The 2026 season has witnessed three major events across three continents, culminating with the prestigious World Championship event in Long Beach, California. The globe’s top blue belt athletes converge on Thursday (05/28) to vie for World Titles and the international jiu-jitsu spotlight. Prepare for the highly anticipated action with a look at some of the most intriguing divisions heading into the event.

 

Adult Male

Featherweight

European Champion: Júlio César

Pan Champion: Brendo Rozendo

Brasileiro Champion: Matheus Silva 

The adult male blue belt featherweight division has delivered intense action throughout the 2026 Grand Slam circuit. The three major events have witnessed the crowning of three distinct champions, leading many to believe the 154lb division may be the most competitive blue belt bracket of the tournament. Júlio César commenced the year with a fantastic European Championship performance that witnessed him secure seven victories in the largest bracket of the event. With a Euro title in hand, Júlio proceeded to secure a Brasileiro bronze medal in another deep division in São Paulo, Brazil. The CheckMat prospect utilizes supreme athleticism and a relentless pace to overwhelm his opponents with a series of attacks. The Pan featherweight champion and Brasileiro open class champion, Brendo Rozendo, returns to major title contention with high expectations. The top-seed Atos athlete features a submission-oriented style bolstered by his long frame and intricate technique. Brendo will surely lean upon his offensive guard to constantly threaten his opponents, as he searches for his third major title of the 2026 season. The #2 seed Matheus Silva of Alliance aims at building upon the momentum he created at Brasileiros. The featherweight champion earned six victories with three coming via submission finishes, proving his style is both effective and exciting. Matheus added bronze medal accomplishments at both the Pan and European Championship events earlier this season. The featherweight division presents sixty-four of the top international prospects whose eyes are set on Worlds glory. The jiu-jitsu community will undoubtedly maintain focus on this thrilling division of elite athletes, as each competitor aims to top the podium amongst one of the most challenging brackets in the category.

 

Lightweight

European Champion: Alyson Lima

Pan Champion: Alyson Lima

Brasileiro Champion: João Freires

The 168lb division features seventy-two competitors with World title ambitions. Alyson Lima of CheckMat has a proven pedigree of success at major events, leading him to earn the bracket’s top-seed. Alyson secured European and Pan Championships in an incredible campaign that he hopes culminates in Worlds glory. The young prospect promotes nonstop action with fascinating athleticism and a strong scrambling ability. Notably, Alyson’s top pressure underscores the dominant style he showcased at the European Championships where he secured six victories and three submissions. His Pans performance witnessed the CheckMat athlete capture another title with a seven match run, before earning a bronze medal at Brasileiros. João ‘Flashboy’ Freires toppled Alyson in a narrow Brasileiro semifinal decision victory, proving the Soldiers Jiu-Jitsu athlete’s impressive skillset. João secured the Brasileiro title with seven victories in a stacked lightweight bracket. The Soldiers competitor utilizes an intricate deep-half system to threaten sweeps and attack the back relentlessly. A potential rematch would surely capture the attention of the jiu-jitsu community, as both João and Alyson represent top blue belt prospects. Murilo Cardoso of Alliance boasts silver medals at Pan and European Championship events this season, and has proven his ability to contend with the division’s best. Graham Nascimento and Enrique Esteves represent potential dark horses in a deep division that promises thrilling action.

 

Middleweight

European Champion: Mougoutdine Akaimov

Pan Champion: Eduardo Cruz

Brasileiro Champion: Fernando Leal 

The middleweight division has displayed fierce competition through three major events in 2026. Top-seed, Fernando Leal, represents the only Grand Slam event champion returning to World Championship competition. The GF Team athlete secured the Brasileiro title behind a fantastic performance. Fernando secured five submission finishes across his seven match campaign to major event gold, displaying fantastic back taking and finishing prowess. After earning a juvenile 2 silver medal at the 2025 World Championships, Fernando returns to the event in the adult division with his sights set atop the podium. Challenging  the GF Team prospects is a collection of talented competitors who remain intent on claiming the World title. Davi Cruz and Luiz Otavio of CheckMat have Grand Slam experience at the adult blue belt level, as they enter as the #2 and #3 seeds respectively. Davi recently secured a bronze medal in Brasileiro competition, and enters the Worlds bracket as the #22 ranked blue belt overall. Luiz returns to Worlds competition after securing a medium-heavyweight bronze medal in the 2025 edition. Vision’s Gabriel Henrique joins the Worlds bracket with a pair of bronze medals from Pan and European Championship events this season. The 181lb division projects to be highly competitive, as Fernando Leal attempts to claim his second Grand Slam event title of the season amongst a slew of highly-talented prospects.

