Weekend Recap | Albuquerque & Memphis Opens
Showcase Athletes Captured the Weekend Spotlight Across Two Events
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This past weekend featured two events in the United States: the Albuquerque Open in New Mexico and the Memphis Open in Tennessee.
The Albuquerque Open delivered impactful action across gi, no-gi, and kids divisions.
Juvenile standout athletes secured Open Championship gold with stellar performances in the blue belt gi divisions. A pair of exceptional athletes from Pablo Silva BJJ achieved double-gold honors, with Natalie Rodriguez and Titus Ortiz claiming four impressive victories in the juvenile division. João Figueiredo of Marcio Andre Jiu-Jitsu also impressed through his four matches to secure two gold medals.
Rookie black belt Tarcisio Santos of Marcio Andre Jiu-Jitsu earned double-gold, going 3-0 and capturing the absolute title as a lightweight against high-level competition. Jaine Fragoso of Caio Terra Association also achieved double gold, triumphing in the middleweight and absolute divisions with three consecutive ankle lock submissions. She then added a further victory in no-gi to cap off a remarkable weekend performance.
João Nicolite, also representing Caio Terra Association, secured gold in the gi heavyweight division with two victories, before adding another title in the no-gi ultra heavyweight division. Two-time World No-Gi Champion Everton Teixeira delivered a dominant performance as well, winning both of his gi matches via submission and earning a bronze in the no-gi absolute.
Austin Morris, representing The Forge Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, impressed across two challenging matches in the no-gi absolute black belt division, ultimately securing the gold medal. AOJ’s Dominic Manno claimed brown belt double gold with three decisive matches and three submissions. He is set to compete next in a gi superfight against Luan Veras at the upcoming IBJJF Absolute No-Gi Grand Prix in Costa Mesa.
In Memphis, GF Team’s Ademir Barreto dominated four matches to earn double gold in the gi, then added a victory in no-gi to secure his third gold medal of the weekend. Chazz Canas of Essential Jiu-Jitsu made his black belt debut, earning a single victory to capture the no-gi absolute gold. Erich Ingram joined the podium honors after conquering the master 1 absolute gold medal through two tough-fought contests.
The 2026 IBJJF Absolute No-Gi Grand Prix in Costa Mesa, California, is rapidly approaching in just 10 days. The eight-man bracket is now finalized, and the event will also showcase superfights featuring some of the sport’s most accomplished athletes.
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