ADCC World Championships: Who to Watch

The most anticipated event in jiu-jitsu history is this weekend! After a delay due largely to COVID, the ADCC World Championships has returned… and it’s bigger and better than ever before.

Under the leadership of Mo Jassim and with the event promotion expertise of F2W’s Seth Daniels and his “Team No Sleep”, the 2022 ADCC World Championships will be unlike any ADCC event – unlike any jiu-jitsu event – in the history of the sport. With around 12,000 spectators and held at the world famous Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, it will be the most watched jiu-jitsu event in history. 

Additionally, every single men and female division is absolutely stacked with the best of the best in the world, with twenty countries represented: Brazil, USA, England, Wales, Ireland, Australia, Norway, Canada, Ecuador, Japan, Poland, Finland, South Africa, Colombia, Honduras, Ghana, Cyprus, Romania, Spain, and Lebanon (by country of origin). See the full and updated list of athletes at FloGrappling here.

Of the 97 athletes competing in that prestigious event this year, Kingz alone is proud to claim nine of them. Who are they, and why should you watch? Read on…

Andre Galvao

After winning the coveted Absolute division at the ADCC World Championships in 2011, Andre Galvao has never lost an ADCC Super Fight match since. And while he has nothing to prove – with one of the most impressive competitive records in jiu-jitsu history – he is looking to add one more Super Fight title to his already legendary record.

Cyborg

Fight Sports legend Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu is no stranger to the ADCC World Championships, having won the coveted Absolute championship in 2013, then facing off against fellow Kingz athlete Andre Galvao in 2015. With his seventh ADCC appearance, Cyborg also has nothing to prove. But there’s nowhere else he’d rather be, and he has his eye set on another Absolute win.

Kaynan Duarte

It was his ADCC South American Trials win in 2017 – at purple belt – that put Kaynan Duarte on the map. In his second ADCC appearance in 2019, he became the reigning +99kg champion. Kaynan will now be looking for his second ADCC World Championship win… this time in the 99kg division. A leaner, meaner Kaynan is absolutely terrifying.

Cole Abate

At 17 years old, North American Trials winner Cole Abate will be the youngest competitor in ADCC World Championship history... and is looking to become the youngest ADCC World Champion in history. Cole will be competing in the Men’s 66kg category against some long-time legendary black belts. Cole has been training hard, and is ready to show fans a “new game”.

Bia Basilio

One of the most accomplished and exciting female black belts in the world, Bianca Basilio will be defending her -60kg ADCC World Championship title this year. Splitting her camp between her home academy, Almeida Jiu-Jitsu, and Andre Galvao’s Atos HQ, Bia has been sharpening the sword to become battle ready. One this is for sure: expect a show!

Mica Galvao

Already one of the most exciting up-and-comers in the sport, Mica Galvao will be making his ADCC World Championships debut! He earned a coveted spot in the Men’s 77kg division by winning – dominating is probably more accurate – the 1st South American Trials last January, with four out of four wins by submission. Since then, he’s been brushing up on his No-Gi game, so expect a repeat performance at the World Championships!

Diogo Reis

Another Kingz athlete will be making his debut, but in the Men’s 66kg division. Diogo Reis - the Baby Shark – secured his spot with an impressive win at the 1st South American Trials last January. What will fans expect from the baby-faced killer? A more offensive, smarter, and stronger athlete who is ready to make a splash at the Olympics of grappling.

Fabricio Andrey

Fabricio Andrey’s South American Trials win just last February secured him a spot in an incredibly stacked Men’s 66kg division. After a semi-finals loss at the 1st South American Trials – to Diogo no less – he came back with a vengeance at the 2nd Trials. He finished every single opponent with a submission! He’s looking to take that ferocity to his first ADCC World Championship showing.

John Hansen

A Pedigo Submission Fighting black belt, John Hansen won the 1st North American Trials in New Jersey to secure his spot in the Men’s +99kg division. The ultra heavyweight fighter with the unassuming smile will be making his ADCC World Championships debut in one of the most stacked divisions of the event.

Whether you’re a No-Gi fan or not, you must not miss this year’s ADCC World Championships. Those who can’t physically be there, can watch the entire event televised on FloGrappling.