 

Medium-Heavyweight

European Champion: Guilherme Camargo

Pan Champion: Rhenzo Gama

Brasileiro Champion: Guilherme Camargo

The medium-heavyweight division has witnessed the rise of another promising prospect out of CheckMat. Guilherme ‘Castellinho’ Camargo has impressed through two major events in the 2026 season. Castellinho commenced the season with six victories en route to earning a medium-heavyweight European title. The CheckMat athlete returned to major competition at Brasileiros, capturing a weight-division gold and absolute silver medal with four submissions through his seven match run. Entering the competition as the top-seed, Castellinho has proven his talent amongst strong competition, drawing specific attention for his high-pace and submission-oriented style. Rhenzo Gama of Soldiers Jiu-Jitsu represents a top contender with the skillset to capture a World title. Rhenzo impressed throughout his 2026 Pans run that witnessed him secure four victories, two submission finishes, and the medium-heavyweight gold medal. Rhenzo utilizes a balanced attack with a dangerous submission arsenal that includes devastating footlock pressure. Most recently, Rhenzo earned a Brasileiro bronze medal before shifting his focus towards World Championship competition. Nurgazy Bagyshbekov joins the division as the #1 ranked male blue belt in the world. The AOJ prospect is hoping to improve upon his bronze medal finish at the 2025 Worlds, while also capturing his first major title of the current campaign. Thirty-three medium-heavyweight contenders present an immense amount of talent, each of whom carry World title aspirations.

 

Heavyweight

European Champion: Arthur Cunha

Pan Champion: Luca Ximenes

Brasileiro Champion: Arthur Cunha

Twenty-eight competitors comprise the adult blue belt heavyweight division at the 2026 Worlds. Arthur ‘Gordão’ Cunha enters the competition as the favorite to top the podium. The DreamArt prospect has enjoyed a fantastic 2026 campaign that includes European and Brasileiro triumphs. The reigning World silver medalist hopes to continue the momentum he has created to break through the bracket and claim the title. Gordão commenced the year with an impressive gold and silver medal performance at the European Championships in January. The DreamArt athlete returned to major competition at Brasileiros, where he secured the heavyweight title and open class bronze medal with six victories and four submissions. Gordão utilizes strong standing and top pressure to overwhelm his opponents while consistently hunting the submission finish. Luca Ximenes of Marcio Andre Jiu-Jitsu claimed his breakout performance at the 2026 Pans, where he submitted all four of his opponents en route to earning the gold medal. Luca’s strong submission arsenal establishes him as not only a strong contender to claim the World title, but an exciting prospect in the color belt ranks. Luca’s large frame and balanced attack are sure to provide challenges for any opponent, as he aims at claiming his second major title of the season. A potential clash between Gordão and Luca would draw significant attention, as the two athletes contend for Worlds glory this week. Jaden Mack, Thomas King, Kyle Inlander, and Francisco Cunha represent heavyweight hopefuls who intend to shake up the bracket.

 

Ultra-Heavyweight

European Champion: Bruno Garcez

Pan Champion: Bruno Garcez

Brasileiro Champion: Bruno Garcez

Bruno Garcez has shocked the jiu-jitsu community with three consecutive Grand Slam event titles in 2026. The Alliance product has proven his ability to dominate the ultra-heavyweight division with strong standing technique and smothering top pressure. Bruno enters the event as the top-seed and the #5 globally ranked blue belt after securing European, Pan, and Brasileiro ultra-heavyweight titles, as well as a Pan open class gold medal. Bruno remains the favorite to top the podium, however, a formidable group of contenders prepare for their upset bids. João Alves brings extensive blue belt major experience into the bracket. The DreamArt athlete has claimed bronze medals in the past two World Championship competitions, and recently secured his second Brasileiro silver medal. Kais Nazih, representing WAO, remains intent on earning his first major title after claiming Pans silver and European bronze medals in 2026. Tariq Johnson of Lebre Jiu-Jitsu returns to major title contention after capturing the bronze medal at Pans earlier this season. The ultra-heavyweight division has been controlled by Bruno Garcez in 2026, however, anything can happen with a World title hanging in the balance.

