Once again, the black belt finals were the highlight point of the World Jiu-Jitsu championship.

The best competitors in the world left all they got on the mats and our photographers were there to register.

Here are 200+ images that prove how awesome the Sunday in Long Beach was.

Click to browse.

Coverage brought to you by Gameness.

The black belt finals at the 2016 WPJJC this Saturday had all the ingredients to become instant classics.

They had non-stop action, the highest level of technique, lots of drama and thrills to spare.

Our news team was right there to capture all that in 69 images that will leave you wanting more.

Browse away and relive the excitement!

Here are 92 images that will help you relive the thrills of the black belt (brown/black for women) open class at the 2016 WPJJC.

You will catch the best moments tnat led our four finalists (Felipe Pena, Jose Junior, Tayane Porfirio and Bia Mesquita) to earn their spots in the gold medal deciders.

You will also see amazing images of top notch black belts like Leandro Lo, Claudio Calasans Jr, Andre Galvão, Erberth Santos, Roberto Cyborg, Luiza Monteiro, Fernanda Mazzelli, Jessica Trindade, etc.

Just browse and get ready for more action until all champions are crowned this Saturday, April 23.

Follow the complete coverage on GRACIEMAG’s social media channels.

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Our cameras were there to register the thrilling action, so here are 104 instants of great Jiu-Jitsu being displayed.

Coverage brought to you by Gameness.

There were a lot of thrills before the finals this past Sunday at the 2015 Worlds No-Gi.

We have selected 52 of the best images of the black belt semifinals.

Feast your eyes with some awesome pictures.

You have until Oct. 29, to register and be a part of the most important no-gi event of the calendar.

In order to get you started, we have come up with 10 fun facts about the event that started in 2007 and is already a part of the Jiu-jitsu landscape every year.

Don’t forget to click here to register and enjoy the article.

1 – No athlete won the adult male black belt open class division more than once

Yuri Simões at the 2014 Worlds No-Gi

Unlike the World Championship, where Amaury Bitteti (2), Rodrigo Comprido (2), Ronaldo Jacaré (2), Xande Ribeiro (2), Roger Gracie (3) and Marcus Buchecha (3) extended their dominance over more than one edition, the Worlds No-Gi has had eight absolute champions in eight years: 2007 – Jeff Monson; 2008 – Antônio Braga Neto; 2009 – Roberto “Tussa” Alencar; 2010 – Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu; 2011 – Marcus Almeida; 2012 – Alexandre Ribeiro; 2013 – Murilo Santana; 2014 – Yuri Simões (image).

2 – Only two athletes made to the top of the black belt open class division both in the Worlds Gi and No-Gi

Marcus Buchecha and Xande Ribeiro (image) are the only two male black belts that have that glory. Xande won the Worlds Gi in 2006 and 2008 and the Worlds No-Gi in 2012. Buchecha first won the Worlds No-Gi in 2011 and then came like a freight train in the Worlds Gi with three wins in a row in 2012/2013/2014.

3 – Caio Terra is the only male athlete to have been in the black belt podium of all Worlds No-Gi editions

Caio Terra at the 2014 Worlds No-Gi

Terra has seven gold medals and one silver medal since 2007. He lost to Samuel Braga in the first edition and after that never vacated the top of the podium. Caio won four times as a light-featherweight and three times in the roosterweight division.

4 – In the female adult black belt division, the open class crown also rotates a lot

Gabi Garcia at the 2014 Worlds No-Gi

The female black belt division has an open class category since 2008 and six athletes reached the ultimate glory. Ana Laura Cordeiro won the first one and was followed by Hillary Williams (2009), Michelle Nicolini (2010/2011), Tammy Griego (2012), Talita Nogueira (2013), Gabi Garcia (2014).

5 – Michelle Nicolini is Ms. Worlds No-Gi

Nicolini has five gold medals since 2008, including two wins in the open class division. She completes her collection with one silver medal and one bronze medal. Her biggest rival is Beatriz Mesquita and they have fought three times so far with two wins for Michelle and one for Bia.

6 – In the teams competition, different schools alternate on the top of the podium

Unlike the Worlds Gi, where Alliance has been in the first place of the teams competition since 2008, things are much more balanced in the Worlds No-Gi. In the Adult division, Gracie Barra won in 2007, Checkmat won in 2008, 2009, 2011, The Avengers won in 2010, Alliance won in 2012 and 2013 and Atos JJ won in 2014. Who’s gonna win in 2015?

