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2026 Pan No-Gi Announcement

The 20th edition of Pan No-Gi is nearly here. With registration closed, the jiu-jitsu community has an up-to-date look at the top athletes, returning champions, and division newcomers. Pan No-Gi consistently brings top athletes to the blue and yellow mats for intense competition under the bright lights of an IBJJF major event. 

 

The 2026 Pan No-Gi is set for October 2nd and 3rd, live from Secaucus, New Jersey. Stay tuned to official IBJJF channels for analysis on major Pan No-Gi storylines including a look at top prospects in action, Pawel Jaworski's Grand Slam journey, and the must-watch black belt divisions. For now, let's preview some of the standout black belt athletes ahead of the big weekend.

 

2026 Pan No-Gi | Highlight Athlete List 

 

Pawel Jaworski

• World No-Gi Champion
• Pan No-Gi Champion
• Brasileiro No-Gi Champion
• European No-Gi Champion

Pawel Jaworski is amongst the top pound-for-pound No-Gi athletes in the world. The Academia Gorila standout boasts one of the most formidable guards in contemporary jiu-jitsu. Seemingly impassable and dangerous, Pawel eyes another major title behind his fascinating ground game.

 

Helena Crevar

• World No-Gi Champion

One of the brightest stars on the female competition scene steps back into the spotlight. Helena Crevar has consistently delivered thrilling title runs since the juvenile rank, and now projects to claim the super-heavyweight Pan No-Gi title. 

 

Tarik Hopstock

• World No-Gi Champion
• European No-Gi Champion
• Brasileiro No-Gi Champion

The reigning Middleweight World, Brasileiro, and European No-Gi Champion returns to the Grand Slam stage. As one of Norway’s most accomplished athletes, Tarik is strong in every position with a pace that overwhelms his opponents.

 

Lillian Marchand

• World No-Gi Champion
• World Champion
• Pan Champion

Lillian’s black belt career has gone beautifully through her first full year. Lillian has a proven ability to elevate her game on big stages as a Gi & No-Gi World Champion. The Atos standout is quickly asserting herself as one of the top Canadian jiu-jitsu representatives and all-around female athletes in the world.

 

Sarah Galvão

• Pan No-Gi Champion
• Brasileiro Champion
• European Champion
• 2x Pan Champion

Sarah Galvão’s rookie campaign delivered fascinating storylines and showcased her elite capability. Five Grand Slam event titles between Gi and No-Gi competition have set the bar incredibly high for the young black belt who already claims the #3 rank in the female black belt category.

 

Devhonte Johnson

• World No-Gi Champion
• 2x Pan No-Gi Champion
• European No-Gi Champion

Devhonte boasts an intimidating frame with fascinating athleticism. An experienced grappler who understands how to win in multiple ways, Devhonte remains a frightening opponent at ultra-heavyweight.

 

Andre Galvão

• IBJJF Hall-of-Famer
• 5x World Champion
• 9x Pan Champion
• 2x European Champion

Andre Galvao returns to the IBJJF after six years away from the blue and yellow competition mats. A man who needs little introduction, Andre has consistently performed at an elite level since 2006. Now the leader of Atos Jiu-Jitsu prepares to step back into the spotlight of an IBJJF Grand Slam event. Andre enlisted in the super-heavyweight division for Pan No-Gi. 

 

Edwin ‘Junny’ Ocasio

• World No-Gi Champion
• 2x Pan No-Gi Champion
• 2x European No-Gi Champion

Junny showcased a dynamic style that consistently delivers thrilling matches. High-level guard play and a dangerous submission arsenal make for a must-watch competitor.

 

Carlos ‘Bebeto’ Oliveira

• World Champion
• World No-Gi Champion
• Pan Champion
• Pan No-Gi Champion

Bebeto is an elite technician who has proven his ability on the biggest stages. Equally talented in Gi and No-Gi competition, Bebeto has his sights set on another Pan No-Gi title.

 

Anabel Lopez

• World No-Gi Champion
• Pan No-Gi Champion
• European No-Gi Champion

Anabel is an imposing force in the female heavyweight division. Elite standing ability and guard passing highlight the British-Spanish athlete's game. Anabel is in the prime of her career and chasing major event titles.