 

Open Class

European Champion: Mougoutdine Akaimov

Pan Champion: Bruno Garcez

Brasileiro Champion: Brendo Rozendo

Significant anticipation for the open class bracket will continue to build throughout blue belt competition day. Returning absolute champions from the 2026 season include Bruno Garcez and Brendo Rozendo, while a talented group of contenders will undoubtedly challenge the proven prospects. Notably, Brendo secured his absolute title at Brasileiro’s after placing in the featherweight division. Alyson Lima represents another smaller competitor who has hit the absolute podium in major competition this year, earning an open class bronze medal after winning the lightweight division at Pans. Bruno Garcez remains a strong favorite to top the absolute podium, while fellow larger competitors such as Mauricio Medeiros and Arthur Cunha are likely to join the bracket. The open class division has witnessed three separate athletes claim gold medals this season, while fans await to witness the new absolute blue belt champion at the 2026 Worlds.

 

Adult Female

Roosterweight

European Champion: Chloe Pereira

Pan Champion: Chloe Pereira

Brasileiro Champion: Chloe Pereira

A dominant force in the female blue belt division returns to major title contention in hopes of completing a Grand Slam event sweep in 2026. Chloe Pereira of Marcio Andre Jiu-Jitsu has captured well-deserved attention for her string of remarkable performances under the brightest lights. Chloe commenced the year with a 100% submission rate triumph at the European Championships. She progressed her season by claiming a second consecutive Pan roosterweight title, before securing her third major title at Brasileiro just weeks ago. Chloe enters the competition as the top-ranked female blue belt in the world, leading to immense expectations surrounding her second World Championship outing at the blue belt level. Kauane Lima and Ana Bevilacqua secure the #2 and #3 seeds respectively. Kauane earned a Pans silver medal this year, falling to Chloe in the finals. Ana captured a European bronze medal in January of this year, as she hopes to secure her first major title at the blue belt level. The storyline remains, will Chloe Pereira continue her dominant 2026 campaign with her first World Championship title?

 

Light-Featherweight

European Champion: Izabelly Costa

Pan Champion: Ashley Soto

Brasileiro Champion: Rebeca Vieira

The light-featherweight division has showcased highly-competitive brackets at every major event this year. Ashley Soto captured her first major event title at Pans, by defeating Rebeca Vieira in the finals. Ashley represents Pablo Silva BJJ and remains a strong contender to vie for her first World title. Rebeca Vieira bounced back from her Pan finals loss in a big way, capturing the Brasileiro light-featherweight title in commanding fashion. The GF Team prospect and division’s #1 seed must navigate the eighteen-competitor division to secure her second Grand Slam event title of 2026. Peyton Sandner also claimed a major event podium placement, securing a Pans bronze medal. With no clear-cut favorite in the light-featherweight division, fans can expect a highly-competitive bracket fueled by intense action.

 

Lightweight

European Champion: Alissa Lazar

Pan Champion: Lia Knox-Hershey

Brasileiro Champion: Helena Ferreira

The lightweight division remains one of the most anticipated brackets in the blue belt category. Three separate champions have each captured a major title in 2026, with Lia Knox-Hershey and Helena Ferreira enlisted in Worlds competition. Helena Ferreira of Vision began her year with a fantastic European Championship performance that witnessed her secure lightweight silver and open class gold medals across ten matches. Helena proceeded to secure her first Brasileiro title a mere three weeks ago. As the top-seed in the division, Helena is a favorite to contend for the World title amongst seventeen skilled competitors. Rebecca Nascimento claims the #2 seed in the division, following her fascinating Pans campaign. The Marcio Andre student secured lightweight silver and open class gold medals with eight victories and a number of submission finishes. Lia Knox-Hershey toppled Rebecca in the Pan finals to claim her first major title at the blue belt level. The Essential Jiu-Jitsu athlete enters the Worlds bracket as the #3 seed, hoping to earn her second Grand Slam event title of the season. Lily Barroso of Gracie Barra bumps up a weight class after earning the European featherweight title in January. Lily enters Worlds as the #4 seed in a deep bracket, hoping to claim her place atop the lightweight podium. Maria Quintino of Atos is enlisted in the bracket as a former juvenile World Champion hoping to claim her first major adult title. Maeva Delarosa collects the #5 seed in the division following her impressive Pans bronze medal campaign this season. The 141lb bracket has no shortage of elite prospects prepared to clash for Worlds glory.

