A spectacular assembly of brown belts is set to compete for Brasileiro titles in São Paulo, Brazil. Days seven and eight of the 2026 Brasileiros will showcase the exceptional talent in the brown belt category, featuring many of the sport’s top prospects.

 

Alex Vazquez

AOJ brown belt standout, Alex Vazquez, returns to major title contention in the featherweight division at Brasileiros. Alex is in the midst of an exceptional season in which he has claimed Pan and European Championship titles. Beginning in Europe, the young prospect delivered a remarkable performance, including five wins with four submissions. He then captured his second consecutive Pan championship at the brown belt level with four commanding victories in featherweight competition. A well-balanced competitor who displays strong guard play and dangerous submission systems, Alex is poised to again solidify his status as one of the brightest brown belt talents in the sport.

 

Hazel Salazar

Hazel Salazar, the commanding force hailing from Alliance, commenced her brown belt season following a powerful double-gold showing in the purple belt division at the 2025 Worlds. The sixth ranked female brown belt in the world is set to compete for a Brasileiro title as she aims to continue a commanding 2026 Grand Slam campaign. Hazel launched her brown belt tenure at the European Championships, where she claimed the heavyweight title and open class bronze medal. The Alliance athlete learned valuable lessons in her inaugural open class competition at brown belt, as she refocused on achieving double-gold at Pans. After earning her weight class title with two submission wins, Hazel set her sights on open class redemption. Through four matches against high-level opponents, Hazel captured three submissions and a decisive nine-point victory in the finals to achieve her double-gold status under the intense pressure of a Grand Slam event. With anticipation steadily rising, Hazel stands as the favorite to capture the Brasileiro heavyweight title against ten fellow opponents.

 

João Vitor

The returning light-featherweight Brasileiro champion aims to defend his title in São Paulo. João Vitor has had remarkable success at the Brasileiro event, winning the 2024 edition at purple belt and returning last year to claim the title at brown belt. The Alliance prospect enters the competition with profound confidence after recently capturing the Pan light-featherweight crown in Florida. João tallied four wins, three via submission, to mark his second major brown belt title with a resounding statement. He enters the thirty-three-contender bracket as the top-seed, with lofty expectations of securing his third consecutive Brasileiro title. Notably, fellow Alliance Pan champion Vitor Crizel represents another standout athlete in the light-featherweight division.

 

Emily Leyva

One of the brightest talents in the female brown belt division, Emily Leyva, sets her sights on the third Grand Slam event of the season. Beginning her brown belt tenure in the 2025 no-gi season, Emily claimed Brasileiro, Pan, and World Championship titles. Now in the midst of an exceptional gi season, the Atos phenom hopes to build upon the success she achieved at both Pan and European Championship events. Emily clinched her Euro title with a commanding outing across two matches, including a finals win via armbar. Pans offered the young athlete another two matches, in which Emily successfully submitted both opponents for her second championship of the season. The Atos Dream Team member employs one of the most potent armbar systems in the color belt categories, utilizing the technique from various positions and setups. Fans can expect constant submission threats and lethal guard play from Emily, who aims to secure a third light-featherweight title at Brasileiros.

 

Lucas ‘Coruja’ de Bonis

The returning Brasileiro heavyweight champion is back to defend his crown. Lucas ‘Coruja’ de Bonis enters the tournament as the #1 globally ranked male brown belt in the midst of a commanding 2026 campaign. In January, Coruja claimed the European heavyweight title while adding a bronze medal in the absolute category. Building on his 2026 success, the Alliance standout again overpowered the heavyweight class through three matches at Pans. Coruja then entered the open class competition, making it to the finals, but ultimately falling short to fellow Alliance team member and watchlist athlete Mauro Lucas. Coruja enters as the top-ranked athlete, headlining the most stacked weight class in brown belt competition, as a collection of the foremost heavyweights compete for the Brasileiro title.

