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Gabriel Brod vs João Venturi | 2025 Juiz de Fora No-Gi Open

The Brazilian competition circuit picks back up with Juiz de Fora action this weekend. With numerous standout athletes in competition, the CBJJ event attempts to steal the jiu-jitsu spotlight. Lets take a look at some of the highlight athletes and notable storylines to expect from the Juiz de Fora Open.

Cleison Santos of Alliance is back in action. Cleison’s last performance witnessed him secure a Brasileiro silver medal earlier this season. Cleison leads a six-man featherweight division as the early favorite to capture the gold.

The lightweight gi division remains one of the strongest of the entire event. Sandrey Silva is one of the highlight athletes in the bracket as a current Brasileiro bronze medalist and early Juiz de Fora frontrunner. Luiz Neto and Leonardo Ferreira of Alliance are dangerous contenders who look to claim their place in the finals.

Darlan Casaca stays busy with another Open event enlistment. Darlan is scheduled to compete in the gi middleweight and no-gi medium-heavyweight divisions. Darlan has had a successful 2026 campaign with a Brasileiro No-Gi silver medal being his biggest achievement.

Gabriel Machado represents a significant threat to Darlan in the gi middleweight division. Gabriel secured bronze medals at Brasileiro and European Championship events this season. The Equipe Hugo Velasco Jiu-Jitsu athlete enters as the favorite to secure the division’s gold medal this weekend.

Pablo Oliveira is fresh off of his Floripa Winter Open gold medal. The Carlson Gracie Team representative is a bright young star who continues to bolster his resume with successful events. Building experience and refining his game are surely the top priorities for the rising prospect. 

Felipe ‘Filipinho’ Assis is back in action following his Vitoria Open double-gold performance. The reigning heavyweight Pan Champion and Worlds bronze medalist is an early favorite to capture double-gold again in Juiz de Fora. 

Gisele Menezes represents an early favorite to secure double-gold in female gi action. The former Pan Champion, World bronze medalist, and Brasileiro bronze medalist has a strong case for securing the open class gold medal. 

Wilson Bueno headlines master competition as the #1 ranked master 1 male competitor in the world. Wilson is not yet registered for the 2026 World Master event where he would be a serious threat to win a title.

Follow official IBJJF Channels for highlight action from around the world this weekend. Stay up-to-date on Juiz de Fora action by following the brackets live.