Brasileiro features an elite assembly of black belts contending for Grand Slam status. Returning champions, division newcomers, the sport's biggest stars prepare to clash in an electric atmosphere in São Paulo, Brazil. Each weight division contains a distinct storyline presented through world-class competitors. Black belt action commences Saturday (5/2) and finishes with finals day on Sunday (5/3).

Roosterweight

The roosterweight division is slated to witness rising sensations amongst proven veteran presence. Yuri Silva, representing Brothers Club, enters the bracket as the top seed. In just his second full season at the black belt level, Yuri has proven his ability amongst the top roosterweights in the world. At 21 years old, the Brothers Club athlete is poised to fiercely contend for the 127lb Brasileiro title. Andrew Soares of Vision represents another young talent who continues to elevate his game. The 26 year old holds bronze medals at both the European and World Championship events, as he hopes to claim his first major title at the black belt level.  Welerson Goncalves stands as one of the most experienced competitors in the roosterweight division. Entering as the #2 seed, the Nova União athlete has a track record of strong performances at major events. Specifically at Brasileiros, Welerson holds four consecutive silver medal performances from 2021 to 2024. The 29 year old technician hopes to claim his first Grand Slam event title against an up-and-coming field. Oziel Santos of Fratres BJJ represents another veteran competitor with the experience to shake up the roosterweight bracket. Entering as the #3 seed, Oziel has claimed bronze medals in the last two editions of Brasileiros. Potential dark horses in the division bring strong upset potential from athletes such as Josue Braga and Welison Fernandes. The roosterweight division presents formidable athletes from varying timelines of their career. Is youthful energy or veteran experience going to shine in São Paulo?

 

Light-Featherweight

The 141lb division at Brasileiros is stacked with talent. Fans can expect elite level technique and nonstop action from a fascinating collection of the world’s top light-featherweight athletes. Diego Pato headlines the bracket as one of the top pound-for-pound competitors in the sport. The four-time World Champion and returning light-featherweight Brasileiro Champion sets his sights on furthering his dominant 2026 campaign. After securing the European title in resounding fashion, Pato returned to Pans, claiming four victories and a pair of submissions en route to a second major title this season. His Pan finals opponent, Shoya Ishiguro, also joins the Brasileiros bracket.  Shoya enters the division as the #2 seed with impressive performances at both Grand Slam events in 2026. Apart from his Pan silver medal Shoya earned a European bronze to begin his campaign, proving his ability remains among the sport’s top athletes. Alliance standout Rerisson Gabriel holds the #3 seed in the light-featherweight bracket. The former Pan Champion and European bronze medalist, Rerisson certainly has the ability to capture his first Brasileiro title. Anderson Duarte of Soldiers Jiu-Jitsu joins the talented light-featherweight division as the #4 seed. Anderson has secured silver medals in each of the last two editions of Brasileiros, certainly motivating him to capture a breakthrough moment in São Paulo this weekend. BJJ College competitor Yuri Hendrex enters as a former European Champion and Pan silver medalist. Yuri represents another athlete with the proven ability to intensely contend for the Brasileiro title. Dangerous competitors who will no doubt offer tough early round matchups include Gustavo Ogawa and Matheus Onda. Many of the athletes in the light-featherweight bracket have experience against one another, leading to intriguing storylines and potentially explosive confrontations.