 

Youness Bennouali 

A lightweight talent has impressed in 2026, as he eyes a second Grand Slam event triumph this season. Youness Bennouali of Moka Team 443 has showcased exceptional ability, underscored by a dangerous blend of athleticism and intricate technique. Beginning his major competition circuit at Europeans, Youness earned a bronze medal in a stacked lightweight category. The French standout then displayed his full arsenal at the 2026 Pans, where he claimed a pair of submissions across four wins en route to capturing his first major brown belt title. Youness now leads a forty-two competitor bracket as the top-seed at Brasileiros, hoping to continue his successful 2026 campaign.

 

Luandra Barbosa

Gracie Barra athlete Luandra Barbosa draws well-deserved recognition ahead of the 2026 Brasileiros. Luandra commenced her season with a strong European Championship showing that concluded with a silver medal in the middleweight division. Gaining both confidence and motivation from the event, Luandra rose to the Pan challenge elegantly. Across three matches in the middleweight category in Florida, Luandra earned three submissions and claimed her first brown belt major title. Notably, the Gracie Barra prospect employed her elite-level triangle series across all three wins, highlighting specific variations and entries to her potent system. With a major title in hand, Luandra enters the Brasileiro middleweight division as the top-seed amongst twenty-one formidable opponents such as Iris Nascimento and Ana Arouca.

 

Rafael Gamba

Alliance claims one of the brightest male prospects in the sport. Rafael Gamba has competed in the middleweight division, arguably the most formidable weight class at the brown belt level in 2026, across both Grand Slam events of the season. His European Championship campaign immediately proved the young prospect's immense skill, as he claimed the middleweight title with five submissions in as many matches. Rafael often utilizes his dangerous collar-sleeve guard play to wreak havoc upon his opponents, constantly setting up his devastating finishing systems. The promising athlete enters Brasileiro as the top-seed amongst an astounding group of middleweights such as Luan Veras, Marcus Vinicius, and Samuel James.

 

Elizabeth Genge

Elizabeth Genge has a proven record of success across major tournaments at the brown belt level. The Stealth BJJ representative earned podium finishes at European, Pan, and World Championship events, as well as a No-Gi Pan title in 2025, leading to elevated anticipation surrounding her second season at brown belt. Elizabeth met those expectations at the European Championships this January, where she bested four opponents with a pair of submissions to claim the featherweight title. With that success propelling her, Elizabeth sets her sights on a dangerous Brasileiro featherweight category that includes Kellen Arraes, Elisa Carmo, and Camilla Eduarda.

 

Mauro Lucas

Another Alliance talent, Mauro Lucas, rejoins Grand Slam action following a notable Pan performance. Mauro competed in the heavyweight category in Florida, where he tallied two wins before being edged out in the finals against Lucas Coruja. Determined to earn Pan gold, Mauro claimed three victories, including a redemption win over Coruja, to secure the absolute championship. Mauro’s game balances physicality and technique to overwhelm his opponents with pressure, a feat that may prove difficult in the supremely competitive heavyweight division at Brasileiro.

 

Kellen Arraes

Alliance athlete Kellen Arraes is set to compete for the featherweight title at Brasileiros. The young talent commences her first year at the brown belt level, after earning World silver and Brasileiro gold at the purple belt level in 2025. Kellen claimed her first Grand Slam event title at Pans, where she delivered a commanding showing across four matches. The Alliance sensation secured three distinct submissions against high-level opponents and finished her campaign with a decisive six-point victory. Kellen balances strong passing pressure with dangerous guard play while constantly seeking submissions, leading her to be one of the most exciting talents in the brown belt division. Kellen enters the featherweight division as the two-seed, setting the stage for a potential powerhouse matchup with fellow watchlist competitor, Elizabeth Genge.

