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2026 Pan No-Gi Announcement

The 2026 Pan No-Gi event has drawn an outstanding collection of the world’s top No-Gi athletes. The jiu-jitsu community spotlight focuses on the New Jersey event as athletes from around the world descend into the Pan No-Gi arena.

 

Take a look at the 2026 Pan No-Gi | Black Belt Athlete List article to preview the highlight athletes taking the mat this weekend. For a complete look at the 2026 Pan No-Gi divisions and brackets, visit bjjcompsystem.

 

Here we take a look at the standout Pan No-Gi brackets including the top athletes and potential matchups. With so many outstanding divisions and competitors, the selection process could have varied in multiple ways and in no way encompasses the competition’s full-spectrum of talent.

2026 Pan No-Gi Standout Bracket Breakdown

Male, Black, Light-Featherweight

Bracket Begins: Saturday 10/03, 11:02am

The light-featherweight division may be the most competitive black belt bracket of the event. Former World No-Gi Champions clash with talented athletes ascending the 136lb ranks. The seventeen-competitor bracket is loaded with talent and is drawing significant recognition ahead of the event.

 

• Edwin ‘Junny’ Ocasio out of Unity Jiu-Jitsu receives the top-seed. Junny is a decorated competitor as a former European No-Gi Champion, 2x Pan No-Gi Champion, and World No-Gi Champion. Junny blends strong top pressure with intricate leg attacks to form a dangerous competition style. 
• Vinicius Inacio draws the #2 seed as the returning Pan No-Gi Champion and reigning European No-Gi Champion. Vinicius is a tactician in every sense of the word. His leg entanglements and guard play are world-class and his strategy is top-tier. 
• Carlos ‘Bebeto’ Oliveira garners the #5 seed as a former No-Gi World Champion. Bebeto represents another strong guard player and dangerous submission hunter.
• John Stapleton is the #3 seed as a former Pan No-Gi Champion and European No-Gi runner-up.
• Luan Martiniano of Gracie Barra makes his brown belt No-Gi debut as a bright prospect ready to climb the black belt ranks.

 

The 136lb division is full of exciting athletes who are prepared to put it all on the line. Seventeen athletes clash with a Pan No-Gi title hanging in the balance. Watch it all unfold live on the FloGrappling stream.

 

Male, Black, Middleweight

Bracket Begins: Saturday 10/03, 12:14pm

The jiu-jitsu community’s standout bracket. A fascinatingly stacked middleweight division represents the elite talent at the Pan No-Gi event. The depth of world-class athletes in the 175lb division is astonishing. The male black belt middleweight division may be the most anticipated bracket of the entire Grand Slam event. 

World No-Gi Champions, returning Pan No-Gi Champions, global stars, rising talents, and proven veterans are among the twenty-three competitors that encompass the middleweight division. The bracket is brimming with champions from around the world while also carrying some dark horses who could break through this weekend.

 

• Tarik Hopstock enters as the #1 seed. One of Norway’s top athletes, Tarik is the reigning middleweight European No-Gi, Brasileiro No-Gi, and World No-Gi Champion. Tarik has secured three straight No-Gi Grand Slam event titles, and is now two major events away from securing the prestigious No-Gi Grand Slam distinction. 
  • Read about his journey in the 2026 Pan No-Gi | Tarik Hopstock’s Grand Slam Chase article.
• Marcelo Fausto is the returning Pan No-Gi Champion and reigning World No-Gi silver medalist.
• Kieran Kichuk is a proven veteran with vast major event experience against elite opponents.
• Max Hanson is a 2024 Pan No-Gi Champion and 2025 runner-up.
• Eduardo Avelar has been on a tear with seven No-Gi gold medals throughout his 2025-2026 campaign. 
• Logan Smith represents a dangerous dark horse as the current World No-Gi bronze medalist and Pan No-Gi silver medalist.
• Jett Thompson is a young black belt who is steadily rising through the international ranks. 
• Elijah Dorsey is a proven champion in both Gi and No-Gi major events who understands winning at the highest level.
• Matheus Moraes, Natan Sap, and Saul Viayra embody veteran presence and elite ability as they look to shake up the bracket with standout performances.

