Anticipation is building for the first IBJJF major event of the 2026 season.  The European Championships host some of the world's top color belt athletes in the world, hoping to commence their season atop the podium.  The stage is set for the jiu-jitsu community to witness a beautiful display of world-class color belt action beginning on January 15th in Lisbon, Portugal.

Male Brown Belt

Marlon Tajik

Marlon Tajik is set to continue his dominant run as a brown belt, aiming for yet another major title. The Atos Jiu-Jitsu powerhouse rides a massive wave of momentum following an incredible double-gold showing at the 2025 No-Gi World Championships. Marlon intends to replicate his double-gold success from the 2025 European Championships. His impressive brown belt resume already includes three major titles and a double-bronze medal performance at the 2024 Worlds. Marlon’s game is characterized by technical jiu-jitsu, peak athleticism, and elite tactical awareness. Most notably, he guarantees memorable performances every time he steps onto the mats, boasting a high submission rate achieved through a sophisticated catalog of finishing systems. The entire jiu-jitsu community will undoubtedly be focused on the Atos competitor as he kicks off his 2026 campaign in pursuit of another major title.

 

Jeferson Silva

Jeferson Silva, representing DreamArt, enters the brown belt division following a successful purple belt career capped by double bronze at the 2025 World Championships. His final season at purple belt was nothing short of spectacular, highlighted by double-gold triumphs at the Pans and Brasileiro Championships, as well as a silver and a gold medal at the European Championships. With supreme athleticism and a dynamic passing game, Jeferson is focused on securing heavyweight gold at his first major brown belt event. His potential was previewed at Sul-Americano, where the DreamArt standout claimed two silver medals in a challenging bracket. Anticipated tough opposition for Jeferson includes Omar Nada and Henrique Soares as he pursues his first major title at the brown belt level.

 

Sebastian Sonntag

Sebastian Sonntag joins the middleweight fray at the 2026 European Championships, determined to capture his first major title in the brown belt division. Competing primarily in Europe, the Sigma Jiu-Jitsu athlete has had limited opportunities on the world's largest stages. However, his 2025 campaign included dominant double-gold performances across London, Dublin, and Venice, propelling him to the #3 overall ranking in the adult male brown belt gi divisions. Sebastian is poised for a breakout performance at the European Championships, potentially facing off with major hopefuls like Enzo Silva and Gustavo Augusto.

 

Female Brown Belt

Nikolett Kis

Nikolett Kis is making her highly anticipated brown belt debut at the 2026 European Championships. Kis built an impressive purple belt resume, earning Pans, European, and Brasileiro titles in 2025. Her final purple belt appearance was marked by a double-silver performance at the World Championship, generating considerable excitement for her 2026 brown belt season. Kis showcases a comprehensive game, featuring a high-level guard system that consistently confounds her opponents. The female lightweight division at the European Championship offers numerous thrilling matchups, including a potential clash with fellow watchlist competitor, Eliza Nascimento. The jiu-jitsu world eagerly awaits Nikolett's brown belt journey, which begins with the first major of the 2026 season.

 

Eliza Nascimento

Eliza Nascimento, representing Marcio Andre Jiu-Jitsu, was promoted to brown belt atop the World Championship podium after securing gold and bronze medals in 2025. Eliza's purple belt season was remarkable, highlighted by European and Worlds gold medals alongside a Pans double-silver performance. Her brown belt career commenced in the latter half of 2025 with a dominant double-double performance at Jiu-Jitsu Con, leading to gold and bronze medals at American Nationals. Euros marks Eliza's major debut at the brown belt level. Her brief yet formidable tenure in the new belt has already showcased her immense passing pressure and diverse submission arsenal, solidifying her status as a world-class competitor. A potential match-up against Nikolett Kis would generate significant buzz, as these two young brown belts look to make an emphatic statement early in the 2026 season.

 

Emily Leyva

Emily Leyva is the third watchlist competitor to receive her brown belt atop the World Championship podium in 2025. Emily concluded her purple belt career emphatically with a gold and bronze medal at the year's biggest gi event. Her stellar 2025 season saw the young Atos competitor claim gold medals at the Brasileiro, Pans, World, and European Championships. Emily is renowned for her exciting, submission-oriented style, with an armbar system that frequently leads to the demise of her opponents. Her consistent growth charts a soaring trajectory that jiu-jitsu enthusiasts should keenly follow as the Atos competitor targets her first brown belt major at the European Championships in January.

