As the jiu-jitsu community eagerly awaits the upcoming IBJJF Absolute No-Gi Grand Prix, all eyes are on 2X World Champion Kaynan Duarte. At just 26 years of age, Kaynan ‘s impressive resume already includes titles at the Worlds, Pans, Pans No-Gi, Europeans, and Absolute GP, accomplishments that put him amongst the most accomplished active athletes in the sport. However, his competition journey is far from over, as he sets his sights on a historic achievement at the upcoming Absolute No-Gi GP.

In November of 2022, Kaynan secured his first Absolute GP title, defeating three tough opponents in the gi to become one of the few GP champions in IBJJF history. Now, with the gi shed and his focus sharpened, Kaynan returns to the arena with a singular goal in mind: to capture yet another Absolute GP title, thus cementing his status as the first-ever two-time IBJJF Absolute Grand Prix champion.

For Kaynan, preparation is key. Despite his already impressive accolades, he has remained diligent in his commitment to improvement, adhering to his training regimen at Atos HQ. In addition to technical preparations on the mat, Kaynan has also dedicated himself to enhancing his physical conditioning, ensuring that he is in peak form to face the challenges that lie ahead. “I maintained my routine,” explained Kaynan, “learning something new and getting in better shape every day.”

A seasoned competitor, Kaynan is no stranger to the caliber of athletes he will encounter at the Absolute GP. Having crossed paths with many of his fellow contenders on numerous occasions, he is well aware of the level of skill and determination each one of them will bring to the event. There is one opponent, however, that piques Kaynan's interest above all others: a potential showdown with Pan No-Gi Champion Giancarlo Bodoni. “I hope I can fight as many opponents that I’ve never faced before as possible. But to be honest, it doesn’t matter. I don’t know how they’re going to set the brackets. It would be cool to have the finals against Bodoni, but, again, I don’t know how they will set the brackets.”

The prospect of facing Bodoni presents Kaynan with an opportunity to test his skills against one of the sport's very best no-gi competitors. With both athletes boasting impressive resumes and a hunger for victory and continuous improvement, a clash between Kaynan and Bodoni would certainly be an intriguing clash of styles and a highlight of the tournament.

Beyond the pursuit of his second Absolute GP title, Kaynan's participation in the event carries a deeper significance. With each title, he not only adds to his own legacy but also reaffirms his status as an elite competitor, capable of dominating both with and without the gi. As the countdown to the IBJJF Absolute No-Gi Grand Prix draws near, the anticipation surrounding Kaynan Duarte's quest for glory continues to mount. “I’ve already shown that I can do gi and no-gi at the highest level. Now I’m more focused on the no-gi scene, so I can’t wait to step on the mats again.”

Watch Kaynan Duarte and the rest of the IBJJF Absolute No-Gi GP card on Thursday, February 29th. Go to ibjjfgp.com to get tickets for the event, or watch it streamed live on FloGrappling. Kingz Kimonos is a proud sponsor of the IBJJF Absolute No-Gi Grand Prix.