A rising crop of phenomenal athletes demonstrated the profound depth of talent within the purple belt division. Spectators at the 2026 Pans were captivated by the exceptional technical skill, strategic brilliance, and physical prowess exhibited by the division's top contenders. European Champions, emerging talents, and established prospects converged in Kissimmee, Florida, all vying for a major championship title and the prestigious recognition as a Pan Champion. The most exceptional competitors seized the Pan spotlight, unequivocally establishing their elite capabilities on this grand platform.

 

Kellyson Carlos

An exceptional young talent representing CheckMat has cemented his status as a premier prospect in the purple belt division. Kellyson Carlos secured his second major title of the season, dominating both the Pan and European Championship events. In a lightweight division featuring forty accomplished contenders, Kellyson maintained his position as the top-ranked athlete from his entrance through his exit. His flawless four-match progression to the gold medal brilliantly highlighted his scrambling proficiency and superior tactical understanding. His approach focused heavily on asserting dominance in both the standing exchanges and passing sequences. Kellyson initiated his Pans campaign with a decisive lapel choke submission in under four minutes, followed by a redemption victory over Evan Duncan in the quarterfinals. A thrilling finals clash against Damiano Grillo underscored the division's extraordinary level of skill. The two promising competitors exchanged dynamic attacks both standing and on the ground, relentlessly pursuing the Pans title until Kellyson overwhelmed Damiano, culminating in an 8-2 victory. The CheckMat representative reaffirmed his steadfast resolve and technical ability on his path to claiming a second Grand Slam event gold medal this season. His exceptional performances have generated significant, well-merited recognition as he presses forward with sights set on a Brasileiro title.

 

India Risby

Atos Jiu-Jitsu proudly presents one of the brightest prospects in the female jiu-jitsu scene. India Risby stands as the current #1 ranked female purple belt globally, having amassed three major championship titles prior to her entry into Pans contention. Her elite purple belt ascendancy commenced at the 2025 World Championships where she captured middleweight gold, making an undeniable declaration of her skill. Progressing into the current season, the Atos representative delivered a phenomenal double-gold showing at the European Championships, further solidifying her supremacy over the purple belt division. India brilliantly captivated the Pans audience, securing her second major championship double-gold performance with overwhelming effectiveness. Across three matches in her weight category and three in the open class, she secured a total of four submissions. Following her decisive command of the middleweight bracket, highlighted by a staggering 100% submission rate, India introduced her formidable skill set to the absolute division. She launched her absolute run with a deep triangle that compelled her opponent to flee the competition area, resulting in a disqualification victory. India subsequently submitted her semifinal adversary before conquering the super-heavyweight champion in the final round. Across the two 2026 grand slam events, India boasts a flawless 14-0 record against the top purple belt competitors. She has sustained her world-class level, exhibiting decisive control over the middleweight division while consistently delivering resounding performances. The well-deserved recognition she continues to garner only heightens the excitement for her next major competitive outing.

 

Eiki Suzuki

Eiki Suzuki, representing Best Athletes Mighty Family, entered the 2026 Pans roosterweight division as the #2 seed. Eiki returned to major title contention following a near triumph at the European Championships where he secured a silver medal. Pans provided Eiki a prime platform to once again unleash his intricate guard techniques, with a notable focus on his aggressive leg entries and finishing sequences. His championship ascent began with two rapid straight ankle lock submissions, both achieved in approximately two-and-a-half minutes, launching him into a semifinal bout against Abdulla Alshaikhh. In what became Eiki’s sole points victory, he and Abdulla exchanged intense attacks until Eiki established control during the second half of the contest. Eiki ultimately secured the hard-fought victory with a score of 12-6 to cement his place in the roosterweight final. Facing Giovanni Saturno in the finals, Eiki dominated the encounter from the outset, establishing a seven-point lead before concluding the match with his third straight ankle lock submission of the day. Eiki’s sophisticated guard game and devastating footlock pressure have been demonstrated as lethal weapons across two challenging major events. The standout prospect is certain to leverage the powerful momentum he built at Pans to drive further grand slam achievements throughout the remainder of the 2026 gi season.

