At the elite black belt level, there are few athletes that have been as dominant as Nicholas Meregali in the history of the sport. Since his promotion to black belt in 2016, Meregali's journey has been nothing short of remarkable, solidifying his position as one of the most technical and submission-savvy black belts of his time. Check out this list of Nicholas’ accomplishments in major championships at the black belt rank.

-9 major titles at black belt in 4 weight classes (heavyweight, super-heavyweight, ultra heavyweight, open class)

-3X World Champion, 2X Pan Champion, 4X Brasileiro Champion

-42 submissions in major championships

-73.68% major championship submission rate

Nicholas Meregali's journey to the upper echelons of jiu-jitsu began long before he earned his black belt. He built a reputation as a formidable competitor during his colored belt years, where he won every major title. His black belt promotion came at the end of 2016 and he was immediately a top athlete in his division. Meregali's rookie year at the black belt level exceeded all expectations. The 2017 IBJJF World Championships marked his entry into the black belt division, and was the event where he claimed his first major title after defeating several legends in the sport. The title set the stage for an extraordinary black belt career.

One of Meregali's distinguishing features is his versatility across different weight categories. Over the course of his black belt career, he has demonstrated his adaptability by competing and winning major titles in four different weight classes. This is a testament to Nicholas’ technical level and his ability to apply his jiu-jitsu to opponents of all sizes and attributes. Meregali's approach to the game is based around his pursuit of submissions. With an incredible tally of 42 submissions in black belt major championship matches, his nearly 74% submission rate is unrivaled among currently active black belts. His commitment to finishing fights via submissions showcases not only his technical prowess but also his relentless desire to showcase his dominance on the mat.

In 2023, Meregali put on a career defining performance at the Pans, where he conquered both the ultra-heavyweight and open weight categories. He submitted six of his seven opponents while showcasing a complete game. As Meregali's career continues to evolve, he’s continued to take on more challenges. He now has his sights set on the IBJJF Absolute Grand Prix scheduled for September 1st in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is part of Jiu-Jitsu CON, the largest jiu-jitsu event in the world. Nicholas will be joined by Victor Hugo, Kaynan Duarte, Fellipe Andrew, Gutemberg Pereira, Horlando Monteiro, Francisco Lo, and Joao Gabriel Rocha in what promises to be the best Absolute Grand Prix bracket to date.

Do not miss the biggest Absolute GP in history! You can watch the event live in Las Vegas or stream it exclusively on FloGrappling.