picture of Elisabeth Clay

Elisabeth Clay is a black belt competitor representing Ares BJJ. Born on June 10, 2000 in Katy, TX, Clay won the 2017 ADCC Trials as a 16-year-old blue belt although an injury forced her out of the World Championships. Coached by Samir Chantre and Osvaldo "Queixinho" Moizinho, Clay competes both gi and no-gi and is known for her fearsome leg attacks.

  1. Elisabeth Clay & Brianna Ste-Marie To Meet at Tezos WNO 20 145 Title Bout

    Elisabeth Clay & Brianna Ste-Marie To Meet at Tezos WNO 20 145 Title Bout

    Sep 1, 2023

    Top grapplers Elisabeth Clay & Brianna Ste-Marie are set to clash for the women's featherweight WNO Championship at Tezos WNO 20: Night of Champions, in a night featuring six championship bouts on the main card. October 1st's bout will mark the first meeting between the two highly credentialed black belts, both known for aggressive, fan-friendly, submission-focused styles.
  2. IBJJF American Nationals Results: Ronaldo, Clay, Elder Win Big In Vegas

    IBJJF American Nationals Results: Ronaldo, Clay, Elder Win Big In Vegas

    Jul 10, 2023

    The IBJJF American Nationals delivered on a great weekend of gi and no-gi competition in Las Vegas, with grappling stars Elisabeth Clay, Ronaldo Junior, Elder Cruz, and Melissa Cueto taking home absolute gold. There were great black belt debuts, a few upsets, and some razor close matchups. CheckMat won both the gi and no-gi team titles, over tough squads from Carlson Gracie and Gracie Barra.
  3. American Nationals Preview: 8 Things To Get Excited About

    American Nationals Preview: 8 Things To Get Excited About

    Jul 5, 2023

    Every year in early July, Americans come together and celebrate the nation with fireworks. I am, of course, referring to IBJJF American Nationals and the dynamic grappling action it brings, as the tournament continues to gain momentum as one of the best mid-majors of the calendar.
  4. 13 Athletes The New ADCC Weight Classes Help The Most: Bastos, Clay, & More

    13 Athletes The New ADCC Weight Classes Help The Most: Bastos, Clay, & More

    Jun 27, 2023

    The ADCC made an enormous change this week, announcing the women's weight classes will be reclassified from -60kg and +60kg to -55kg, -65kg, and +65kg. This has totally shaken up the board for the upcoming Trials and next year's World Championships. Every athlete involved has a decision to make on going up or down, and it will benefit some more than others. Here are 13 athletes on the cusp on contention that the move could potentially hugely benefit.
  5. Elisabeth Clay: The New Generation Leg Locker's Best Finishes

    Elisabeth Clay: The New Generation Leg Locker's Best Finishes

    Jun 20, 2023

    There may not be a better leg lock specialist among the new generation of black belt competitors than Elisabeth Clay. The Ares competitor has finished an astonishing 80% of her victories by submission, with over 65% of those being leg locks, and used them to beat world-class opposition in important matches. What really stands out for Clay is her ability to use different leg attacks to get the win at black belt, including so far in her career;
  6. 11 Of Our Favorite Black Belt Matches From IBJJF Pans 2023

    11 Of Our Favorite Black Belt Matches From IBJJF Pans 2023

    Mar 29, 2023

    The black belts came ready to put on a show at the 2023 IBJJF Pan Championships. Filled with some of the best matches of the year, Pans delivered a mix of submission thrills and gritty fights that went the distance. Here are 10 of the best bouts from Pans 2023:
  7. Grappling Bulletin: Meregali Set To Try For First IBJJF Pans Title

    Grappling Bulletin: Meregali Set To Try For First IBJJF Pans Title

    Mar 13, 2023

    A three-time IBJJF world champion and four-time Brasileiros champion has registered for the 2023 IBJJF Pan Championships, trying to add to his collection of major titles.
  8. By The Numbers: Abundant Submissions In Female Divisions At No-Gi Worlds

    By The Numbers: Abundant Submissions In Female Divisions At No-Gi Worlds

    Dec 14, 2022

    Some of the most talented female grapplers in the world took the mats at the 2022 IBJJF No-Gi World Championships last week. The top brown and black belts came to put on a show; they finished 54-percent of 106 matches by submission. In 13 of 18 divisions, more than half of all matches ended in submission.
  9. Live Updates & Results | IBJJF No-Gi Worlds Black Belt Finals

    Live Updates & Results | IBJJF No-Gi Worlds Black Belt Finals

    Dec 11, 2022

    The Stage is set for the final day of the 2022 IBJJF No-Gi World Championships. Each of the male divisions narrowed down to the final eight yesterday, and the finalists were named in each of the female divisions.
  10. Live Updates & Results | IBJJF No-Gi Worlds Black Belt Eliminators

    Live Updates & Results | IBJJF No-Gi Worlds Black Belt Eliminators

    Dec 10, 2022

    The first phase of the black belt rounds at the 2022 IBJJF No-Gi World Championships are underway. Today, the absolute finalists in the male and female divisions will earn their spots, as will the final eight athletes in each of the men's divisions, and the finalists in the women's divisions.
  11. No-Gi Worlds Black Belt Absolute Divisions Are Complete!

    No-Gi Worlds Black Belt Absolute Divisions Are Complete!

    Dec 10, 2022

    The registrations have closed for the adult black belt open class divisions at the 2022 IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship. Both the male and female divisions should kick off at 9:30 am local time in Anaheim on Saturday.
  12. By The Numbers: Female Submission Rates At No-Gi Pans

    By The Numbers: Female Submission Rates At No-Gi Pans

    Oct 25, 2022

    Last weekend no-gi competitors once again showed the true nature of jiu-jitsu, a hunt for the submission, the most decisive way to win a match against another grappler. The women in the arena were no exception. Out of 66 brown and black belt matches, there were 42 submissions, an almost two-thirds submission rate. Almost no division was spared at least one win by submission, and many were overpowered by champions who submitted their way through their entire brackets.
  13. The 2022 ADCC Award Winners Have Been Announced!

    The 2022 ADCC Award Winners Have Been Announced!

    Oct 20, 2022

    As the dust settles after the 2022 ADCC World Championships, ADCC has released the winners of their four prestigious awards given out at every ADCC Worlds. The awards are for best athlete, best takedown, best match and fastest submission.
  14. See The Athletes Who Qualified For The No-Gi Pans Finals

    See The Athletes Who Qualified For The No-Gi Pans Finals

    Oct 16, 2022

    Day 2 of the 2022 IBJJF No-Gi Pan Championships is in the books, meaning the final three black belt rounds, which will take place on Sunday, October 16, are set.
  15. The Comprehensive List Of Female Favorites Coming To No-Gi Pans

    The Comprehensive List Of Female Favorites Coming To No-Gi Pans

    Oct 12, 2022

    The IBJJF No-Gi Pans Championship on October 14-16 in Garland, TX will feature more than 30 of the top female black belt competitors of today. We expect to see the final brackets later tonight, (update: they're here!) but no matter how they take form, the favorites — women like Nathieley de Jesus, Ana Rodrigues and Elisabeth Clay — will remain the same. Here are the top women to watch this weekend.