 

Vinicius Inacio

• Pan No-Gi Champion
• European No-Gi Champion

Vinicius is technical, tactical, and cerebral on the mats. His balanced style features slick back attacks and strong leg lock systems.

 

Max Hanson

• Pan No-Gi Champion

A well-rounded, balanced competitor. Strong fundamental attacks with high-level finishing mechanics and tactical awareness. Max has competed against the best on the biggest stages.

 

Marcelo Fausto

• Pan No-Gi Champion

The reigning Middleweight Pan No-Gi Champion and World No-Gi silver medalist is back. Marcelo blends strong positional jiu-jitsu with an elite submission arsenal. 

 

Amanda Bruse

• Pan No-Gi Champion

Amanda is an experienced competitor with a balanced game. Since earning her black belt in 2023, Amanda has secured podium placements at all three World No-Gi events at the highest level. Amanda is a part of the highly-anticipated female lightweight division that boasts multiple elite athletes.

 

Elijah Dorsey

• European Champion

Elijah is back in the major event hunt. An experienced, cerebral, and technical competitor who brings high-level athletcism into a dangerous middleweight division. The Team Lloyd Irvin standout pushes the pace and consistently delivers thrilling matches.

 

Caroline Brunacio

• Pan No-Gi Champion

The reigning lightweight Pan No-Gi Champion and World No-Gi bronze medalist, Caroline continues to elevate her game. Entering the prime of her career, Caroline has her sights set on repeated success at Pan No-Gi.

 

Natan Chueng

• Pan No-Gi Champion

Natan has competed against the best in the world on the biggest stages. Equally talented in Gi and No-Gi competition, Natan recently secured a World Championship silver medal. 

 

Nadia Frankland

• Pan No-Gi Champion

Nadia is one of the brightest female Australian talents in the sport. Her balanced game and strong submission arsenal make her a dangerous threat on the No-Gi Grand Slam circuit.

 

Owen Jones

A fascinating prospect on the global No-Gi circuit, Owen has shown the ability to compete with world-class opposition. His guard play and leg lock arsenal pose a dangerous threat to anyone in the lightweight division.

 

Martyna Kapuscinska

• Brasileiro No-Gi Champion

A rookie black belt who has displayed world-class talent, Martyna capped off her 2025 season with a double-gold brown belt World No-Gi performance. She immediately began her black belt career with a Brasileiro No-Gi title, proving her elite level.

 

João Assonitis

• João has claimed four No-Gi Open Circuit gold medals in 2026, and is coming off his Brasileiro No-Gi silver medal performance. He is aggressive, technical, experienced, and hungry to win his first major event title. João has secured a pair of bronze medals in his last two Pan No-Gi outings.

 

Eduardo Avelar

Eduardo brings a wave of momentum into the Pan No-Gi event. Boasting six gold medals on the 2026 Open Circuit, Eduardo recently secured an American National No-Gi title in Las Vegas. Eduardo has secured a silver and bronze medal in the last two editions of Pan No-Gi, as he competes within the absolutely stacked male middleweight division in New Jersey.

 

Jacob Couch

A fascinating athlete with an uptempo style. Jacob utilizes strong guard play highlighted by his footlock arsenal. Jacob returns to the Grand Slam spotlight after some time away.

 

Kieran Kichuk

Kieran represents veteran experience and precise technique. Kieran remains a significant force in the middleweight division behind his strong guard play and unique submission capability.

 

Emily Leyva

A rookie black belt who secured all four Gi Grand Slam titles at the brown belt division in 2026, Emily also showed her No-Gi prowess with three major titles in 2025. Emily is one of the brightest prospects entering the black belt category.

 

Valentina Pena

Valentina secured Brasileiro No-Gi silver in her first black belt major event earlier this season. A brown belt Brasileiro No-Gi and European No-Gi Champion, Valentina aims at claiming Pan No-Gi gold.

 

Grayson Henley 

Grayson has won major titles at each color belt level. Now as a black belt, Grayson aims at proving himself with his first Grand Slam event title.

 

The athlete list for the 2026 Pan No-Gi is creating a buzz around the community. Rising talents and proven stars are preparing to clash for No-Gi Grand Slam event honors. Ensure you tune in to FloGrappling for the exclusive live-stream of the event, and follow official IBJJF channels for continued updates surrounding the prestigious Pan No-Gi competition.