid strategy for Master Worlds. The dominant passing positions typically achieved after a deep half sweep usually allow the athlete to coast out the remaining time in an over-under or double-unders position.

We have already discussed some of the names at master one here, but this is an idea of who to watch at Master 2 (35 years of age) and up in the male black belt divisions.

Rafael 'Formiga' Barbosa was already a 3x Masters Worlds Champion heading into Vegas this weekend, and after visiting the Soul Fighters athelte in Dallas last week, we had a solid hunch he was capable of owning that task once again.