The wait is nearly over. On Sunday, November 23rd, the world’s best jiu-jitsu athletes will once again step onto the mats at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California, for the third edition of The Crown, Presented by FloGrappling. The invitational event brings together elite black belts from around the globe to compete for one of the most prestigious titles in the sport.

Since its debut in 2023, The Crown has quickly become one of the most anticipated events of the year, showcasing champions, rising stars, and some of the most unforgettable matches in recent memory. Each division features eight athletes, handpicked for their skill and accomplishments, making every match a must-watch encounter.

Let’s take a closer look at one of the most anticipated events of 2025.

Men’s Featherweight Division: A New King Awaits

2023 Champion: Sam Nagai | 2024 Champion: Diego “Pato” Oliveira

With both previous champions out of this year’s lineup, the men’s featherweight division is wide open, and stacked with talent hungry to seize the throne.

Leading the charge in the featherweight division is 2025 World Champion João “Bisnaga” Mendes, who enters The Crown in peak form following a career best performance at this year’s World Championships. Showcasing world-class guard work, precise passing, and veteran level experience, Bisnaga captured his first black belt World title this year and solidified his place among the division’s elite. After earning silver at The Crown in 2024, he now returns with momentum and the confidence of a reigning World Champion, ready to claim the throne.

Joining him is 2025 Brasileiro Champion and 2024 World No-Gi Champion Cole Abate, one of the brightest young stars in the sport. Abate has shown remarkable maturity and composure on the biggest stages, combining technical excellence with a sharp competitive edge.

Ademir Barreto of GF Team, a 2025 World silver medalist, also enters the mix determined to capture his first major title in the gi. His aggressive style and experience against the division’s best make him a dangerous threat to anyone in the bracket.

Veteran Kennedy Maciel, representing Alliance, also has his sights set on the throne. After a dominant 2024 season that saw him win the Europeans, Pans, and Brasileiros, Kennedy now looks to add The Crown to his list of accomplishments. With a World No-Gi title and years of success since earning his black belt in 2018, Maciel brings both experience and elite technique to every match.

The rest of the field, Danilo Moreira, Eduardo Granzotto, Keven Carrasco, and Marco Mendes, features rising black belts who have already proven themselves against world-class opposition. Each brings a unique style and hunger to break through at one of the sport’s premier events.

With youth, experience, and championship pedigree all converging in this division, fans can expect an action-packed bracket where no match is predictable and every exchange could shape the path to the throne.

Women’s Lightweight Division: A Historic Lineup of Champions

2023 Champion: Luiza Monteiro | 2024 Champion: Brianna Ste-Marie

The women’s lightweight division at The Crown 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated female black belt brackets in jiu-jitsu history. Returning to defend her title is Brianna Ste-Marie, the 2024 Crown Champion, who captured gold last year with an incredible performance that culminated in a victory over Janaina Lebre in the final. A two-time World No-Gi Champion and World silver medalist, Ste-Marie has proven herself as one of the most complete and consistent competitors in the sport today.

Standing across from her once again is Janaina Lebre, fresh off one of the most dominant seasons of her career. Lebre won every major Grand Slam title in 2025, winning the Europeans, Pans, Brasileiros, and Worlds, and now looks to cap off her historic year with a Crown title. Her combination of aggressive guard work and pressure passing have made her a major favorite to take home gold in any bracket she enters.

Adding to the excitement are two of jiu-jitsu’s most promising young black belts: Sarah Galvão and Cassia Moura. At just 19 years old, Sarah has already won double gold at the American Nationals and the Asian Championships, following a colored belt career in which she claimed every major title. Her debut at The Crown marks her biggest challenge yet, and fans are eager to see how her dynamic style translates against the division’s elite.

Also just 19, Cassia Moura of Lead BJJ is returning for her second appearance at The Crown. The 2025 Brasileiro Champion and Pan silver medalist continues to impress with her technical maturity and composure on the mat, and she’ll look to make a major statement against the division’s most seasoned veterans.

Bianca Basilio, a two-time World Champion, brings nearly a decade of black belt experience to the bracket. Though she’s been less active in recent seasons, her track record speaks for itself. She's faced and defeated some of the sport’s most decorated names using her trademark footlock and well rounded game.

Dropping down from middleweight are two World Champion athletes: Elisabeth Clay and Thalyta Silva. Clay, a 2025 Brasileiro Champion and four-time World No-Gi Champion, is known for her lethal guard and elite submission arsenal. Thalyta, the 2025 Middleweight World Champion, will look to impose her trademark pressure passing in her first Crown appearance at lightweight.

