The 2025 No-Gi World Championships showcased the planet's most elite jiu-jitsu competitors in Las Vegas, NV. Black belt World Champions hailed from a diverse array of nations, further proving the expansion of jiu-jitsu beyond the United States and Brazil, two countries that have long dominated the global stage. The sport's bright future is clearly evident, amplifying the competitive landscape and extending its worldwide appeal.

Brazil

Brazil secured the most black belt No-Gi World Champions, supplying eight of the world’s foremost competitors. Thaís Loureiro, a native of Aracruz, Brazil, first encountered jiu-jitsu at the age of fourteen in her community. Thaís clinched her inaugural No-Gi World Championship in 2025, initiating an exceptional sequence of black belt Brazilian victories at the tournament. Cassia Moura, representing LEAD BJJ and originating from the Realengo neighborhood in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, attained her second No-Gi World Championship in successive years. Cassia remarkably ascended six weight classes to challenge the world's premier female heavyweights, ultimately demonstrating her extraordinary jiu-jitsu prowess to capture the gold medal. The Cidade de Deus neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is the home of Gabi Pessanha, widely recognized as the most formidable female athlete in jiu-jitsu. The former no-gi double grand slam champion perpetuated Brazil’s distinguished jiu-jitsu legacy by claiming the super-heavyweight No-Gi Worlds title. Marcos Gomes’s jiu-jitsu journey commenced with the Transformar Jiu-Jitsu Project in the Dique do Vilar community in Rio de Janeiro. Marcos detailed his humble beginnings as a youth who escaped the slums by pursuing his ambition of competing in jiu-jitsu on the sport's grandest platforms. This aspiration was realized at the 2025 No-Gi Worlds with the light-featherweight title, affirming to himself and his family that the challenging path was entirely worthwhile. Marco Mendes similarly fulfilled his lifelong goal by earning his first No-Gi World Championship. Marco, who was born in Brasília, Brazil, relocated early in life to Teresina, where he began training at eleven years old. Marco started his competitive pursuit representing a social project with his peers, resulting in a challenging progression that has undoubtedly served as an inspiration for young Brazilian practitioners. Roosevelt Sousa, a native of João Pessoa, discovered jiu-jitsu at twenty years old, commencing a formidable quest with the hope of competing at the highest level and encouraging young athletes to relentlessly chase their dreams. Roosevelt achieved the highly sought-after double gold status at the 2025 No-Gi Worlds, cementing his most dominant season in jiu-jitsu at 32 years of age.

United States of America

The United States boasted four black belt World Champions, who proudly represented themselves and their homeland. Ashlee Funegra of AOJ concluded her rookie campaign with a No-Gi Worlds light-featherweight title. The California native has long been under the spotlight as one of the sport's most compelling prospects, alongside her world champion siblings, Natalie and Mia. At just nineteen years old, Ashlee’s future is promising, and the jiu-jitsu community is eager to follow the continuation of her professional career. Helena Crevar returned to her home city of Las Vegas, Nevada, to secure her first black belt No-Gi World Championship this weekend. Helena has been dominant in competition since the juvenile ranks, creating tremendous anticipation for her inaugural black belt world title. The eighteen-year-old sensation is undeniably on the verge of an extraordinary career, much to the delight of jiu-jitsu enthusiasts globally. Elisabeth Clay furthered her celebrated career this weekend, capturing her fifth and sixth No-Gi World Championships. Born in Katy, Texas, Elisabeth unexpectedly began her jiu-jitsu pursuit in Alaska before returning to the contiguous United States to advance her career. Elisabeth continues to establish herself as one of the preeminent no-gi female athletes in the history of the sport. Cole Abate stands as the sole US-born male black belt No-Gi World Champion at this year's competition. Cole was born in Beaumont, Texas, where his jiu-jitsu journey began. Rising to prominence through dominating juvenile tournaments, Cole decided to bring his abilities to AOJ in 2019, a pivotal moment in his development. He now competes for one of the most powerful teams in the sport, serving as a standout athlete at just twenty-one years old.

