A contingent of the sport's foremost prospects is poised to showcase the phenomenal talent within the color belt divisions on day 3 of the Pans. Top female brown belts will compete for the second major championship of the 2026 season, as elite male purple belt athletes contest the prestigious Pans title. The global jiu-jitsu spotlight will shift its focus to the immense skill present in two of the most promising divisions in the competitive landscape.

Female Brown Belt

The female brown belt divisions are brimming with phenomenal talent and proven competitors. The field of championship contenders includes reigning European Champions, division newcomers, and rapidly surging prospects. These female brown belts seek to significantly bolster their grand slam experience before ascending to the sport's highest echelon.

Nikolett Kis headlines this category as the reigning double-gold medalist from the European Championships in January. The Sigma Jiu-Jitsu representative possesses the skillset necessary to dominate both the lightweight and open class divisions once more. Spectators can anticipate a balanced attack from Nikolett, who combines stifling top control with efficient guard techniques, all while relentlessly pursuing submissions. Nikolett entered the brown belt level this season carrying high expectations, having secured purple belt major titles at Pans, Euros, and Brasileiros in 2025. Her soaring trajectory has seen her capture a pair of major titles early in 2026, as she now sets her sights on continued triumphs on day 3 of the Pans.

Atos Jiu-Jitsu phenom, Emily Leyva, is scheduled to compete in the light-featherweight division. Emily began this season following an incredible no-gi run in 2025, where she secured World, Pan, and Brasileiro titles. In January, Emily captured her first major gi title at the brown belt level, generating immense anticipation for her entry into the Pans field. Her renowned skillset includes one of the sport's most spectacular arm bar systems, a tool she has consistently utilized to wreak havoc against high-level opponents. The light-featherweight division is composed of five competitors and offers a potential rematch between Emily and her familiar rival, Michal Baly. Emily's Pans campaign is certain to attract significant attention as she vies for her second major title of the season.

Elizabeth Genge returns to major title contention in the featherweight division at Pans. Elizabeth secured her inaugural grand slam event gold at the European Championships earlier this season. Her dominant performance featured two submissions and four decisive victories. The Stealth BJJ representative is surely aiming to improve upon each of her bronze medal performances at the Euros, Pans, and Worlds in 2025. Elizabeth enters the thirteen-competitor bracket as the top seed, carrying high expectations in an ultra-competitive bracket. Potential upset threats in her division include Tarciane Santos, Janette Glogger, and Gabrielle Baptista. Nevertheless, Elizabeth remains intensely focused on capturing her second major title of the season in impressive fashion.

Two highly talented brown belts are slated to compete in the female medium-heavyweight division. Gracie Barra’s Lauriane Afonso enters the event following a stellar performance at the European Championships. Lauriane secured her weight division title with fascinating execution before enrolling in the brown belt open class bracket. Her impressive run in the open class culminated in a silver medal, falling only to fellow watchlist competitor Nikolett Kis. Lauriane has earned well-deserved recognition entering the Pans as the top seed in the medium-heavyweight division. An intriguing narrative unfolds from BJJ College, where Livia Barasine will make her adult major debut in the brown belt division. Livia commenced the 2025 season in the blue belt juvenile 2 category, where she secured double-gold performances at all four grand slam events. She then entered the no-gi season at the purple belt level, concluding her year with a dominant double-gold performance at the No-Gi World Championships, which earned her a brown belt promotion. Across her two subsequent brown belt competitions, Livia has secured four gold medals, leading to immense anticipation for her major adult level debut. Lauriane Afonso and Livia Barasine appear to be on a direct collision course, potentially meeting in the finals of the prestigious Pan event.

Mairead Rowland-Coman earned the super-heavyweight title in Lisbon at the European Championships in January. The U Grapple Project athlete seems poised for a breakout campaign during the 2026 season as she focuses on capturing the second major title of the year. In a small five-competitor bracket, Yasmim Santos presents herself as the most dangerous challenger to Mairead, who enters the division as the number one seed.