Rounding out the field is Sabrina Gondim of Fight Sports, a Pans and Brasileiros silver medalist who continues to rise through the ranks of the elite female divisions. With her technical skill and fearless approach, she’s a serious dark horse capable of disrupting any bracket.

This year’s women’s lightweight lineup combines World Champions, young prodigies, and seasoned veterans, all at the peak of their careers. It’s a division that combines a clash of generations, styles, and champions, all in pursuit of one of jiu-jitsu’s most coveted titles.

Murasaki & Nagai Lead a Stacked Middleweight Division with Several New Contenders

2023 Champion: Tainan Dalpra | 2024 Champion: Andy Murasaki

The middleweight division at The Crown 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing brackets of the entire event. Returning champion Andy Murasaki is back to defend his title after an incredible run last year. A 2024 Crown Champion, 2023 European Champion, and 2022 World No-Gi Champion, Murasaki has built a reputation for his precision, control, and relentless pressure passing. He’ll face a fresh group of challengers this year, including Jackson Nagai, the 2024 World and Pan Champion, known for his dynamic, fast-paced, and creative style that keeps fans on their feet. 

Pedro Maia, the 2024 Brasileiro Champion and 2023 World silver medalist, also joins the lineup, bringing his inventive submission game and previous Crown experience to the division. Making his highly anticipated black belt major debut is Mateo Cardona, the 2025 World brown belt champion and one of AOJ’s most promising young talents. Rounding out the field are new black belts Jose Steve (Dream Art), Danilo Wruck (Alliance), Mateus Moraes (Brasa CTA), and Luiz Victor (Marcio André Jiu-Jitsu), each eager to make their mark against some of the sport’s biggest names. With a mix of proven champions and rising stars, the middleweight division promises intriguing matchups and high-level jiu-jitsu from start to finish.

The Crown’s Heavyweight Division Brings Together Legends and Rising Stars

2023 Champion: Fellipe Andrew | 2024 Champion: Adam Wardzinski

Since 2024, the heavyweight division has belonged to Adam Wardzinski. The Polish powerhouse has been on an extraordinary run, capturing gold at the Europeans, Worlds, and The Crown in 2024. He carried that dominance into 2025, adding European, Pan, Brasileiro, and World titles to his résumé. Wardzinski, who earned his black belt in 2016, has spent nearly a decade refining his trademark butterfly guard and top pressure game, and the past two years have seen him at his absolute best.

But this year’s Crown heavyweight bracket is packed with dangerous challengers ready to test the reigning champion. Brea Jiu-Jitsu’s Nolan Stuart, just 23 years old, has already claimed Pan gold and silver at both the Worlds and Brasileiros, signaling the rise of a new generation. Lucas “Hulk” Barbosa, the 2018 World Champion, will make his long-awaited return to IBJJF competition, and his Crown debut, bringing over a decade of elite experience and intensity to the division. Paulo Merlin of Gracie Barra, the 2024 Pan silver medalist, will also return for his second Crown appearance, looking to capture his first major invitational title.

AOJ’s Mateus Rodrigues, the 2024 Pan Champion, joins the division for the first time, while Igor Tanabe of Brasa CTA makes his return to jiu-jitsu competition after a stint in mixed martial arts. Windson Torres of Six Blades comes into The Crown riding momentum from his 2025 European Championship title, and Robson Chaves, the 2024 brown belt absolute World Champion, steps up on just two weeks’ notice, ready to bring his forward-pressing style to the black belt stage.

With a mix of proven champions and rising stars, the heavyweight division at The Crown promises to deliver plenty of action and unforgettable matchups.

Gabrieli Pessanha Aims For Third IBJJF Crown Title 

2023 Champion: Gabrieli Pessanha | 2024 Champion: Gabrieli Pessanha

The female Super-Heavyweight division features two rival Grand Slam Champions alongside a roster of young competitors eager to seize the spotlight.

The 2025 IBJJF Crown presents Gabrieli Pessanha with the opportunity to further solidify her already legendary résumé. The 10X World Champion has established herself among jiu-jitsu royalty, but the 25-year-old is far from finished. Gabi’s dominant 2025 campaign was interrupted by the Brasileiro Super-Heavyweight Final, which Tayane Porfirio won, ending Gabi’s bid for an extraordinary fourth consecutive Double Grand Slam. Although her record-breaking unbeaten streak ended, the InFight representative remains poised to claim her third consecutive Crown title.

