World-class jiu-jitsu competition returned to Louisiana for the 2023 New Orleans Summer Open. The IBJJF has been hosting tournaments in the city since 2019 with this edition marking the fifth straight year this event has been held. Past overall team champions have included Team Jucao and Soul Fighters BJJ, but it’s been CheckMat that has dominated the last three years of the event. The team was well represented this year, with two time American National Champion Mathias Luna and brown belt Pan Champion Jose Jurema both putting on tremendous performances.

Mathias Luna has been active in 2023, competing at the Pans, Worlds, LA Open, and Miami Open. His best performance, however, came in his most recent tournament, the American Nationals. Mathias won both of his fights at Nationals by submission over high level opponents. He returned to competition just a week later in New Orleans, where he won medium-heavy gi and no-gi and the absolute in the gi.

"I had a good performance in New Orleans. I had four fights and I got the submission in two of them,” explained Mathias. “I still have a lot to improve and that’s why I’ll try to compete as much as possible to improve myself. My next tournament will be Orlando Open Gi and No-Gi and I’ll be ready for any other challenges.”

2022 brown belt Pan Champion Jose Jurema won a bronze medal in the medium-heavy division at the 2023 World Championships and was promoted to black belt shortly thereafter. The New Orleans Open marked his black belt debut, where he competed with and without the gi. Jose commented on his amazing debut.

“Yesterday I made my debut at black belt, having five fights and submitting them all. I’m always trying to show the public that I’m searching for the finish from both top and bottom. My goal now is to fight Jiu Jitsu CON and Pan No-Gi.”

The no-gi open class champion was Diego Ramalho of ZR Team. Diego won two fights to secure the gold. He’s also won gold medals this year at Pans, American Nationals, Indianapolis Open, Master North America, and the Baton Rouge Open.

2023 New Orleans Summer Open team results:

1. CheckMat

2. Alliance

3. Ares BJJ

2023 New Orleans Summer No-Gi Open team results:

1. CheckMat

2. Alliance

3. BJJ Revolution Team