The female brown belt division is saturated with talent, generating overwhelming excitement for the day 3 Pans action. Notably, a pair of 2025 purple belt World Champions, Eliza Nascimento and Tarciane Santos, underscore the depth of talent within the female brown belt category. Spectators are guaranteed to witness incredible action as the world receives a glimpse of the next cohort of elite black belt champions.

Male Purple Belt

The male purple belt divisions showcase many of the world’s most formidable prospects. A contingent of elite competitors are aiming to capture their second major title of the 2026 season, while anticipation builds for dominant athletes poised to make their major debut.

Ricardo Yoshito of AOJ returns to major competition having captured a major title at Euros. Ricardo’s impressive run featured four victories and a single submission, highlighting intricate guard play and his relentless spirit to prevail in a tough roosterweight division. His fierce opponent in the finals, Eiki Suzuki, is also entering the roosterweight division at Pans, pursuing redemption and a major title. Fellow AOJ standout, Fernando Paiva, has enlisted in the featherweight division, hoping to secure a second grand slam event gold medal. Fernando also delivered a spectacular performance at the Euros, claiming six victories and four submissions. This young prospect consistently generates thrilling matches, relentlessly attacking the back and demonstrating high-level guard systems. The featherweight division boasts forty-eight competitors, with Fernando claiming the top seed and earning well-deserved recognition before day 3 Pans action.

Kellyson Carlos seeks to extend his success in the purple belt division at the Pans. The CheckMat phenom enters the event ranked #5 globally among purple belts, generating distinct anticipation for his second major competition of 2026. Kellyson captured the lightweight title at the European Championships, marking his first grand slam triumph at the purple belt level. As the top seeded competitor in the deep 40-competitor division, expectations are elevated for this young prospect as he sets his sights on major championship glory once again. Notable contenders in the lightweight division include Evan Duncan, Luciano Lima, and former juvenile World Champion Anthony Silva.

The middleweight division is headlined by two elite purple belt prospects, Lucas Yan and Moussa Kadi. Moussa Kadi descends to the middleweight division after delivering a commanding performance at the Euros in January. Moussa secured the medium-heavyweight title, claiming five victories and four resounding submission finishes. The Unity Jiu-Jitsu product features a game characterized by masterful guard play and devastating armbar and footlock submission systems. His entry into the middleweight division establishes a potential collision with fellow purple belt star, Lucas Yan. Lucas secured a pair of gold medals at the European Championships, claiming a remarkable nine victories between the middleweight and open divisions. The BJJ College athlete exhibits elite offense from his back, preferring armbar and lapel chokes to compel his opponents to submit. The potential Moussa and Lucas matchup offers fans an opportunity to watch next-generation stars in the making battle for purple belt supremacy. Spectators can anticipate a struggle for bottom position in a highly technical and strategic duel that promises intense action.

Alliance standout Freddy Lele Talla is scheduled to compete in the heavyweight division, following a dominant European Championship performance. Having claimed the gold medal in Lisbon, Freddy secured five victories with two submissions. His strategy emphasizes stifling pressure and relentless submission hunting, promising fans thrilling action. As a comprehensively skilled competitor, Freddy poses a multitude of challenges to fellow heavyweight contenders from virtually any position he encounters. Freddy enters the heavyweight division as the top seed among twenty competitors, generating elevated expectations for the promising young talent. With 2025 Brasileiro and 2026 European titles on his resume, Freddy sets his sights on securing his third grand slam event gold medal at the purple belt level.

Day 3 affords spectators the opportunity to witness the escalating skill level of color belt technicians competing for the prestigious Pans title. Many of the sport's brightest prospects seek to capture the jiu-jitsu world spotlight, which will undoubtedly result in relentless action. Tune in to FloGrappling to catch all the thrilling competition on day 3 of the Pans.