Standing in Gabi’s way is her fierce rival, Tayane Porfirio, who controlled the Super-Heavyweight black belt division during Gabi’s rise through the colored belts. Tayane burst onto the scene as a purple belt in 2015, carrying her success as a colored belt into major milestones as a black belt. Tayane won double gold at the Worlds in 2017 and has continued to build upon her achievements. Her relentless pressure and extensive championship experience will serve her well in a relatively young bracket.

Larissa Dias, the other World Champion athlete in the division, claimed her titles in 2022 and 2025. Larissa embodies consistency, having earned podium placements in the last four World Championship events and collecting multiple major titles along the way. Confidence will be high for Larissa as she aims to complete an undefeated 2025 campaign, adding a Crown title to her World and Pan Championship accolades.

Throughout 2025, contenders in the female Super-Heavyweight division have impressed. Maria Vicentini, widely known as ‘Maca’ and representing AOJ, aims to continue her strong run, which includes victories at the Brasileiro and Pan Championships.  Izadora Cristina seeks her breakthrough moment; the DreamArt athlete has reached the podium at the last three Pan Championships and most recently earned bronze in the Worlds Absolute Division. With their skill and physicality, Izadora and Maca are strong candidates to challenge for the Crown.

The division also features a wealth of young talent eager to overtake the seasoned veterans. Notably, two 2024 brown belt World Champions, Giovanna Carneiro and Anabel Lopez, bring impressive resumes into The Crown event. The 20-year-old Anabel Lopez, from CheckMat, is an athletic and explosive competitor, equally dangerous in both No-Gi and Gi. Her resume as a black belt already includes a Worlds No-Gi gold and a Worlds bronze medal in the Heavyweight division. Giovanna Carneiro earned her black belt atop the podium at the 2024 World Championships. At just 20 years old, the multiple time color belt World Champion offers maturity beyond her years. Maria Alencar, the newest black belt of the group, enters the event after an outstanding 2025 campaign, earning gold at all four major brown belt competitions. The Atos rising star looks to prove herself at the highest level on November 23rd.

Gabi Pessanha headlines an impressive Super-Heavyweight division that blends youth with experience. Viewers can anticipate high-level technique and explosive athletes competing for the coveted 2025 Crown Title.

Ultra-Heavyweight Hopefuls Eye Erich Munis’ Crown

2023 Champion: Erich Munis | 2024 Champion: Erich Munis

The ultra-heavyweight division is comprised of deeply experienced competitors and hungry prospects, all vying for the coveted Crown.

Erich Munis, the current #1 pound-for-pound gi athlete in the world, returns from consecutive Crown titles with the goal of retaining his glory. The ‘Soldier of Christ’ enters the Walter Pyramid with unwavering confidence and supreme talent. Viewers can anticipate a dangerously fluid guard, characterized by effortless flow and control, from the six time black belt World Champion.

Gustavo Batista, better known as Brahuinha, undoubtedly has the résumé to make waves in the Crown's ultra-heavyweight division.  After narrowly missing his third straight World Championship title in 2025, Brahuinha looks to add The Crown title to his growing list of accomplishments.  A physical competitor who combines a dangerous guard with relentless top pressure, Brahuinha will be a formidable challenge for anyone standing in front of him.

The bracket displays significant depth, featuring athletes such as Pedro Lucas, who has reached the podium at multiple major events this year. Patrick Gaudio brings a wealth of experience to the mats; a decorated competitor with a proven track record of winning when the stakes are highest. Two reigning No-Gi World Champions, Elder Cruz and Marcos Carrozzino, showcase aggressive pressure and heavy top games that translate well into the ultra-heavyweight division. 

Every great bracket has a true dark horse, one capable of surpassing the level of the greats across from them. Guilherme Avelino, representing Alliance, joins the bracket after recently earning his black belt following an impressive brown belt campaign. Explosive and athletic, Avelino aims to make his mark at this prestigious event.  Another rising star, Francisco Papasidero, enters the tournament on late notice looking to capture his first major title at black belt.  This weekend marks the one-year anniversary of Papasidero receiving his black belt, as the AOJ representative looks to celebrate by placing The Crown atop his head.

The Ultra-Heavy Crown will likely go through Erich Munis, who will face a gauntlet of rising stars and seasoned veterans all eager for their seat on the throne.

You are not going to want to miss the 2025 edition of The Crown, presented by FloGrappling! You can purchase tickets online at crownibjjf.com . If you can’t make it to Long Beach, be sure to watch the event live on FloGrappling. The Crown is sponsored by Kingz Kimonos and Wilner and O'Reily.