 

Natalee Funegra

Natalee Funegra, representing AOJ, captured her second major championship in 2026 while competing in the light-featherweight division. Mirroring her European title performance, Natalee showcased an offensive onslaught, distinguished by her submission-focused approach. She recorded two submissions across three matches, culminating in another dominant major event triumph. In the midst of her rookie season at the adult level, Natalee has swiftly made an impactful statement among the elite purple belts. Across her two grand slam event appearances, the young phenom maintains an unblemished record, securing four submission finishes and a total of seven victories. Following the esteemed path of her older sisters (Mia & Ashley Funegra) footsteps, Natalee is exceptionally well-positioned to sustain her commanding 2026 campaign, with ambitions of rapid advancement through the belt levels. Natalee stands as a distinctive young talent with a promising future, as she undoubtedly eyes a World Championship title in 2026.

 

Freddy Lele Talla

Freddy Lele Talla, another European Champion, returned to major competition with a commanding performance in the heavyweight division. Freddy recently relocated his training base to Costa Mesa, CA, to join the world-renowned AOJ team. His gold medal Pans run consisted of four victories, commencing with an impressive ninja choke submission in the opening round. He proceeded to defeat Camden Hinton in the quarterfinals, registering a dominant win by accumulating fifteen unanswered points. The AOJ prospect encountered the eventual open class champion in the semifinals, where he secured a critical four-point backtake with only fifteen seconds left, guaranteeing his spot in the heavyweight final. The gold medal match against Italo Poli proved to be a formidable challenge, with both elite competitors trading offense and maintaining a tied score until the final moments. Ultimately, Freddy secured the victory en route to claiming his second major championship title of the 2026 season. Freddy is scheduled to compete for the Brasileiro heavyweight title at the close of the month, unequivocally pursuing a clean sweep of the grand slam events in his purple belt journey.

 

Mia Montesinos

Mia Montesinos became the third Atos purple belt to achieve Pans glory during the first day of competition, reigning supremely in the lightweight division. As the top-seeded competitor, Mia immediately validated her elite technique with a rapid straight ankle lock submission in the opening round. Annabelle Christie emerged as a strong quarterfinal adversary, forcing a dynamic exchange of positions until Mia masterfully secured an armbar finish with thirty seconds left on the clock. Mia deployed her notorious guard game in the semifinals, achieving a rapid triangle-armbar submission in under a minute. Pairin Sullivan faced the Atos sensation in the finals, becoming the only competitor to withstand the full seven-minute duration. Ultimately, Mia Montesinos clinched the lightweight Pans title with a two-advantage victory. Following this stellar beginning to her 2026 campaign, Mia is slated for Brasileiro title contention as she searches for her third major title of the season.

 

Fernando Paiva

Fernando Paiva, representing AOJ, is rapidly acquiring significant recognition as a leading prospect in the purple belt division. His European Championship gold medal substantially heightened expectations for his Pans title campaign. Fernando navigated a challenging opening-round encounter against Kahlil Dominguez, securing an early two-point sweep to advance. Following a subsequent advantage victory, Fernando delivered his most breathtaking moment in the quarterfinals by submitting Alejandro Cordova with a flawlessly executed Peruvian necktie. The AOJ representative proceeded with a four-point semifinals victory over Guy Bershtein before confronting Gabriel Matos in the final. Fernando once more seized an immediate two-point advantage after his immediate guard pull, showcasing his superior tactical awareness. Clinching the gold medal match 2-0, Fernando reaffirmed his capacity to protect an early lead through commanding top control. The young competitor now holds two major titles in 2026 and is poised to challenge for his third at Brasileiros this month.

 

Isis Maciel

GF Team features a rapidly ascending young prospect in Isis Maciel. The featherweight sensation provided spectacular performances across five matches, successfully capturing her first major title of the 2026 season. Isis initiated her Pans title pursuit with a first-round triangle-armbar submission against Jonesy Jones. The GF Team representative then displayed masterful control before submitting Sierra Hoover with an armbar, advancing to the quarterfinals. Alexa Herse was the sole opponent to reach the full-duration against Isis, leading to a referee decision victory for the GF Team product. An electrifying semifinal clash with Noemie Gluck demonstrated the unyielding determination of Isis, as she rallied from a points deficit to execute a smother choke submission in the closing moments. Isis subsequently submitted Lara Haddad in the featherweight final via armbar, unequivocally cementing herself as an elite prospect in the purple belt division. Isis carries significant momentum into her forthcoming Brasileiro title bid, hoping to reassert her dominance as the world's premier featherweight at the purple belt level.

