The first No-Gi major event of the season just wrapped up action in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Brasileiro No-Gi event witnessed standout athletes deliver highlight performances to capture major event gold. Elisabeth Clay and Pawel Jaworski each earned double-gold honors, and headlined a talent rich field that supplied thrilling action. Each black belt adult champion was challenged by high-level opposition, making their triumph all the more celebrated.

 

Male Divisions

 

Gerardo San Martin

The rookie black belt secured the first major title of his career with a two-fight triumph at Brasileiro No-Gi. Gerardo claimed an opening round armbar victory before securing his title with a rear-naked-choke finish in the finals. The NS Brotherhood athlete received his black belt in January and immediately made waves on the No-Gi Grand Slam circuit. The young athlete projects to have a promising career ahead of him, as the jiu-jitsu community witnessed the blossoming of a No-Gi champion. 

 

Bernardo Mastrangelo

The light-featherweight champion delivered an incredibly technical and exciting stylistic performance over the weekend. The Nova União athlete consistently threatened his opponents with relentless leglocking threats, specifically through an intriguing blend of passing techniques leading directly into leg entanglements. Bernardo found success in leaping from Toreando style passing into a saddle, or cross-ashi, leg configuration and immediately threatening with heel hook finishes. For younger athletes or competitors aspiring to improve their lower body submission systems, Bernardo certainly displayed elite level skill in the area.

 

Lucas Canto

The Argentinian athlete representing Cohab Chile claimed his breakthrough moment in Rio de Janeiro. Lucas Canto claimed the first major event title of his career after securing podium placements at the event the past two years. Lucas claimed four victories including a finals victory over the always tough Felipe Machado. Lucas seems to be building momentum throughout his career, with 2026 serving as a potential breakout campaign for the young talent.

 

Julian Espinosa 

The Renzo Gracie standout captured the lightweight Brasileiro No-Gi title utilizing an array of high-level techniques. In one of the best all-around displays of skill, Julian was able to secure wins via leglocks, front-headlocks, and sweeping/passing points. Julian earned the second Brasileiro No-Gi title of his career and remains one of the very best no-gi athletes in the lightweight division. 

 

Tarik Hopstock

The Norwegian athlete secured four victories in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil en route to earning the middleweight Brasileiro No-Gi title. Tarik’s guardplay appeared sharp, as he threatened sweep and backtake opportunities with regularity. The Frontline competitor has proven his ability to contend with elite opposition through numerous major events, furthering his championship experience and confidence. The reigning middleweight European and World Champion surely has his sights set on another dominant campaign in 2026.

 

Pawel Jaworski

Pawel Jaworski has maintained an incredible level since joining the black belt ranks in December 2024. Pawel enters the 2026 No-Gi season as the reigning medium-heavyweight Pan, European, and World Champion. The Academia Gorila standout also delivered outstanding open class performances that witnessed him podium at all three of those major events. At the 2026 Brasileiro No-Gi event, Pawel Jaworski secured four submissions in the medium-heavyweight, each coming by way of submission. Unsatisfied, Pawel returned to action in the open class division with another four resounding victories to claim his double-gold triumph. Pawel has proven himself to be one of the very best leglockers in the world, however, he was able to showcase various submission systems from his back including a straight armlock attempt that led to a triangle finish. Pawel is certainly one of the most exciting no-gi grapplers in the world, and a proven finisher with another 100% submission rate through eight matches in absolute and weight class competition. 

 

Gabriel Brod

Another outstanding leglocker submitted his way through the heavyweight division at the 2026 Brasileiro No-Gi. Gabriel Brod secured three submissions en route to securing his second title at the event. The Gracie Barra athlete showcased the proven guard play and thrilling submission ability that earned him a silver medal at the last No-Gi World Championship event. Gabriel has commenced his 2026 No-Gi season with resounding success, as he aims to build momentum ahead of what projects to be another deep World Championship run this year. 

 

Rafael Trabuco 

Another Gracie Barra standout delivered an incredible performance en route to earning gold and silver medals in Rio de Janeiro. Rafael enters his second season at the black belt level, and immediately captures the second Brasileiro No-Gi title of his career. Rafael secured three submission victories to earn the super-heavyweight title including an opening round armbar, and a pair of rear naked choke victories. Rafael’s finals victory over Elioenai Braz represents a dominant win over a reigning World bronze medalist, proving the young Gracie Barra representative’s immense talent. Rafael earned another three victories in the absolute division to claim his place on the podium, falling only to Pawel Jaworski in the open class finals. Rafael remains one of the most exciting talents within the Brazilian circuit, as he claims another Brasileiro No-Gi title.