 

Featherweight

The featherweight division is seemingly always bursting with talent at Grand Slam events. The 2026 Brasileiro is no exception to this with names such as João Bisnaga, Meyram Maquiné, and the Sodre brothers leading a supremely talented bracket. Bisnaga enters the bracket as the top-seed and reigning featherweight World Champion. His strong guard play creates challenges for anyone standing across from him. Meyram Maquiné returns to major title contention since his latest Worlds run ended in a narrow finals loss to Bisnaga. Meyram remains a two-time World Champion and former Pan, European, and Brasileiro Champion. The second seed in the featherweight division, Meyram always brings distinct energy to the arena as an explosive athlete with an exciting style. The #3 seed Diego Sodre joins his first Grand Slam event of the 2026 season.  Diego forged his breakout campaign in 2022 by capturing Pan silver and European gold.  His brother Alex Sodre claims the bracket’s fourth seed as a three-time Brasileiro silver medalist and former No-Gi World Champion. Sebastian Serpa and Giuliano Serpa take the respective fifth and sixth seeds, as consistently formidable opponents at major events. The featherweight division stands as one of the deepest brackets of the entire event with names such as Dudu Granzotto, Leonardo Ferreira, Thiago Ortiz, Danilo Moreira, Cleison Santos, and Kaua Gabriel entering title contention. The featherweight division guarantees to bring intense energy in São Paulo this weekend.

 

Lightweight

Andy Murasaki headlines the lightweight division entering the 2026 Brasileiro. The world gets their first look at Andy since his incredible Crown performance last December, where he captured the middleweight throne a second time. It is also his first performance since changing academies to AOJ, where he now shares the mats with an astounding number of world-class athletes. The four time World silver medalist and former No-Gi World Champion draws significant recognition for his 2026 debut and inaugural Brasileiro performance. Luiz Paulo of Kvra Top Team takes the #2 seed as a two-time Brasileiro silver medalist. Luiz has reached the podium at each of the last three Brasileiro editions, with hopes of breaking through in 2026. Julio Arantes of Vision represents a rising force in the lightweight division. The third seed at Brasileiros, Julio claimed his sole major podium appearance at the 2025 Pans. Ethan Major holds the #4 seed vying for his first major title at the black belt level. An explosive athlete who consistently delivers thrilling performances, Sandrey Silva, is back at Brasileiros to contend for his inaugural Grand Slam event gold. Rodrigo Mariani, Gilherme Rocha, Romulo Rocha, and Eduardo Roque represent fierce competitors aiming to shake up the lightweight bracket.

 

Middleweight

The middleweight division is under the rule of a definitive force from AOJ. Tainan Dalpra is back on the Grand Slam circuit in 2026 aiming to continue the success he has built at Pan and European Championship events. One of the most decorated athletes of his generation, Tainan completed the Grand Slam sweep last season, which included his second Brasileiro title. Known for razor-sharp technique and a unique finishing ability, fans are guaranteed a masterclass in jiu-jitsu from one of the top pound-for-pound athletes in the sport. His European finals opponent, Jose Steve, is back to compete for his inaugural Grand Slam event title. Jose remains in his rookie season at the black belt level, after securing a brown belt World Championship in 2025. He is slated for one of the most exciting opening round matchups of the event against Jonnatas Gracie. Jonnatas, representing AOJ, made his return to IBJJF competition at the Los Angeles Open merely a few weeks ago. Jose’s elusive and athletic style is opposed by Jonnatas’ pressure-heavy technique, in what is guaranteed to provide thrilling action. Gabriel Avila, Matheus Luna, and Yuri Rodrigues create depth for a strong middleweight division.

 

Medium-Heavyweight

The 195lb division is expected to be one of the most competitive brackets of the event. The European Champion, Eduardo Alves, is back in major title contention as the #1 seed. The rising sensation secured his inaugural Grand Slam event triumph in his first attempt. A rookie at the black belt level, Eduardo is garnering well-deserved attention for his soaring trajectory. Gabriel Galvão of Soldiers Jiu-Jitsu is fresh off of a strong open class run at Pans. Settling for the silver medal against his teammate, Gabriel Veloso, Galvão returns enters Brasileiro as the #2 ranked medium-heavyweight. Another Soldiers Jiu-Jitsu standout Alex Munis returns to Brasileiro after his 2024 bronze medal performance. Alex delivered a strong performance at Pans in March, capturing the silver medal in a tough medium-heavyweight division. Carlson Gracie athlete Uanderson Ferreira returns for redemption after claiming the bronze medal in the last edition of Brasileiros. Uanderson suffered an unfortunate injury at Pans, so his inclusion in the medium-heavyweight division is a welcomed sight for fans. Uanderson secured a second bronze medal at the European Championships this season, as he continues to vie for his first Grand Slam event title at black belt. Mikael Rhaillander takes the seventh seed, as an always dangerous competitor who seems to elevate his game each time he appears on the major circuit. Danylo Wruck represents another young, up-and-coming Alliance athlete with a bright future. A potential second round matchup between Gabriel Galvão and Danylo would surely excite the Brasileiro crowd. The medium-heavyweight division guarantees a collection of intense matchups and relentless action.

