The world’s top purple belt competitors assembled in Las Vegas over the weekend, in hopes of making their mark at the 2025 No-Gi World Championships. Standout performances were delivered across nineteen respective divisions, resulting in a phenomenal display of jiu-jitsu.  Rising stars, proven prospects, and breakout athletes showcased the ascent of purple belt competition.
 

Miranda Allen

Miranda Allen faced the light-featherweight division on Saturday, completing a four-match run to secure the gold medal. Miranda made her purple belt debut as the third-lowest rank, creating a difficult path to the championship. After controlling her first match, Miranda submitted Emily Hansen via triangle kimura after scoring nineteen consecutive points. Miranda then defeated the division’s #1 seed, Javiera Zuniga, by two points, displaying her impressive submission defense and tactical awareness. The Gracie Barra athlete controlled the final match, securing an eleven-point victory and her first No-Gi World Championship. Throughout her run, she showcased positional dominance and the winning instincts every great champion possesses. Miranda Allen captures the biggest title of the season in her purple belt debut, leaving much to be expected of the young prospect.

 

Dominic Manno

Dominic Manno, the AOJ athlete, put on a beautiful display of jiu-jitsu en route to his lightweight gold at the 2025 No-Gi World Championships. Dominic faced a challenging sixty-two man bracket, outlasting all competitors to capture his first adult-level No-Gi Worlds title. Dominic demonstrated impressive control throughout his run, reaching the semifinals against the Atos athlete, Igor Araujo. The AOJ product continued his decisive campaign by securing a sweep and maintaining top pressure for a 2-0 point victory. The final offered an exciting array of technique between two high-level competitors, culminating in a close advantage victory in favor of Dominic. He adds the No-Gi Worlds title to his 2025 résumé, which includes the Pans gold medal he captured in early October. Dominic Manno earned his brown belt promotion on the podium this weekend, marking new challenges and potentially greater accomplishments for the young prospect.

 

Ana Luiza

Ana Luiza completed her first competitive season at the adult level in the middleweight purple belt division. Her promotion followed her juvenile 2 No-Gi World Championship win at last year’s event. The Athlas Training Team product began her impressive run in the quarterfinals, showcasing her dangerous closed guard system en route to a guillotine finish. Ana then faced a difficult test against Atos Jiu-Jitsu representative Carmell Otto in a match decided by a single advantage in Luiza's favor. Ana then showcased her incredible submission prowess again, this time with a rear naked choke, securing her first adult No-Gi World Championship. At just eighteen years old, the young prospect seems to improve every time she steps on the mats. Her performance at No-Gi Worlds confirms her soaring trajectory heading into the 2026 campaign.

 

Julio Martins

Julio Martins, the Melqui Galvão student, entered the No-Gi World Championships hefty middleweight division, boasting sixty-five competitors. Julio carried the momentum from his Brasileiro gold medal performance earlier in the season. He began his gold medal run with a competitive 2-0 points victory, before securing a third-round submission via straight armlock in just fifty seconds. His second submission came via rear naked choke to advance into the quarterfinals. A couple of highly competitive matches that went the distance favored Martins, moving him into the final against Antonio Figueiredo. Julio and Antonio traded offense in a back-and-forth match, ultimately witnessing Julio Martins capture his first No-Gi World Championship title. After six tough matches in a talent-ridden division, the Melqui Galvão representative claimed his position atop the podium. Julio has proven himself a top prospect as he ascends through the competitive circuit. 

 

Isabella Mir

Bella Mir faced high expectations heading into the biggest no-gi event of the year, as Bella’s young career has recently blossomed. She returned to the event after securing her No-Gi Worlds title at blue belt in last year’s edition. Over the weekend, Bella certainly impressed the jiu-jitsu community with a dominant run in the medium-heavyweight division. Her first match immediately displayed the overwhelming pressure she is rapidly becoming known for; a sixteen-point shutout led to a rear naked choke finish to begin her pursuit of gold. After a decisive victory over the division’s number one seed, Bella again engulfed her opponent with pressure, leading to another rear naked choke submission victory. The final ended similarly, with Bella capturing a submission and her second consecutive No-Gi World Championship title. Her fantastic performance not only secured her the gold medal but also earned her a promotion to brown belt on the grandest stage. Isabella Mir undoubtedly has a bright future ahead, one the jiu-jitsu scene is eager to witness.

 

Moussa Kadi

Moussa Kadi, representing Unity Jiu-Jitsu, arrived at the 2025 No-Gi World Championships already decorated with Pans and European Championship titles from earlier in the year. Despite the high expectations, Kadi's phenomenal performance at the final major event of the season earned him significant, well-deserved attention as the only purple belt double-gold recipient. His impressive campaign began in the medium-heavyweight division with a decisive victory over Jairod James, followed by a hard-fought points win in the second round. Kadi's masterful execution of a unique leg-in omoplata finish against Guilio La Fauci propelled the Unity standout into the semifinals. Just two minutes into his bout with Steven Schneider, Moussa secured an impressive choi-bar style armbar, submitting his opponent and securing a spot in the final. The medium-heavyweight final concluded dramatically in just twenty-four seconds with a belly-down straight ankle lock, earning Moussa his first No-Gi Worlds title of the weekend.