 

The middleweight division boasts an insane depth of talent and projects to deliver thrilling matchups from round one until the finals. Don’t miss a moment of the action by tuning in to the exclusive FloGrappling live stream!

 

Male, Black, Medium-Heavy

Bracket Begins: Saturday 10/03, 12:38pm

The medium-heavyweight division has a clear-cut favorite, yet an outstanding group of elite athletes have assembled to vie for the title. A hyper-concentrated fourteen-competitor bracket boasts global stars, veteran champions, and rising prospects.

 

• Pawel Jaworski is the #1 ranked No-Gi male athlete in the world. He is the reigning European No-Gi, Brasileiro No-Gi, World No-Gi, and Pan No-Gi Champion. The Poland-native also holds two absolute major event titles, and remains one of the most feared pound-for-pound competitors in the sport. The Academia Gorila standout needs no explanation for his top-seed in the Pan No-Gi medium-heavyweight division.
  • Read about Pawel’s spectacular journey in the 2026 Pan No-Gi | Pawel Continues Grand Slam Pursuit article.

Chasing the young star is an incredible collection of world-class competitors. 

• Alehander Mariano snags the #2 seed as a former Pan No-Gi Champion and dangerous competitor.
• David Garmo brings years of experience to the major event mats as a former Brasileiro No-Gi Champion.
• Natan Chueng understands winning at the highest level as another former Pan No-Gi Champion and reigning Gi Worlds silver medalist.
• Alan Sanchez is a 10th Planet standout who remains a serious contender in the 188lb division.
• Luan Veras is making his black belt debut after excelling on the major event stage throughout his color belt career. 

 

The medium-heavyweight division possesses a number of intriguing storylines. Pawel Jaworski’s Grand Slam pursuit remains the top headline, yet the talented horde of potential champions is drawing global attention. Stay tuned to the FloGrappling live stream to catch all the 188lb action.

 

Male, Black, Open Class

The Pan No-Gi open class division will undoubtedly deliver fascinating action. The contenders are unknown for now, but an early preview provides an interesting look into what promises to be a stacked bracket. Here are some projected open class athletes.

 

• Devhonte Johnson is a former No-Gi World Champion and the #1 ultra-heavyweight at the event. He remains a significant threat to clean out an open class division.
• Pawel Jaworski has proven his open class prowess with Brasileiro No-Gi and European No-Gi open class titles in his rookie season.
• Wallisson Oliveira is a former No-Gi World Champion who has moved up in weight for this year’s Pan No-Gi.
• Jacob Couch is a bit of a question mark, who has shown the ability to run through brackets in the past. 
• Dark horses would include some slightly smaller competitors such as Max Hanson, Jett Thompson, Eduardo Avelar, and Elijah Dorsey.

 

The open class division is sure to present world-class jiu-jitsu however the brackets align. Keep an eye on Pawel as he is in the midst of a phenomenal run on the major event circuit, while plenty of proven champions prepare to make their claim to the open class throne. Tune in to FloGrappling for the exclusive live stream of the event.

 

Female, Black, Lightweight

Bracket Begins: Saturday 10/03, 11:26am

The highlight female Pan No-Gi bracket. The lightweight division is a concise but extremely talented division with highlight-worthy athletes. Nine legitimate contenders comprise the 136lb weight class, with a few standout athletes leading the way.

 

• Lillian Marchand enters the bracket as the #1 seed and reigning Gi and No-Gi World Champion. As a rookie black belt, Lillian secured both World titles and continues to represent the pinnacle of the sport. Her style is exciting, her technique is precise, and her mentality draws international recognition. The Canadian black belt is in the beginning stages of what projects to be a truly special career.
• The reigning Pan No-Gi lightweight Champion, Caroline Brunacio, is back to defend her title. The rising talent from Pyramide Grappling Association continues to elevate her game and take out elite opponents.
• Amanda Bruse represents a dangerous contender in the lightweight division. The former Pan No-Gi Champion has extensive experience on the major event stage, and certainly has the talent to capture the title.
• Valentina Pena is the division’s #4 seed as a rookie black belt. Valentina dominated the No-Gi Grand Slam circuit throughout the color belts, and immediately made her presence known at Brasileiro No-Gi by securing a silver medal.
• Zara Tofano of ECJJA returns to Pan No-Gi as a legitimate contender and reigning silver medalist at the event.