7 – Former or current MMA athletes love to compete at the Worlds No-Gi

Ben Henderson at the 2014 Worlds No-Gi

Since the first edition, the Worlds No-Gi has been the favorite event for MMA athletes to test their ground skills without the distraction of the gi. Cain Velasquez won double gold in the blue belt division in 2007, the same year Jeff Monson won silver in the ultraheavy and gold in the open class of the black belt division.  In 2008, Baret Yoshida, Hermes França and Kevin Casey had great results. In 2009, Josh Barnett made to the top of the podium of the black belt ultra-heavy division. In 2013, Ricardo Almeida won the senior 1 medium heavy division and Tom DeBlass finished third in the adult superheavy division. UFC former lightweight champion Ben Henderson competed and got the bronze medal at the black belt middleweight division in 2014.

8 – No Gracie ever won a gold medal in the adult black belt division

Since 2007, the most notorious family in Jiu-Jitsu is still missing a world title without the gi among adult black belts. Gregor Gracie (2008), Igor Gracie (2008), Clark Gracie (2012) were the only three that made to the podium. In the female division, the name Gracie never reached a spot on the podium.

9 – In the female teams competition, Gracie Humaitá still has a large lead over the other teams

Gracie Barra won in 2007; Gracie Humaitá won in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012; Checkmat won in 2013. Alliance won in 2014. In 2008, the full results do not show standings for the female division.

10 –  Non-Brazilians have a much better record in the adult black belt division without the gi than with the gi on

AJ Agazarm at the 2014 Worlds No-Gi

It’s well known that only three people born outside Brazil have won a gold medal in the male adult black belt division of the Worlds: BJ Penn, Robert Drysdale and Rafael Lovato Jr. Without the gi, non-Brazilians have a much better performance. Among men, they have won 17 gold medals against 63 won by Brazilian competitors. Among women, the count is even closer, with non-Brazilian ladies wining 12 gold medals against 29 won by the ladies from Brazil. Only in 2008, Brazilians won all gold medals in the adult black belt division.

Take a look at them and relive the trills of day 2 at the 2015 ADCC.

Male and female division finals

Open class

Galvão vs. Cyborg 

Click here for the complete coverage of the 2015 ADCC.

Coverage brought to you by fujisports.com.

Child showing his medal. Photo: Patrick Flores

The 1st Copa Carlos Gracie Sr., in honor of the patriarch of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil, happened last weekend on October 11, in Irvine, California.

The Gracie Barra organization, which created this event was found by Carlos Gracie Jr. (The Grandmaster’s son).

The internal competition aimed to unite all GB schools from Southern California in one place, thus their students, professors and families could bound, exchange knowledge and have fun.

Gathering 35 GB schools, the tournament had approximately 530 athletes competing in only one day of event.

See below a photo gallery of all the action in the competition with images by Patrick Flores:

The brackets of the 2014 World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi championship are out and now you can have an idea of which thrilling matches are coming your way.

Just for fun, here are some possible outcomes for each division of the adult black belt division.

As usual, all we intend here is to stir the debate. Here we go.

Male

Rooster

Caio Terra is going for his seventh gold medal in eight editions and it does not seem likely that he will be stopped.

Final: Caio Terra vs. David Zennario

Champion: Caio Terra

Light-feather

Last year’s champion Laercio Fernandes is not on the bracket, but João Miyao, Fabio Passos and João Pedro Somália are in. The semifinals will most likely be Miyao vs. Passos and Somália vs. Mark Ramos or Thomas Lisboa.

Final: João Miyao vs. João Pedro Somália

Champion: João Miyao

Feather

Four names stand out from the crowd here. Osvaldo Moizinho, Gianni Grippo, Samir Chantre and Carlos Vieira Holanda are the most likely semifinalists. What will happen from that point on, it’s tough to say.

Final: Gianni Grippo vs. Samir Chantre

Champion:  Samir Chantre

Lightweight

AJ Agazarm and Garry Tonon on one side, Vitor Paschoal and Rodrigo Freitas on the other side are the most well known names. Freitas came out on top at the Pan No-Gi, last weekend in NYC, and could might as well do it again in Azusa.

