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2026 European No-Gi Announcement

The 2026 European No-Gi has attracted a remarkable collection of world-class No-Gi athletes. The jiu-jitsu spotlight focuses on Rome, Italy for the year’s third major No-Gi event and the thirteenth edition of the European No-Gi Championships.

Let’s take a look at each of the nine male black belt weight divisions, including highlight athletes and distinct storylines. This condensed preview is incapable of encompassing the complete depth of talent the event offers, therefore head over to the Athletes List By Divisions for the full entry list. 

2026 Euro No-Gi Female Division Breakdowns

Light-Featherweight

A fascinating five-competitor light-featherweight division has assembled for the 2026 European No-Gi event. Thaís Loureiro enters as the division favorite and #7 overall ranked No-Gi female athlete. Thaís is the reigning roosterweight European No-Gi and World No-Gi Champion and a proven veteran on many major event stages in both Gi and No-Gi competition. Claudiane Lima enters the event following her 2026 Brasileiro No-Gi title run. Michal Baly of Nxtgen Jiu-Jitsu is an exciting rookie black belt that consistently delivered exciting performances throughout her color belt tenure. Mara Kelly is a former European No-Gi Champion, two-time Pan No-Gi bronze medalist, and a World No-Gi bronze medalist. What the light-featherweight division lacks in size, it certainly makes up for with elite talent.

Featherweight

Jessica Crane and Josefine Modig headline the 124lb division. Josefine represents CheckMat and enters the event as a former World No-Gi, European No-Gi, and Pan No-Gi bronze medalist. Jessica Crane enters with similar experience as a two-time World No-Gi bronze medalist and former Pan No-Gi medalist. A potential finals between these two veterans would definitely draw attention as an intriguing matchup. 

Lightweight

The lightweight division projects to deliver remarkable action. Amanda Bruse enters as the favorite in a stacked division. The Corvus Grappling Collective athlete returns to the event after securing the silver medal in the last edition, while also boasting a recent Pan No-Gi title. Caroline Brunacio is consistently a dangerous competitor. The Piramide Grappling representative is a former Pan No-Gi Champion and reigning World No-Gi bronze medalist. Valentina Pena is an up-and-coming rookie black belt who showcased her skillset in an impressive 2026 Brasileiro No-Gi silver medal run. Zara Tofano, Priscila Batista, and Fiona Mortell are dark horses in a potentially thrilling bracket.

Middleweight

Injana Goodman leads a strong seven-competitor middleweight division. Injana represents Grapple Collective as a young, yet experienced athlete with elite talent. Injana is the reigning European No-Gi Champion and a Brasileiro No-Gi, World No-Gi, and Pan No-Gi medalist. Amanda Schurtz of ECJJA is a significant threat to take the title. Amanda is a former Brasileiro No-Gi Champion and reigning European No-Gi bronze medalist. Rosa Walsh of Essential Jiu-Jitsu is a former European No-Gi Champion and another reigning bronze medalist from the last edition. The division is deep with talented contenders who are set to clash for the major event title.
 

Medium-Heavyweight

Martyna Kapuscinska and Salla Simola headline the 157lb division. Martyna Kapuscinska is a rookie black belt who finalized her color belt career with a World No-Gi double-gold performance. Since receiving her black belt, Martyna has secured Brasileiro No-Gi and Pan No-Gi titles in dominant fashion. Salla Simola is the proven veteran champion in the division. Salla enters the division as the reigning champion, as well as a former Pan No-Gi and World No-Gi Champion. Salla and Martyna are projected to reach the finals, potentially setting the stage for an intense showdown. Jessika Torttila of Sigma is the division’s primary dark horse with major event podium experience.

Heavyweight

Nia Blackman, Maca Vicentini, and Denise Krahn stand out as potential favorites in the heavyweight division. Nia represents Arma as a multiple time European No-Gi and World No-Gi medalist. Nia is physical, athletic, and skilled in all areas of the game. AOJ’s Maca Vicentini is a veteran of major event competition, and enters the event as a 2023 European No-Gi Champion. Denise Krahn claimed her breakthrough moment at the 2025 European Gi Championships, as she aims to repeat that success in the No-Gi edition. Denise is a former World No-Gi Master 1 Champion, and a proven veteran with extensive major event experience.

For further athlete and bracket information, stay tuned to IBJJF News and the 2026 Euro No-Gi Event Guide. Be sure to login to FloGrappling for the exclusive Euro No-Gi livestream running from October 28th through November 1st.