 

Pedro Alex

Tata Fight Team athlete, Pedro Alex, secured three victories and the ultra-heavyweight Brasileiro No-Gi title.  Pedro has been a proven force on the Grand Slam circuit in both Gi and No-Gi competition for many years. His physicality, strategy, and technique combine to create a serious threat in the ultra-heavyweight division. Pedro projects to be a prime contender across the remaining major events in the 2026 No-Gi season.

 

Female Divisions

 

Claudiane Costa

GF Team athlete Claudiane Costa secured her first Brasileiro No-Gi title at the black belt level this past weekend. Claudiane secured two victories en route to earning her gold medal, beginning her run with a forty-second rear-naked-choke finish in the quarterfinals. Claudiane then defeated Jessica Caroline in just under one minute with another choke from the back, before claiming the gold medal over her teammate Barbara Souza. Claudiane appeared aggressive, confident, and technical through two matches against high-level opponents. GF Team certainly has an exciting talent who seems to be nearing her prime form after a dominant Brasileiro No-Gi performance.

 

Thaynara Victoria

Thaynara returned to major competition, in No-Gi this time, following her World Championship bronze medal finish just a few weeks ago. The Aspire to Inspire standout secured a pair of submission finishes to claim the featherweight Brasileiro No-Gi gold medal. Thaynara showcased a highly technical and devastating leg entanglement system that resulted in toe hold and heel hook finishes. The triumph represents Thaynara’s inaugural major event title in No-Gi competition, marking a significant feat in her blossoming career.

 

Ana Queiroz

BJJ College standout Ana Queiroz secured the lightweight Brasileiro No-Gi title in Rio de Janeiro. Ana commenced her gold medal run with a rear-naked-choke finish in under ninety seconds, before taking out the division’s top-seed in the semifinals. She proceeded to capture the title with a beautiful armbar finish that came from a transition off the back, displaying her remarkable submission ability yet again. The rookie black belt has started her 2026 No-Gi season with a highlight performance, garnering well-deserved recognition surrounding her future major competition outings.

 

Elisabeth Clay

The reigning double gold No-Gi World Champion returned to the No-Gi Grand Slam circuit this past weekend. Elisabeth showcased phenomenal skill across five matches in both middleweight and open class competition. The Six Blades athlete commenced her double-gold campaign with an advantage victory over Maria Carolina. She went on to secure a wonderful finish against Injana Goodman in the middleweight finals, where she utilized an untraditional gogoplata system to claim her first gold medal. Elisabeth secured a toe hold finish, advantage victory, and straight ankle lock submission to add an open class title to her weekend performance. In her first Brasileiro No-Gi outing, Elisabeth proved why she remains one of the top pound-for-pound female No-Gi athletes in the world. The Six Blades phenom is sure to showcase her remarkable submission game leading up to another No-Gi World Championship run this season.

 

Martyna Kapuscinska

The Academia Gorila athlete made a significant statement in her black belt debut. Martyna Kapuscinska enters the 2026 No-Gi season after securing a No-Gi World Championship at the brown belt level in December, and certainly exceeded expectations this weekend. Martyna submitted two of her three opponents in the medium-heavyweight division to secure the first of what projects to be many No-Gi Grand Slam event titles. Martyna showcased great skill with heel hook and choi-bar finishes, and displayed strong positional awareness in a two-point finals victory over Gabriela Miranda. Martyna is certainly one of the most exciting rookie black belts in the sport, as she projects to deliver many outstanding major event performances throughout her promising career.

 

Ingridd Alves

A familiar face topped the female heavyweight podium at the Brasileiro No-Gi event. Ingridd Alves representing AGR Jiu-Jitsu captured a pair of victories to secure the major event title. Ingridd has proven to be an elite competitor throughout her past two Gi seasons, and displayed true talent this past weekend in No-Gi major action. Ingridd defeated Nia Blackman, a reigning No-Gi Worlds silver medalist, and Thayene Lira, the reigning Brasileiro No-Gi heavyweight champion. Ingridd consistently delivers strong positional skills and a dangerous submission arsenal, as she continues to be a significant threat at any event she enlists in.

 

Milena Lima

A Brandao Jiu-Jitsu standout returned to the Brasileiro No-Gi event after securing double-gold at the event in the brown belt division last year. Milena Lima continued her success in Rio de Janeiro, as she captured her first major event title at the black belt level. Milena began her gold medal run with a dominant twenty-point head-and-arm choke finish to secure her finals placement. She proceeded to capture the ultra-heavyweight title with seventeen unanswered points, marking a dominant run to her first major No-Gi title.