Leandro Lo (in white) charges Michael Langhi’s guard at the 2013 Worlds. Dan Rod/GRACIEMAG

The 22nd BJJ Worlds begins this Thursday with blue- and white-belts going at it at the Walter Pyramid in California.

On the weekend, it will be time for the black-belts to step on the mats. Big names abound, including world champions like Marcus Buchecha, Bernardo Faria, Leandro Lo, André Galvão and Tarsis Humphreys, and former UFC fighters like Vinny Pezão. Romulo Barral, who retired last year, could not bear to just sit and watch — he’s back competing as a medium heavyweight. Gregor Gracie will be representing the family that started it all.

Find the complete schedule at IBJJF.org, and take a look next at our bets for the black belt divisions. Who do you think will come out ahead?

Men’s black belt

ROOSTER

Women’s black belt

Buchecha talked about his win over Lovato at the ADCC Trials. ADCC. Blanca Marisa Garcia

Four-time absolute BJJ world champion Marcus Buchecha had his first fight of the year last weekend when he faced Rafael Lovato Jr. in a matched fight at the ADCC’s American Trials in Anaheim, Calif. Buchecha imposed his game and scored 6-0.

“Everything went right in this fight,” he told Graciemag. “The plan was put to practice. I have fought 20 minutes a few times — once against Roger Gracie and once against Roberto Cyborg, — so I knew what it would be like to fight for longer than I’m used to. But I was ready for it; I managed to impose my wrestling game, applied four good takedowns, and achieved some good positions on the ground.”

An ADCC 2013 champion, Buchecha sat out the 2015 edition because of an injury. Now he is eyeing the Sep. 2017 event in Finland. “The ADCC is very different,” he said. “The last time I fought under these rules was 2013. So it was very good to do this fight before the main event. I think I fought well, but I saw that there’s a lot to improve upon to arrive in Finland in good shape.”

Buchecha will seek to extend his record at the Worlds.

Buchecha’s next appointment is the IBJJF World Championship in late May. “I’m training hard in the gi to to seek my fifth absolute title,” he said. “I know there will be many hurdles along the way, but I’m confident in my training.”

Buchecha’s presence is also confirmed for the IBJJF Pro League’s Heavyweight GP, Aug. 26 in Vegas. This tournament will host eight big names of BJJ fighting for a 40-thousand-dollar prize. Roger Gracie, Leandro Lo and André Galvão are also in the line-up.

The Long Beach Pyramid at the 2016 Worlds. Luca Atalla

The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) confirmed this Friday the schedule of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2017. The event is set to take place from May 31 through June 4. The venue has yet to be announced, but chances are the championship is sticking to the place it has called home since 2007 — Cal State Long Beach’s Walter Pyramid.