 

Jeferson Silva

Jeferson ‘Tijolo’ Silva, representing DreamArt, is aiming for his first major championship at the brown belt level. The 2025 season signified a breakout year for Tijolo, who earned podium placements at all four major tournaments, including double-gold showings at Brasileiros and Pans, as well as a European open class title. Now in his first year at the brown belt level, Tijolo proved at Euros he has the skill to compete amongst the world's top heavyweights. The DreamArt athlete employs a relentless submission focus, including numerous flying attacks, to pose constant danger to his opponents. Fans can expect non-stop action and a high pace from the promising talent, as he sets his sights on heavyweight gold amongst a group of formidable athletes.

 

Livia Barasine

A rising star out of BJJ College is beginning to make an impact on the international adult scene. Livia Barasine gained immense recognition in 2025 at the juvenile 2 blue belt level by achieving double-gold at all four Grand Slam events. Livia then finished 2025 in the purple belt division where she again claimed double-gold at the No-Gi World Championships. Transitioning to an adult career in the brown belt category presents a significant challenge, but Livia’s skill has proven more than sufficient. The 2026 Pans showcased her tremendous ability, as she bested a pair of experienced and tough opponents, including Lauriane Afonso, to claim her first adult major championship. With each competition, the BJJ College representative seems to elevate her level, increasing the anticipation surrounding her future and culminating in definitive excitement for her Brasileiro title pursuit. Livia enters the medium-heavyweight division as the top-seed with thirteen fellow competitors attempting to derail the soaring trajectory of the bright prospect.

 

Natã Tenca

Atos Jiu-Jitsu powerhouse, Natã Tenca, is back in the hunt for a major title at Brasileiros. Entering the ultra-heavyweight category for the first time, Natã is the top-ranked competitor amongst twenty-eight fellow athletes. The talented prospect earned podium finishes at all four major tournaments in 2025, and claimed his first major championship in the open class at the European Championships this season. Natã showcases overwhelming top-pressure and impressive mobility from such a physically imposing frame. He immediately draws immense anticipation in the ultra-heavyweight division as the #2 globally ranked brown belt, and remains a strong favorite to clinch his second Grand Slam event title of the 2026 season.

 

Luiz Rigo

The sixth ranked brown belt in the world joins the super-heavyweight division at Brasileiros. Luiz Rigo, representing DreamArt, has claimed major championships at both Pan and European Championship events in 2026, building excitement for his inclusion at the third Grand Slam event of the season. Luiz began his current season with a commanding showing at Euros, before chasing his second consecutive Pan title. The DreamArt athlete accomplished back-to-back Pan titles with a two-match effort that saw him submit both opponents impressively. As he prepares for a redemption run at Brasileiros, after earning bronze in the last edition, Luiz remains the top-seed of twenty-one contenders. Viewers can expect strong standing attacks and suffocating control as Luiz eyes his fourth major championship at the brown belt level.

 

Nellyfer Ferreira

A new talent has emerged in the brown belt division, as she makes her Grand Slam debut after her recent promotion. Nellyfer Ferreira of Nova União completed her purple belt journey following a fantastic performance at the European Championships. Her accomplishments at purple belt include Brasileiro and European Championship titles, creating immense anticipation for the next phase of her jiu-jitsu career. The roosterweight standout employs intricate guard play in combination with dangerous submission systems to threaten her opponents. Nellyfer enters the roosterweight category at Brasileiros where she claims the fifth seed out of six contenders.

 

Marcio Italo

A new face in the brown belt division is making Grand Slam noise in 2026. Marcio Italo of Alliance recently claimed the Pan championship, his first major title at the brown belt level, in astounding fashion. Nicknamed The Crazy Dog, his style blends traditional technique with relentless pace and devastating submission systems. Marcio first gained recognition on the international circuit in 2023 at the blue belt level by winning a World Championship. In 2025, Marcio went on to earn podium finishes at World, European, and Brasileiro tournaments before achieving his brown belt promotion. With one title already secured this season, Marcio hopes to continue his successful trajectory with a Brasileiro medium-heavyweight triumph.

Don't miss the incredible talent on display Thursday (4/30) and Friday (5/1), streaming exclusively on FloGrappling.