The 2025 European Jiu-Jitsu Championship kicked off 2025 in spectacular fashion, marking its place as the first major IBJJF event of the year. Held in Lisbon, Portugal, for the first time since 2020, the 21st edition of the tournament shattered records as the largest Europeans in history. Over the course of nine action-packed days, more than 6,000 athletes showcased their skills, with the black belt adult divisions delivering an especially thrilling display of technique, strategy, and heart. With a high percentage of matches ending in submissions, this edition of the Europeans highlighted the dynamic and aggressive style that defines modern jiu-jitsu. Read on for a breakdown of the standout performances and submission statistics from this unforgettable event!

Athletes with a 100% Submission Rate

Gabrieli Pessanha – 5 Fights, 5 Submissions

Gabrieli Pessanha once again proved why she’s the reigning queen of jiu-jitsu, delivering a flawless performance to secure double gold. Competing in both the super heavyweight and open class divisions, Gabrieli submitted all five of her opponents with technical precision. Her campaign began with an open class quarterfinal against Giovanna Jara, where she showcased her dominance by passing, mounting, and finishing with a choke. Gabrieli continued her submission streak in the super heavyweight division, securing straight ankle locks in both her semifinal and final matches. She capped off her performance with yet another straight ankle lock victory in the open class final, defeating Yara Soares for the second time. 

Leonardo Souza – 4 Fights, 4 Submissions

Leonardo Souza electrified the crowd with a perfect run in the lightweight division, achieving his first major IBJJF black belt title. He began his campaign with a triangle over Leonardo Cruz. He followed up with a guillotine finish against Jaeyoung Lee of Wire Jiu-Jitsu. In the semifinals, Leonardo executed a beautiful triangle submission to defeat Thiago Saboia of Alliance. The final saw Leonardo face Lucas Protasio, where he initially trailed 4-0 but maintained his composure. With less than two minutes remaining, Leonardo found a sweep and transitioned to a submission, earning lightweight gold and solidifying his status as a rising star.

Mayssa Bastos – 2 Fights, 2 Submissions

Mayssa Bastos continued her reign of dominance with another masterclass performance, capturing her fifth European title in flawless fashion. The 5X World Champion submitted both of her opponents with chokes from the back. In her semifinal, she seamlessly transitioned from berimbolo to mount to back control, finishing with a choke. The final was a highly anticipated rematch with Jessica Caroline, the 2024 European light featherweight champion. This time, Mayssa left no doubt, using a berimbolo to set up a crab ride and back take, finishing the match with a choke just two minutes and twenty-eight seconds in.

Finals Highlight: A 50% Submission Rate

The black belt adult finals at the 2025 Europeans showcased high-level technique and thrilling finishes, with 50% of the 18 matches ending in submission. The finals kicked off with a bang, as Thais Loureiro, Mayssa Bastos, and Larissa Campos each secured submission victories in their respective divisions. Other athletes who claimed submission wins in the finals included Gabrieli Pessanha, Leonardo Souza, Adam Wardzinski, Windson Torres, and Ingridd Alves. The variety of finishes—from chokes to ankle locks—highlighted the technical diversity and submission-oriented mindset that made this year’s Europeans an unforgettable event.

Conclusion

The 2025 European Jiu-Jitsu Championship will be remembered not only for its record-breaking size and return to Lisbon but also for the incredible display of submission excellence at the black belt adult level. Dominant performances from Gabrieli Pessanha, Leonardo Souza, and Mayssa Bastos reminded the jiu-jitsu world why submissions remain the pinnacle of the sport, thrilling fans and setting the tone for the year ahead. With such remarkable performances, the anticipation for the next major IBJJF event, the Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Kissimmee, Florida, is already building.