 

Heavyweight

One of the most anticipated divisions of the event offers a collection of the world’s premier heavyweight talents. Fellipe Andrew makes his awaited return to IBJJF competition. The 2023 World Champion and former Brasileiro Champion enters the heavyweight division as the top-seed. Known for incredible guard play and a devastating triangle system, Fellipe makes his return with high expectations. The reigning European Champion Leo Ferreira returns to Grand Slam title contention after securing his inaugural major championship in January. Leo secured the Brasileiro silver medal last year, and hopes to complete a redemption run in this edition. Rider Zuchi returns from his recent Pan silver medal performance, alongside his powerhouse teammate Igor Ribeiro. The Vetoraci brothers make their highly-anticipated return to Brasileiros. Former European Champion Davi Vetoraci claimed the silver medal in the last edition of Brasileiro. Matheus Vetoraci earned his second European silver medal earlier this season, and returns to Brasileiro after securing the bronze medal in 2025. Pedro Henrique, Mathias Luna, and Lucas Norat round out the top-ten seeds in the stacked heavyweight division.
 

Super-Heavyweight

The #1 globally ranked black belt is back in action at Brasilerios. Erich Munis, the six-time World Champion, represents an undeniable force in the super-heavyweight division. His return to Brasileiros creates tremendous excitement due to his double-gold performances in 2021 and 2025. His Soldiers Jiu-Jitsu teammate Vinicius Liberati is on an upward trajectory with impressive major event performances this season. After securing the European Championship, Vinicius claimed the Pan silver medal, falling to fellow super-heavyweight Nolan Stuart. Nolan Stuart takes the #2 seed in the Brasileiro bracket, following his second consecutive Pan triumph. The Brea Jiu-Jitsu product returns from a silver medal in the last edition of Brasileiro, as he hopes to continue a successful 2026 campaign. Harryson Pereira and Hygor Brito claim the four and five seeds respectively, as both athletes certainly possess the ability to contend for podium placement. The fourteen-competitor bracket is sure to provide fans with intense action as Erich Munis aims to fend off a talented field.

 

Ultra-Heavyweight

The Brasileiro ultra-heavyweight division contains an astonishing amount of world-class talent. Seif-Eddine is back from his European and Pan titles in 2026. Gutemberg Pereira is representing CheckMat at this edition of Brasileiros. His resume includes Brasileiro, Pan, and European Championships. Gabriel Veloso of Soldiers Jiu-Jitsu returns to major title contention after claiming both Pan and European open division titles this season. Luis Cantareira and Pedro Lucas provide experience and the proven ability to make a run to the ultra-heavyweight podium. Anderson Kauan is fresh off an impressive Pan performance that witnessed him secure silver. Pedro ‘Bom Bom’ Alex remains a tough opponent for anyone, while Guilherme Avelino continues to progress his game as a young Alliance product. Adrian Roberto, the 2025 brown belt World Champion, makes his black belt debut amongst a stacked lineup of the top ultra-heavyweights in the world. Powerful action and ferocious duels are guaranteed to come throughout the ultra-heavyweight bracket at Brasileiros.

 

Watch full-length matches from the top global black belts live on FloGrappling.