An emergent force in the black belt lightweight division has announced his formidable presence on the global stage. Will Wilson of Carlson Gracie launched his 2026 campaign with a phenomenal gold medal triumph at the European Championships in January. A dominant figure throughout the color belt ranks, Will now sets his sights on jiu-jitsu stardom as he enters the prime of his career. His ascent to becoming an elite athlete is a testament to unwavering determination and discipline. Will’s next challenge will be his inaugural black belt superfight on the prestigious Absolute Grand Prix card on February 26th.

Will’s story began in Maui, Hawaii, as the son of a former military veteran. Homeschooled during his youth, Will received an early immersion into jiu-jitsu with the objective of becoming a World Champion competitor. At just four years old, Will enrolled in his first class under the tutelage of Professor Christian Grandi at Carlson Gracie Lahaina. Displaying immediate talent as a young athlete, Will transitioned into the adult class by the age of eleven. As a juvenile World Champion, Will received well-deserved recognition and established high expectations for subsequent success in the adult divisions.

Detailing his devotion to becoming an elite athlete, Will shared, “I would watch IBJJF Pans and Worlds replays and Rickson Gracie’s ‘Choke’ documentary during breakfast. My life was jiu-jitsu.” From an early age, Will was fortified through discipline and an unyielding work ethic. “All of this was done with the intent to prepare me to become the toughest black belt I could be. Essentially, my childhood was meticulously engineered to prepare me to be a high-level black belt competitor and any other potential challenges life may present.”

As Will gained experience through the kids divisions, a realization emerged in the form of a necessary transition into training within the Southern California jiu-jitsu epicenter. With profound dedication to the Carlson Gracie team, Will began seeking a SoCal-based academy that mirrored the heritage of his hometown school. Ultimately, he connected with Professor Andre Alemão of Carlson Gracie South Bay, “We visited multiple Carlson Gracie academies and ultimately met Professor Andre Alemão, and we instantly clicked. Meeting a high-level instructor of the Carlson Gracie lineage, in the town where my parents grew up, it was meant to be.”

After his inaugural World Championship performance in the juvenile blue belt division, Will savored the triumph he had long pursued. Numerous gold medals and major podium placements intensified the drive of the young Carlson Gracie competitor as he continued his intense mission to become a black belt World Champion. Now a rising young black belt, Will is poised for a breakout performance at the sport's highest echelon.

To kick off the 2026 season, Will entered the European Championships lightweight division, featuring talented peers such as Mateo Cardona, Lucas Maquiné, and Kevin Mahecha. He demonstrated the smash pass and high-level guard play he honed through years of intense color belt competition. Will secured the lightweight major title in commanding fashion, exhibiting precise technique and an unwavering mindset. He shared his feelings upon capturing the European title by stating, “Winning is always gratifying, big or small; we prepare the same way for every IBJJF open or major tournament, and this Europeans just confirmed that everything I already believed about myself is true. Staying active in competition has been a big part of our system, and I’m looking forward to riding the momentum from Europeans as I build towards the next challenges.”

Will’s success at the black belt level is unsurprising to his inner circle, as his discipline and commitment have remained steadfast since his youth. While his physical preparedness has always been important, Will believes his mindset is his biggest advantage.  “Being physically prepared is one thing; anybody can do that, but being mentally prepared is what sets you apart from the pack. Since before I can remember, I’ve always had a very strict and concise strength and conditioning program, and the success you’re seeing now can be attributed to our drive to consistently push ourselves to be the best.”

Will intends to continue his breakout black belt campaign as he prepares for his next match at the Absolute Grand Prix on February 26th, where he’s set to duel one of the sport's brightest young talents, Cole Abate. A fellow high-level competitor who started preparing for his spectacular black belt career at a young age, Cole has certainly paved a path for exciting prospects such as Will Wilson. Now, the two athletes are set to face off in a highly anticipated lightweight superfight. Addressing his expectations for the match, Will declared, “I invest zero mental equity into my opponents, and focus only on what I can control. My goal in every match is to impose my will, and on February 26th we’ll let the cards fall where they may.”

Be sure to catch Will Wilson vs. Cole Abate at the IBJJF Absolute No-Gi Grand Prix on February 26th in Costa Mesa, California. Tickets can be purchased here. If you can’t make it out to Costa Mesa, be sure to catch all the action live on FloGrappling. The 2026 IBJJF Absolute No-Gi GP is sponsored by Kingz and Fuji.