 

Middleweight

European Champion: Martha Fairfax

Pan Champion: Talia Green

Brasileiro Champion: Emanuela Santos

The middleweight division boasts seven contenders who have captured Grand Slam event medals in their blue belt career. Talia Green of Diverso BJJ earned the top-seed as the reigning Pan Champion. Talia secured four victories in the middleweight division to establish herself as a major event champion and a serious contender in the Worlds bracket. The #2 overall ranked blue belt in the world rejoins major competition. Rafaella Vieira of DreamArt brings extensive experience into the stacked bracket as a former Brasileiro Champion and 2026 European bronze medalist. Rafaella has the proven ability to topple division favorites and up-and-coming prospects alike. Maria Johnson and Yasmin Silva have both secured silver medals in Grand Slam competition this season, earning the #3 and #4 seeds respectively. Melany Cordero, Giovanna Bomfim, and Makenna Sherry have all secured podium finishes at major events this season. The depth of talent in the middleweight division is astonishing, leading many to believe the 152lb division may be the most competitive Worlds bracket in the female blue belt category.

 

Medium-Heavyweight

European Champion: Hermione Medina

Pan Champion: Adrianna Jackson

Brasileiro Champion: Juliana Cidade

The twelve-competitor medium-heavyweight division presents a number of bright prospects. Juliana Cidade retains the top-seed in the bracket and receives distinct attention following her Brasileiro performance. The Scorpyon Jiu-Jitsu prospect delivered one of the most impressive major event debuts in recent memory. Juliana secured both medium-heavyweight and absolute titles in São Paulo, doing so in remarkable fashion. Through eight matches against top athletes, Juliana captured seven submission victories using a variety of finishing systems. The seventeen year old rising sensation projects to capture her first adult World title amidst a dangerous field of contenders. Adrianna Jackson secured the #2 seed in the division following a successful Pan outing this season. The Pedigo Submission Fighting athlete secured the medium-heavyweight title and the open class silver medal in a breakout performance. Sandra Kowalska fell to Adrianna in the Pan finals, and persevered through absolute competition to claim a silver and bronze medal at the 2026 Pans. The medium-heavyweight division is composed of up-and-coming talent, who are ready to claim the Worlds spotlight.

 

Heavyweight

European Champion: Francesca Recchi

Pan Champion: Emari Brown

Brasileiro Champion: Anna Clara Pinheiro

Ten of the globe’s top blue belt heavyweights prepare to clash under the brightest lights. All three major event champions are enlisted in Worlds competition, creating a thrilling narrative in the 175lb division. Francesca Recchi commenced the 2026 Grand Slam circuit with a European gold and silver medal performance. The Milano Jiu-Jitsu athlete secured a trio of finishes in seven matches, showcasing immense heart and beautiful technique throughout her weight and open class divisions. Anna Pinheiro secures the #2 seed in the division following her Brasileiro triumph in the heavyweight division. The Soldiers Jiu-Jitsu product claimed her breakthrough moment in São Paulo, after reaching major event podiums on three occasions in 2026. Anna displays a well-balanced attack with strong top-pressure and consistent sweeping attacks. Emari Brown of Fabin Rosa claims the #3 seed in the division as the reigning heavyweight Pan Champion. Brooke Allen earned the Pan silver medal after falling to Emari in the finals. Riley Elizabeth and Ana Caroline each earned podium placements in Grand Slam events in 2026. The heavyweight World Championship bracket features numerous high-level prospects with the proven ability to claim gold medals on the biggest stages.

 

Open Class

European Champion: Helena Ferreira

Pan Champion: Rebecca Nascimento

Brasileiro Champion: Juliana Cidade

The female blue belt open class division promises elite competition. The brackets will remain incomplete until all weight class competition has completed, however, projected competitors include Helena Ferreira, Rebecca Nascimento, and Juliana Cidade each of whom have tasted absolute gold this season. Francesca Recchi, Anna Pinheiro, Adrianna Jackson, and a host of elite prospects are likely to enlist in open class competition. In extraordinary fashion, two of the year’s Grand Slam event absolute champions have come from lightweight competitors. The female blue belt category presents a collection of promising competitors who will undoubtedly deliver thrilling action.

 

Tune into FloGrappling to witness all the elite blue belt competition at the 2026 World Championships.