The IBJJF Absolute Grand Prix stands as a premier professional event that features eight of jiu-jitsu’s best athletes competing for the title of Absolute Grand Prix Champion. Scheduled for this Friday, September 1st in Las Vegas, Nevada, this edition of the Grand Prix promises to be an electrifying display of technique and submissions. This year’s field of elite black belts includes World Champions Victor Hugo, Nicholas Meregali, and Fellipe Andrew, along with Gutemberg Pereira, Steffen Banta, Francisco Lo, Horlando Monteiro, and Paulo Merlin. Don't miss your chance to watch this star-studded cast of black belts at the IBJJF Absolute Grand Prix. In addition to the Absolute Grand Prix, there will also be five super fights featuring athletes from different weight classes looking to put on a show on the big stage. The event will start at 5 PM and doors will open one hour before the event start time. If you can’t attend the event live, be sure to catch all the action live on flograppling.com.

Nicholas Meregali - New Wave Jiu-Jitsu

3X World Champion Nicholas Meregali is undoubtedly in the best phase of his career right now.  As a black belt, Nicholas has accumulated nine major titles, 42 submissions in major championships, and a 73.68% submission rate in major championship matches. His titles, wins, and submission percentage have always been tremendous, but his performances have become even more dominant as of late. The 2023 Pans was a beautiful showcase of his high level of technique, as he defeated seven opponents and got the finish in six of his matches. Since joining team New Wave in 2022, Nicholas has made incredible progress. Though he always had a very effective top game, his takedowns, passing, and pressure have reached new heights, as most of his finishes have come from the back after passing the guard. Of Nicholas’ six submissions at the 2023 Pans, five came via choke from the back. These finishes are a testament to the refinement of his pressure on top, as he’s used those skills to force back exposure from his opponents. Nicholas will now look to add IBJJF Absolute Grand Prix Champion to his already impressive competition resume. He’ll kick off his IBJJF Absolute GP campaign against the always dangerous Francisco Lo.

Victor Hugo - Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu

Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu’s Victor Hugo is the reigning absolute World Champion, a title he achieved in totally dominant fashion. Coming into the 2023 Worlds Victor already had two gold medals at the Worlds under his belt. This year, however, he was on a mission to prove that his jiu-jitsu was on a different level. After five submissions, including finishes in both finals, Victor emerged as both the ultra heavyweight and absolute World Champion. His 2023 record currently stands at 15-0 with 11 submissions, a 73.33% submission rate. What stands out about Victor’s game is his mobility and his attacking style. As an ultra heavyweight, Victor is one of the biggest competitors on the scene, but despite his size, he’s able to play guard like a lightweight. His most meaningful win this year came in the 2023 Worlds open class final, where he faced 3X World Champion Erich Munis. Victor was aggressive from the get go and found a beautiful kneebar finish just 2:03 into the contest. Victor is also no stranger to the IBJJF GP, as he won the 2021 heavyweight GP. He defeated World Champions Gustavo Batista and Mahamed Aly, getting an impressive straight ankle lock finish against Aly in the final. He’ll enter the event with both IBJJF GP experience and plenty of momentum from the Worlds, making him one of the favorites to come away with the title.

Fellipe Andrew - Alliance

2023 has without a doubt been the best year of Fellipe Andrew’s black belt career. Though he came into the year as an already highly accomplished World Champion, Fellipe’s current season has been a testament to his true abilities. He won gold at the Europeans, Brasileiros, and Worlds, compiling a 30-1 record with a 51.61% submission rate. Fellipe was also awarded the #1 ranking for adult male black belts for the 2022/2023 season, the fourth consecutive time he’s achieved the top spot in the rankings. He’s notched impressive wins this year against Adam Wardzinski, Johnatha Alves, Mathias Luna, Roberto Jimenez, Rider Zuchi, and Pedro Machado, among others. One of the key elements of 2023 for Fellipe was his drop down to the heavyweight division, a move driven by his desire for a second World title. He accomplished that feat with four World Championship victories to achieve the biggest title of his career. Fellipe has competed in two IBJJF GP events in the past, with his most recent result being a choke from the back submission finish over Roosevelt Sousa in 2022. Though Fellipe won’t be the heaviest competitor in the division, he’s won countless absolute titles, including major absolute titles at the Europeans and Pans.

