For the second time in the federation’s history, the IBJJF returned to Memphis, Tennessee for the 2023 Memphis International Open at the Renasant Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Alliance, CheckMat, Zenith BJJ, Border Martial Arts, Team Jucao, Gracie Barra, and Pedigo Submission Fighting, among many other teams, brought competitors to the event. 

After winning gold last weekend at the Atlanta Winter Open, Atos Jiu-Jitsu’s Ronaldo Junior returned to competition to make some final adjustments to his game ahead of his March 3rd super fight against Francisco Lo. He once again competed in the medium-heavy division, where he won his first match via mounted ezekiel choke and his second match with a beautifully timed mounted triangle after scoring eleven unanswered points.

In his first tournament representing the Gracie Barra Northridge academy, Caio Vinicius went 6-1 in Memphis, winning gold in the open class and taking silver in the heavyweight division. The female open class champion was Marcia Figueiredo of GF Team. Marcia also competed in the middleweight division, where she took second to Thamires Monteiro of CheckMat. 

2022 Pan No-Gi Champion Pedro Rocha was the no-gi absolute champion in Memphis. Pedro had two victories in the open class to take gold. Athletes who placed first in gi and no-gi included Yan Paiva (ultra heavy gi. middleweight no-gi) and Thamires Monteiro (middleweight gi & no-gi, open class no-gi).

2023 Memphis Open team results:

1. Gracie Barra

2. Pedigo Submission Fighting

3. Alliance

2023 Memphis Open No-Gi team results

1. CheckMat

2. Zenith BJJ

3. Team Jucao