Australia

Progressively becoming one of the sport's most recognized jiu-jitsu nations, Australia celebrated two No-Gi World Champions this year. Adele Fornarino has generated excitement in recent years, thanks to her world-class technique and crowd-pleasing approach. The Melbourne native secured her first No-Gi Worlds title over the weekend, dominating the female featherweight division. Adele has confirmed her status as one of the most commanding female competitors in the sport, representing Australia’s ascendant jiu-jitsu scene. Fellow Australian, Nico Maglicic, was born in Sydney, where his involvement in the sport commenced at age twelve. Nico earned his first black belt No-Gi World Championship title on Saturday, representing Atos Jiu-Jitsu. Nico clinched the super-heavyweight gold, marking a significant breakthrough at the black belt level. The twenty-five-year-old Aussie unquestionably offers inspiration to young Australian athletes with aspirations of competing on the world stage.

Canada

Lillian Marchand is the lone Canadian No-Gi World Champion in 2025. Lillian caused an upset in the female lightweight division en route to her first No-Gi Worlds title, entering the bracket as the lowest seed. Lillian originates from Vernon, British Columbia, where she started training jiu-jitsu at the age of five. Initially taken up as a self-defense practice to shield her from bullying, Lillian quickly developed a passion for the competitive circuit. Ultimately, the Atos Jiu-Jitsu standout capped off her 2025 rookie season by reaching the top of the podium under the brightest lights. The nineteen-year-old Canadian undeniably possesses a promising future, exciting the global jiu-jitsu community.

Poland

Pawel Jaworski headlines a wave of emerging Polish grapplers making a notable impact at the sport’s major events. Pawel was born in Wawa, Poland, eventually moving to Warsaw to train at Academia Gorila, aiming to further his jiu-jitsu career. The transition certainly proved fruitful, as the rookie black belt secured Pans, Europeans, and No-Gi World Championship titles in 2025. Academia Gorila impressed throughout the 2025 No-Gi Worlds event, affirming Poland's substantial contribution to the sport's international competitive scene. Pawel hopes his achievements will create more opportunities for fellow Polish athletes attempting to realize their dreams globally.

Norway

Tarik Hopstock continued Norway’s recent success at the sport’s biggest events, earning his first No-Gi World Championship this weekend. The Oslo, Norway native captured the middleweight division gold to culminate a 2025 season that also saw him win a European Championship title. The newly crowned world champion has represented Frontline Academy from his very first jiu-jitsu lesson, embodying loyalty and a relentless commitment to elevate the reputation of his childhood team and native country in the world spotlight. At twenty-nine years of age, Tarik has solidified his position as one of the world’s top talents and a distinguished Norwegian athlete.

Panama

Javier Barter represents Panama at the sport’s most prominent events. Born in Panama City, Javier started jiu-jitsu as an extracurricular pursuit before becoming devoted to the sport and committing to his objective of high-level competition. Javier faced numerous challenges, notably a lack of high-level training opportunities. Javier’s narrative epitomizes persistence through hardship and an unwavering self-belief in achieving one's dreams. His performance marks the first No-Gi World title in Panama’s history. Javier is now the only Panamanian-born male to win a world championship, inevitably creating more possibilities for young athletes who follow a similar path.

Scotland

Shay Montague’s performance at the 2025 No-Gi World Championships highlighted Scotland’s promising jiu-jitsu scene. Shay was born in northern Scotland, where his youth was characterized by activities other than sports. His initial interest in martial arts began at age sixteen, when he quickly realized he did not possess the formidable physique often associated with champions of the arts. Shay eventually found an opportunity in jiu-jitsu, sparking a move to Glasgow to pursue his ambition of winning a blue belt world championship, after which he assumed his competitive career would conclude. Despite his modest beginnings and goals, Shay overcame many obstacles to capture his first black belt No-Gi Worlds title on Saturday. The Scotsman revealed he never imagined his journey would culminate in a black belt world championship, leading him to refocus his mission towards inspiring confidence and motivation in the next generation of Scottish athletes.