Horlando Monteiro - Nova Uniao

For Horlando Monteiro, competing at the Absolute GP represents a return to top form after a break from competition. In the colored belt ranks, Horlando won the Worlds, Pans, Europeans, and Brasileiros and was one the most highly regarded black belt prospects in the game when he was promoted in 2016. Horlando has been a black belt longer than any of his fellow GP competitors. His first major championship gold as a black belt came at the 2018 Europeans in Lisbon, Portugal where Horlando conquered the always tough medium-heavy division. So far as a black belt Horlando has wins over high level opponents such as Ronaldo Junior, Matheus Spirandeli, Yan “Pica Pau,” Gianni Grippo, Manuel Ribamar, Kennedy Maciel, and Mikey Musumeci, among others. Though Horlando was able to beat high level opponents and win several tournaments as a black belt, a move to Hawaii to open an academy and injuries slowed down his competition schedule. His 2023 return to the IBJJF circuit has been nearly perfect, as he’s compiled an 8-0 record with seven submissions for an 87.5% submission rate. His most impressive win this year came at the American Nationals in Las Vegas, where Horlando submitted Pan Champion Ronaldo Junior with a beautiful armbar in the medium-heavy final. He’ll look to win the most prestigious title of his career this Friday at the IBJJF Absolute GP. His first match will be a tough test as he takes on 2023 Worlds double gold Champion Victor Hugo, but Horlando is always up for any challenge.

Gutemberg Pereira - GF Team

2022 Absolute GP runner-up Gutemberg Pereira returns to the event for the second time and will look to capture his first GP title. Gutemberg is a highly skilled and well-rounded competitor who is also a 2022 Brasileiro Absolute Champion. Though he hasn’t won a major title in 2023, he has the ability to win any division he enters, as evidenced by his wins over fellow GP competitors Nicholas Meregali, Fellipe Andrew, Horlando Monteiro, and Francisco Lo. Gutemberg has been a black belt since 2017, making him one of the most experienced black belts at the event. In his first fight, Gutemberg will take on Paulo Merlin, a Worlds and Pans bronze medalist in a match between one of the most experienced black belts against one of the newest of the bracket.

Francisco Lo - PSLPB Cicero Costha USA

As one of the most electrifying athletes on today’s scene, Francisco Lo will enter the IBJJF Absolute Grand Prix for the second straight year. Francisco also participated in an IBJJF FloGrappling GP super fight against Ronaldo Junior earlier this year, so he’s a veteran of the GP events. Though he’s most well known for his flying submissions over elite competition, Francisco has more in his arsenal than just flashy finishes. He’s not only one of the newer black belts in the GP but also the lightest. Francisco takes on 3X World Champion Nicholas Meregali in his first match.

Paulo Merlin - Gracie Barra

Pans and Worlds bronze medalist Paulo Merlin was a late addition to the Absolute Grand Prix. Representing Gracie Barra, Merlin had an impressive career in the colored belts, winning titles at the Pans, Worlds No-Gi, and Brasileiros. His most impressive wins at black belt came at the 2023 Worlds, where he defeated World Champion Lucas Barbosa and Brasileiro Champion Marcus “Scooby,” earning a bronze medal in the absolute. Paulo and Steffen Banta are the two newest black belts in the GP, as they were both promoted in December 2022. In the first round he’ll face Gutemberg Pereira in what promises to be a competitive match with both athletes constantly moving forward and pushing the pace.

Steffen Banta - Alliance

Steffen Banta was the last addition to the IBJJF Grand Prix, replacing his Professor Joao Gabriel Rocha. As a brown belt, Steffen won every major title in dominant fashion. As a result of his performances, Steffen became the #1 ranked brown belt in the world without the gi. In December 2022, Steffen was promoted to black belt by Joao Gabriel Rocha. So far in his short time at black belt, he’s won gold medals at the Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Nashville Spring Opens. He’ll open the GP against the #1 ranked 2X World Champion Fellipe Andrew, one of the most dangerous and submission oriented fighters in the world.

All the action from the IBJJF Absolute Grand Prix goes down on Friday, September 1st. Go to flograppling.com to make sure you don’t miss a minute of the action.