The 10 Must-Watch Athletes At IBJJF Worlds 2025

Every year, athletes embark on their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey filled with hope to make their dreams come true and make history. With a month coming before the World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2025, grappling fans can’t help but wonder who among the Jiu-Jitsu stars (and rising stars) will yet again start the major IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu competition circuit calendar with a bang to pave their way for an eventual Grand Slam. If you’re looking for the athletes to watch at the 2025 IBJJF World Championships, this article is your ultimate guide.

The IBJJF Major Competition Circuit

Every year, the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) puts up four major Gi competitions, namely the European IBJJF Championships, Pan IBJJF Championships, Campeonato Brasileiro (CBJJ), and the IBJJF World Championships (to be held this May 29 – June 1). These are considered the most prestigious Gi tournaments globally and are the go-to competitions of professional Jiu-Jitsu athletes who want to make a name in the sport.

Winning all these competitions is equivalent to winning the “Grand Slam” in Jiu-Jitsu and is the primary goal of athletes looking to have their names engraved in the sport’s history. With the upcoming IBJJF Worlds, below are the 10 athletes you should consider watching.   

1) Adam Wardzinski

Adam Wardzinski is the definition of hard work and grit. He fought to the top, becoming the best in his country (Poland), Europe, and the world by winning the 2024 IBJJF World Championship. He is regarded as one of this generation’s top heavyweight Gi competitors and is widely known for his butterfly game with the Gi.

Above all, Adam is the first European male to win an IBJJF black belt world title. He recently won the 2024 Worlds, 2025 Europeans, and 2025 Pans. With the upcoming 2025 Brasileiro, will Adam continue his momentum and win the IBJJF Grand Slam this year? Let’s find out soon enough.

2) Diego “Pato” Oliveira

Like Adam, Diego Pato has also won the 2024 Worlds and the 2025 Europeans and Pans and is on his way to the Grand Slam. He is a three-time IBJJF World Champion and a two-time IBJJF No-Gi World Champion. He is widely known for his well-rounded grappling game, which includes a solid leg-lock attack and defense, grappling stand-up, and exciting scrambles.

3) Gabi Pessanha

At only 24, Gabi is one of the most dominant female Jiu-Jitsu competitors in history and has nearly won double gold in every major IBJJF competition since the pandemic. She has won eight IBJJF World Championships (weight class and category), is an IBJJFNo-Gi World Champion, and is a multiple-time Grand Slam champion. Looking unstoppable and currently on a winning streak, Gabi is on her way and is looking to secure another Grand Slam title.

4) Cole Abate

“Ice” Cole Abate is a young phenom and BJJ star under AOJ (Art of Jiu-Jitsu) who is under the tutelage of the Jiu-Jitsu legends, the Mendes brothers. He made his breakthrough by winning the ADCC East Coast Trials as a 16-year-old blue belt, beating veteran and black belt grapplers in his division. At only 20, he is already an IBJJF No-Gi World Champion and is now widely known as one of the stars in the modern grappling world.

Cole has a complete play style and can maneuver his way from guard to top position. He has a finesse passing system, back takes, and sweeps.

5) Mica Galvao

At 21, Mica Galvao is also among the sport’s young superstars. He is one of the youngest IBJJF World Champions, and in 2024, he achieved a feat that only he and Rubens Charles have done in the history of Jiu-Jitsu: winning the Super Grand Slam (winning the four IBJJF major tournaments and the ADCC World Championship in one season).

Mica has a dynamic play style that displays an explosive stand-up and submission game where he can employ submissions from all angles, even in positions his opponents least expect.

6) Tainan Dalpra

Tainan Dalpra is also one of the sport’s young stars and is a product of AOJ and the Mendes brothers. He is a two-time IBJJF World Champion and was one win away from winning the Grand Slam in the IBJJF World Championship in 2023. With a healthy competition year ahead, Tainan wants to conquer more championships in the IBJJF circuit.

Tainan plays a timing-based game, partnered with his excellent passing and guard game. He wrestles up to take the top position and works on his passing sequence from there.

7) Fabricio Andrey

Fabricio Andrey, also known as “Hokage,” is one of the most exciting grapplers today. He is an IBJJF World Champion and an ADCC Brazilian Trials champion. At only 25, Fabricio is looking to make a statement, and his name echoes in the grappling world, especially with his current deal to compete under the ONE Championship banner.

Fabricio plays a dynamic game. He employs an explosive stand-up game like a wrestler who’s always prepared to attack and counter from takedowns. He can hit leg locks well and submit his opponents with flashy submissions while outworking them with constant pressure.

8) Mayssa Bastos

At only 27, Mayssa Bastos is already regarded as one of the best female Jiu-Jitsu athletes. She is a five-time IBJJF World Champion, four-time No-Gi World Champion, and multiple-time Pans, European, and Brazilian Nationals Champion. Despite being the smaller and lighter grappler, Mayssa is open to challenging herself to compete against opponents in the heavier weight classes.

9) Ffion Davies

Ffion is a Welsh black belt under Darragh O’Conaill and is widely considered one of the best female grapplers today. She is a two-time IBJJF World Champion, a four-time IBJJF No-Gi World Champion, and an ADCC World Champion. Despite being an average-sized grappler, Ffion is known for her technical superiority, which allows her to dominate her rivals and male training partners who are twice her size.

10) Andy Murasaki

Andy Murasaki is also one of the young grappling stars today, having worked extensively with Caio Terra and Andre Galvao. He is one of the strongest pound-for-pound Jiu-Jitsu athletes and is an IBJJF No-Gi World Champion. Despite falling short in the 2022-2024 IBJJF World Championship finals, Andy is determined to win this year’s IBJJF World Championship.

Conclusion

The IBJJF World Championship, being the most prestigious Gi Jiu-Jitsu tournament, tests the will and spirits of aspiring champions looking to make a name in the sport. Keeping the competitive spirit of the classic Jiu-Jitsu, let’s watch on the stands for the upcoming champions that will be crowned in this year’s IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

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