Felipe Pena was the standout of the adult male black belt division at the 2016 European.

He won the open class after a thrilling battle with Erberth Santos in the semifinal.

First he defended a nasty armbar to then choke Santos from the back and close out the division with his Professor Romulo Barral.

Click play to watch a highlight reel of Preguiça in Lisbon.

Felipe Pena vs. Erberth Santos

The finalists for the adult black belt open class division have been set after a day of thrills in Lisbon.

In the male open class, Romulo Barral and Felipe Pena will most probably close out the final.

Barral fought four times this Saturday and finished all his opponents with chokes.

The leader of Gracie Barra Northridge first choked Andreas Perales from the mount, then Daniel Cobb and Patrick Santos from the half guard.

In the semifinal, Rominho had a tough match against Jackson Sousa, but ended up choking the opponent from the back.

Rominho vs. Jackson Sousa

On the other side of the bracket, Pena started his run choking Josh Hinger from the back, then he did the same with Manuel Oliveira. The quartefinal match was against Alan Finfou, also choked from the back.

The semifinal against Erberth Santos was the most thrilling match of the day. Pena was able to resist a nasty armbar and then went on to get a bow and arrow choke in place with seconds left on the clock.

Mackenzie vs. Olga Lyashevska

In the female division, Mackenzie Dern had three matches and finished all her opponents.

She first caught Maria Dolores with a toe hold in 19s, then an omoplata on Venla Luukkonen in 56s and finally another toe hold on Olga Lyashevska in 1:32.

On the other side of the bracket, Andresa Correa was also merciless against her opponents. She first caught Paula Almeida with a leg lock, then beat Shanti Abelha 9-0 and finally caught Luiza Monteiro in another leg lock.

Andresa vs. Luiza Monteiro

The finals go down this Sunday, after all the black belt weight classes play out.

Coverage brought to you by Gameness.

Here are the best images of the open class division.

The registration deadline for the 2016 European championship is this Monday, January 11.

As a matter of fact, it’s most likely that the full capacity will be reached before the clock strikes midnight, as we are over the 90% mark.

Click here to register now and compete on January 20*-24, in Lisbon, Portugal.

Here are seven things that make the annual stoppage at the beautiful city of Lisbon such a particular occasion in the Jiu-Jitsu calendar.

The coverage of the 2016 European is brought to you by Gameness. Click here for great offers.

1. The crowd

The bleachers in Lisbon are always full and the crowd is not shy in being a huge part of the show. They cheer, they boo and they applaud great moments on the mats. Gabi Garcia said last year that meeting the crowd in Lisbon is one of her favorite things in Jiu-Jitsu. André Galvão was cheered in every single match during last year’s edition.

2. Location, location, location

Lisbon has all the great things you would expect from a major European capital, but without having to pay for Paris or London prices. The food is amazing, it’s not that cold, the people is super friendly and there are a lot of great sights to be visited in your free time. Brazilians love it to go there because they speak the same language as the locals (well, almost), so everybody is happy.

3. History

Since 2004, the European championship has been the setting for some of the most touching moments in Jiu-Jitsu history. In 2005, it was in Lisbon that Roger Gracie and Ronaldo Jacaré met for the first time after the famous armbar final at the 2004 Worlds. In 2009, Kron Gracie fought and won the middleweight division hours after learning that his grandfather Helio Gracie had passed away in Brazil. Kron’s celebration after the final win was one of the most touching moments ever. In 2013, Alan “Finfou” Nascimento brought the entire venue to tears when he returned the black belt Fernando Tererê had once sold to him while battling drug addiction.

4. Annual reunion 

The European championship is the first event of the calendar and also the moment of reunion for the Jiu-Jitsu community after the holiday break. Other than that, it’s the largest gathering for the BJJ people in Europe and so they come from all over the continent and beyond to celebrate the art they all love.

5. Surprise!

The European championship has also been the stage for some of the most surprising moments in Jiu-Jitsu history. Featherweight Mario Reis won the open class division in 2006 and still is the lightest competitor to have that title. Alex Trans broke the Brazilian domination in 2014, when he became the first European-native to win the open class gold medal. In 2013, Keenan Cornelius had two thrilling battles with the Miyao brothers before winning the brown belt open class division. What thrills can we expect from 2016?

The final deadline to register for the 2016 European championship is January 11.

If you are thinking of competing on Jan.20-24, in Lisbon, Portugal, you need to hurry and sign up now.

When you do, you’ll be joining an impressive roster of talents already registered to compete.

The adult black belt division will feature world champions like Romulo Barral, Felipe Pena, Mackenzie Dern, Luana Alzuguir and other big names like Erberth Santos, Lucio Rodrigues, Jackson Sousa, Mansher Khera, Edwin Najmi, Isaac Doederlein, among many others.

Click here and register now for the 2016 European.

Galvão vs. Erberth at the 2015 European

The 2016 European championship is less than a month away.

The registration deadline ends even earlier, on January 11, so you have to hurry and sign up before full capacity is reached.

Don’t miss out and secure your spot in the first major event of 2016, next January 20-24, in Lisbon, Portugal.

Click here for more info and to register now.

Get in the zone to compete watching one of the most thrilling matches of last year’s edition, between Andre Galvão and Erberth Santos in the black belt open class quarterfinals.