 

Male Purple Belt

Luan Camargo

CheckMat athlete, Luan Camargo, is set to compete in the super-heavyweight purple belt division at the 2026 European Championships. Luan completed an impressive 2025 campaign, notably securing gold and silver medals at Brasileiros as part of a season that yielded nine gold medals in IBJJF competition across Brazil. Luan plans to travel across the pond to compete at the first major event of 2026. Characterized by supreme control and positional dominance, Luan presents a formidable challenge for anyone in the super-heavyweight division. A potential match-up with Jose Victor presents an intriguing prospect as the two young Brazilians vie for the European Championship title.

 

Moussa Kadi

Moussa Kadi is currently in the midst of an unbelievable tear. The Unity Jiu-Jitsu representative, fresh off a double-gold performance at the No-Gi World Championship, is now refocusing on gi competition for 2026. The medium-heavyweight athlete is aiming for his first gi major title at the purple belt level amidst a tough bracket of high-level competitors. Last season saw Moussa secure gold medals at Jiu-Jitsu Con, American Nationals, and various open events. Moussa excels in elite guard play and submission threats, underscored by his devastating foot locks. Moussa Kadi is continually strengthening his case as one of the sport's top prospects. The jiu-jitsu community is undoubtedly focused on the young star's ascent through the competitive ranks.

 

Jose Victor

Jose Victor enters the 2026 season with tremendous momentum. The Soldiers Jiu-Jitsu representative captured two major titles in 2025, the Pans and World Championships, in addition to a Euros bronze medal. Jose possesses a well-balanced game, utilizing high-level systems from both top and bottom positions. He joins a talented super-heavyweight purple belt division that will certainly test him on his path to a potential repeat podium appearance. Jose is sure to command attention as he looks to begin his 2026 campaign on a high note.

 

Female Purple Belt

Nellyfer Ferreira

Nellyfer Ferreira joins the purple belt roosterweight division, driven to capture the European Championship title. Representing Nova Uniao, Nellyfer aims to extend her dominant run after securing Sul-Americano and Brasileiro gold in 2025. With a compact frame and keen positional awareness, Nellyfer poses a unique threat to her opponents. Her game is defined by powerful passing pressure and impressive backtakes, creating havoc in the lighter divisions. The young prospect is targeting another purple belt major title in January at the European Championships.

 

Rebecca Mayo

Rebecca Mayo, a native-European, is striving to capture her first major title in her 2026 campaign. Becky has been a commanding presence on the European open circuit, claiming seven gold medals throughout the 2025 season. Representing Allegiance Jiu-Jitsu, Becky demonstrates an impressive guard system that utilizes constant sweeping threats to overwhelm her opponents. The European Championships offer Becky a prime breakout opportunity on her home side of the global jiu-jitsu scene as she pursues purple belt middleweight gold.

 

Pairin Sullivan

Pairin Sullivan has become a familiar presence at major gi events. In 2025, she earned podium honors at the Pan, European, and World Championship events. The Crazy 88 athlete is focused on upgrading her status to gold as she enters the first major of the 2026 season. Her World Championship run in June underscored her submission-oriented style, utilizing a remarkably slick triangle setup to finish multiple opponents. Fans can anticipate seeing high-level guard play from Pairin as she hunts for her first major title at the purple belt level. Her prior experience at the event will undoubtedly be a key factor in propelling her toward a potentially deep run at the European Championships.

 

Male Blue Belt

Jonathan Anderson

Jonathan Anderson is set to make his highly anticipated adult debut. The European Championships will provide fans with their first look at the Gracie Barra athlete competing at the adult blue belt level. Jonathan makes the move after a phenomenal 2025 campaign in the juvenile 2 divisions, capturing Brasileiro, Pans, and European Championships, alongside a double-silver performance at the World Championships. Jonathan showcases a balanced and intensely active game, constantly hunting for submission finishes. He is enlisted in the light-featherweight division, one of the event's largest with over one hundred competitors. One of jiu-jitsu’s bright young stars aims to commence his adult competitive career by capturing a major title at the European Championships.

 

Female Blue Belt

Rafaella Vieira

Rafaella Vieira, the #1 ranked female gi blue belt in the world, joins the medium-heavyweight division at the European Championships. Rafaella, representing DreamArt, has overwhelmingly dominated the Brazilian jiu-jitsu scene at her level, securing twelve gold medals throughout the 2025 season. Most notably, Rafaella captured Brasileiros gold and silver medals, along with a Sul-Americano title. With dangerous guard play and an exceptional armbar system, Rafaella is seemingly a favorite to capture the medium-heavyweight blue belt gold at the European Championships.