 

The female lightweight bracket is composed of nine contenders who have set their sights on the Pan No-Gi throne. The division’s top-ranked athletes have the experience and ability to put on a beautiful performance, while the dark horses maintain the talent to shock the world. Visit the FloGrappling stream to witness all the action live.

 

Female, Black, Middleweight

Bracket Begins: Saturday 10/03, 11:50am

The Pan No-Gi female middleweight division projects to deliver intense action. The five-competitor division makes up for size with outstanding talent. Each of the five athletes are extremely active on the international competition stage, and represent the top-tier of the sport.

 

• Nadia Frankland earns the top-seed in the division. The former Pan No-Gi Champion, World No-Gi silver medalist, and reigning European double-bronze winner is back on the major event stage with clear ambition. Nadia remains one of the very best Australian athletes in the world, and continues to prove her ability against elite opponents. 
• Sarah Galvao secures the #3 seed in the 147lb weight class. Sarah needs little introduction following her spectacular rookie Gi campaign that witnessed her secure four major event titles. Sarah also demonstrated her prowess in No-Gi as she returns to the event as the reigning Pan No-Gi middleweight Champion.
• Julia Maele of OXY is the #2 seed in the weight class. Julia is the most experienced competitor in the division with years of intense battles on the major event circuit. The former European No-Gi Champion has constructed a balanced game which is undoubtedly prepared for a tough bracket.
• Amanda Schurtz and Naomi Sharp round out the standout division. Amanda is a former Brasileiro No-Gi Champion and Naomi is a tough competitor with the ability to upset the division favorites.

 

The female middleweight division prepares to clash with major event honors on the line. A potential final between ex-teammates Sarah Galvao and Nadia Frankland would be thrilling, however, the rest of the division is intent on claiming a piece of Pan No-Gi history. Witness all the action by tuning in to the exclusive FloGrappling live stream.

 

Female, Black, Open Class

The applicants for the 2026 Pan No-Gi female open class are unknown, however, it is not hard to predict a special bracket. An incredible collection of champions, bright prospects, and global stars are littered throughout the female weight classes. An early preview of the division reveals many top names and thrilling potential matchups. Here are some potential contenders for the female open class bracket.

 

• Helena Crevar would undoubtedly be a favorite to capture the open class title, yet there is uncertainty in her willingness to test the open class waters.
• Anabel Lopez stands out as a strong contender to take home the open class title. Anabel is a former European No-Gi, World No-Gi Champion, and current Pan No-Gi Champion, as well as the #1 seed in the heavyweight division.
• Sarah Galvao has proven her ability to challenge and beat larger opponents throughout the last calendar year. Her athleticism, precision, and winning mentality shine in the open class division.
• Lillian Marchand is no stranger to open class competition. Yes the lightweight competitor would give a lot of size, but for the reigning Gi and No-Gi World Champion, the title still seems well within reach.
• The dark horse has to be Martyna Kapuscinska from Academia Gorila. She secured brown belt double-gold in the last No-Gi World Championships, and a bronze in the Brasileiro No-Gi open class division this year. If you haven’t heard of the young Polish athlete, circle her name now.
• Fellow potential threats to capture the open class title would include Nadia Frankland, Maria Ruffatto, and Maria Fragoso. 

 

This unofficial open class preview highlights the fascinating potential matchups of the division. The female divisions are loaded with world-class talent, which projects to translate to an intense open class bracket. Tune in to FloGrappling for the exclusive live stream of the event.

 

The entire 2026 Pan No-Gi event represents the insane depth of talent in contemporary jiu-jitsu. Each weight class contains its own storylines, elite competitors, and projects outstanding action. Ensure you don’t miss a moment of Pan No-Gi action by tuning in to the exclusive FloGrappling live stream.