 

Luca Veras

Veras Academy claims an exciting, rising talent in the super-heavyweight division. Luca Veras exhibited impressive resilience across a grueling weight division and a highly challenging open class bracket against formidable adversaries. He initiated his Pans campaign with an armbar submission in the first round of the super-heavyweight competition. He went on to capture his gold medal with two closely contested advantage victories, emphasizing his powerful standing game and dominant top pressure. Luca then entered the open class title pursuit, competing among twenty-three accomplished athletes. Leveraging his precise back-taking skill, Luca secured a first-round lapel choke before delivering a decisive five-point victory in the quarterfinals. His dramatic confrontation with the ultra-heavyweight champion, Rodrigo Dantas, garnered distinct interest as the two titans exchanged high-impact offense. Luca achieved a spectacular victory via armbar to advance into the open class final. After incurring a visible leg injury in his journey, Luca’s mobility was understandably impaired, yet he concluded his run with extraordinary tenacity, earning an open class silver medal. The Veras Academy athlete showcased his phenomenal capabilities on his way to capturing two medals at the prestigious Pans championship.

 

Bia Alves

Bia Alves emerged as yet another elite female purple belt from the renowned Atos Jiu-Jitsu female team. She delivered a memorable performance in the medium-heavyweight division during the inaugural day of the 2026 Pans. Bia’s path to gold was characterized by her explosive submission game, where she finished all four opponents with deadly precision. The Atos competitor launched her campaign with a masterful loop choke finish, subsequently employing her signature armbar setup in the quarterfinals. Bia then submitted Myra Walker to secure her place in the final against the division's top-seeded athlete. Reverting to her highly effective closed guard offense, Bia secured the overhook and inverted to execute a spectacular armbar finish, clinching the medium-heavyweight gold. Bia’s triumph at Pans is her first major title at the purple belt level, which will undeniably fuel the young prospect’s confidence as she heads into the latter half of her gi season.

 

Oliver Silvestro

Oliver Silvestro put forth a staggering display across nine total matches in both the heavyweight and open class divisions. Fellow standout performer, Freddy Lele Talla, served as an impenetrable barrier in the heavyweight semifinals, resulting in a bronze medal for Oliver. Advancing to the open class competition, the High Rollers athlete appeared determined to conquer the profoundly skilled bracket. His initial three bouts in the absolute category saw the rising prospect claim three consecutive straight ankle lock finishes, validating his lethal submission repertoire. Oliver then faced the super-heavyweight champion in the finals for a high-stakes match with the gold medal on the line. His tenacity proved decisive, as he spent the majority of the match trailing, only to reverse the score with approximately forty-five seconds remaining. Oliver executed his spectacular guard game to secure a sweep and instantly mount his opponent, establishing a crucial four-point lead as time expired. Demonstrating masterful technique and an unwavering mindset, Oliver captured the open class title over a field stacked with elite purple belt competitors.

 

Lucas Yan

The current European double-gold champion returned for major title contention at the 2026 Pans. Lucas Yan of BJJ College entered the event committed to advancing his already exceptional campaign with middleweight gold. His opening-round encounter with Ethan Sample immediately showcased Lucas's elite technical mastery, as he amassed eleven unanswered points before securing an armbar finish. The BJJ College athlete subsequently utilized his dynamic guard game to achieve a pair of points victories, setting the stage for a semifinal showdown with Leonardo da Costa. In a tightly contested duel, Lucas relied on his formidable top control and proven strategy to secure a two-point victory over a game opponent. To conclude his quest for the Pan title, Lucas squared off against Gabriel Guerrero in another demanding gold medal match. Ultimately, Lucas proved the effectiveness of his guard play by delivering a beautiful sweep to claim the middleweight title. Now holding three major event gold medals this season, Lucas is slated to vie for additional grand slam event distinction at Brasileiros.

 

Spectators witnessed an unrelenting series of high-level battles across all purple belt categories, confirming that the future of jiu-jitsu is in capable hands. These elite prospects delivered masterful performances throughout the tournament, brilliantly demonstrating the profound abilities of the sport's next generation of potential stars. For complete match replays featuring these phenomenal athletes and all purple belt competitors, visit FloGrappling.