 

The open class presented Moussa with formidable challenges against two super-heavyweight medalists and the middleweight bronze recipient. He advanced to the open class finals after hitting an impressive shotgun-style armbar and winning a closely contested decision over Henry Zachary. The highly anticipated final against Abraham Montagne proved a battle of similarly skilled competitors, ultimately decided by a single advantage in favor of Moussa. Five submissions en route to a double-gold performance at the 2025 No-Gi World Championships solidifies the excitement surrounding Moussa Kadi as one of the top prospects in the sport.

 

Livia Felix

Livia Felix, representing Demian Maia Jiu-Jitsu, capped off her phenomenal 2025 season with a No-Gi Worlds title. Livia competed in three matches in the heavyweight division as the two-seed. She cruised through her quarterfinals match with an 8-0 victory after securing two impressive back takes. Livia continued to utilize heavy passing pressure in the semifinals, posting eleven unanswered points before finishing a mounted guillotine to proceed into the final. Tianna Lund challenged Livia for the heavyweight title, but in the end, it was Livia Felix who locked on an arm from the closed guard for a submission finish, capping off an incredible run. Livia demonstrated wonderful standing attacks and passing pressure to successfully capture her first No-Gi World Championship. Finishing the year with two major titles, Livia brings significant momentum into the upcoming competitive season.

 

Seth Kiefer

The Brasa Caio Terra product, Seth Kiefer, triumphed in the heavyweight division at the 2025 No-Gi World Championships. Seth completed a five-match run, defeating the number one seed along the way to capture his first No-Gi World title. Seth started his day with a first-round triangle submission late in the match. A much quicker second-round matchup with James Sharkey ended with a powerful straight ankle lock submission in under a minute. Seth continued to display his impressive guard work in the quarterfinals, securing a 9-2 points victory. The semifinals paired top-seed Michael Heyliger and Seth Kiefer for a finals placement, ending in a narrow decision victory for Seth. He ultimately secured the gold medal after defeating Nicholas Heflin via decision, utilizing the active guard play that came to define his title run. Seth Kiefer completes an impressive 2025 campaign with the coveted No-Gi Worlds gold medal.

 

Emily Haase

Emily Haase entered the 2025 No-Gi World Championships after securing silver and gold medals at Pans earlier this season. Her competition day began with a decisive guillotine finish in the quarterfinals of the heavyweight division. Her semifinals match against Tianna Lund proved a significant roadblock, resulting in a tough loss and a bronze medal in her weight class. Determined to continue her pursuit of gold, Emily enlisted in the open class, winning her quarterfinals match to set up a very intriguing contest with Andressa Simas. Ultimately, Emily punched her ticket to the finals with a darce choke in just under three minutes. The gold medal match paired the top two seeds in the bracket, Yasmim Santana and Emily Haase, for the coveted open class title. In the end, Emily earned her placement atop the podium after a physical 6-0 points victory over her super-heavyweight champion counterpart. Emily utilized impressive standing techniques and heavy passing pressure to secure bronze and gold medals at the 2025 No-Gi World Championships. The Jiu-Jitus Haus competitor caps off her incredible season with a No-Gi World Championship title, undoubtedly setting the stage for a fantastic 2026 campaign.

 

Luke Ruffo

Pedigo Submission Fighting representative Luke Ruffo entered the talented super-heavyweight division at the 2025 No-Gi World Championships, aiming to improve upon the pair of bronze medals he earned in last year’s event. Luke ignited his gold medal run with a quick first-round darce choke, securing the submission in just ninety seconds. After advancing past David Wright into the semifinals, Luke secured an advantage victory over the tough Christopher Collins. The final pitted Luke against Henry Zachary in a highly anticipated rematch of the 2025 No-Gi Pans final from October. As expected, this fantastic match came down to the final seconds, with Luke nearly securing a back take that earned him the match-deciding advantage. Luke Ruffo claimed the super-heavyweight No-Gi Worlds title and was promoted to brown belt by his professor, Heath Pedigo, concluding his 2025 campaign and purple belt career on a definitive high note. The jiu-jitsu community eagerly awaits the exciting prospect's debut in the brown belt division next season.

 

Yasmim Santana

Yasmim Santana secured a No-Gi World Championship for the third consecutive year. The Alliance product won four of her five matches, capturing the super-heavyweight gold and open class silver medals. Yasmim dominated her two weight division matches with overwhelming pressure and positional control. The open class presented Yasmim with three difficult matches, as she fought her way to the final against Emily Haase. Yasmim narrowly missed repeating the double gold success she earned in last year’s No-Gi Worlds, settling for the open class silver medal. Yasmim has dominated the color belts, finishing the year as the #1 ranked female purple belt, setting the stage for another impressive 2026 campaign.

 

Killian Humair

Killian Humair shocked the ultra-heavyweight division over the weekend en route to capturing his first No-Gi Worlds title. Killian dominated the division, securing submission victories in each of his four matches. All opponents fell to his devastating straight ankle lock pressure, proving his formidable leg lock system is truly special. Killian’s performance marks his first major title at the year’s biggest no-gi event, signaling the dawn of a potentially exciting career. The Swiss athlete returns home with a No-Gi World Championship and increased notoriety from the jiu-jitsu community, entering the 2026 season with lofty expectations.