Final: Garry Tonon vs.  Rodrigo Freitas

Champion: Rodrigo Freitas

Middleweight

This should be one of the most exciting division of all. Former UFC lightweight champion Ben Henderson is on the same side of the bracket as last year’s gold medalist JT Torres. But there’s also Marcelo Mafra and Leo Iturralde. On the other side of the bracket, there are names like Francisco Iturralde and 2012’s champion DJ Jackson.

Final: JT Torres vs. DJ Jackson

Champion: JT Torres

Medium-heavy

Keenan Cornelius leads the pack here, with a few great names to follow. Last year’s open class champion Murilo Santana is on Keenan’s side of the bracket, as are Inacio Neto, Tanner Rice and Ricardo Rezende. On the other side, Eduardo Telles wants to repeat last year’s performance, when he got all the way to the gold medal.

Final: Keenan Cornelius vs. Eduardo Telles

Champion: Keenan Cornelius

Heavyweight

Another division too tough to call (but we’re gonna call it anyway). Lucas leite, Roberto Alencar and Tim Spriggs are on one side of the bracket while Lucas Rocha and Jackson Sousa are on the other side. However it goes, it’s gonna be awesome.

Final: Tim Spriggs vs. Jackson Sousa

Champion: Jackson Sousa

Superheavy

This one should be amazing. Semifinalists will most likely be João Assis and Bernardo Faria on one side and James Puopollo and Luiz Panza on the other. Any of the four beasts have the tools to be the champion.

Final: João Assis vs. Luiz Panza

Champion: João Assis

Ultraheavy

Among the big guys, Tom DeBlass, Rodrigo Comprido, Yuri Simões and Abraham Marte are the standouts.

Final Rodrigo Comprido vs. Yuri Simões

Champion: Yuri Simões

Open class

If all favorites decide to join it’s gonna be epic.

“Out of nowhere” final pick: João Assis vs. Keenan Cornelius

“Out of nowhere” champion pick: João Assis

Female

Feather

With only two athletes registered, it’s easy to pick the final match.

Final: Mackenzie Dern vs. Karen Souza

Champion: Mackenzie Dern

Lightweight

Sofia Drysdale is alone in the division.

Middleweight

Luiza Monteiro wants to repeat last week’s performance at the Pan No-Gi.

Final: Luiza Monteiro vs. Nyjah Easton

Champion: Luiza Monteiro

Heavyweight

Sijara Eubanks debuts in the black belt division against a tough Andressa Correa.

Final Sijara Eubanks vs. Andressa Correa

Champion: Andressa Correa

Superheavy

Gabi Garcia is alone in the division.

Open class

Gabi Garcia won’t miss her opportunity to fight in the open, once she has no opponent in her own division.

Final: Gabi Garcia vs. Luiza Monteiro

Champion: Gabi Garcia

The registration deadline for the 2014 World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi championship is closing in.

You have until Friday, Sept. 26 to secure your spot in the most important no-gi event of the calendar.

Click here to register now!

If you do it, know you’ll be in great company.

Here is a first look into who are the famous names already registered in the black belt division.

Lightfeather

João Miyao – His brother is still not on the list, but should be anytime soon. The duo always means trouble for opponents with their trademark berimbolo game, also efficient in no-gi matches.

Feather

Samir Chantre – The black belt from Caio Terra Association is always a tough contender in any division he enters.

Light

JT Torres –  The 2013 champion is back to defend his title and who can say he is not capable of wining back-to-back gold medals.

Garry Tonon – From a noble lineage that comes from Renzo Gracie, Ricardo Almeida and Tom DeBlass, Tonon is one of those talents rarely seen in gi competitions that will feel right at home in Azusa.

Rodrigo Freitas: The GB black belt is a very active competitor with a efficient game capable of creating much trouble for his opponents.

Middle

Ben Henderson – The former UFC lightweight champion is registered to compete and you can be sure that he will put on quite a show during his matches.

DJ Jackson: The 2012 champion wants his crown back after finishing in third place last year. With a strong wrestling background and great guard passes, DJ is always a feared opponent.

Francisco Iturralde: The Ecuadorian from Alliance already had some great results in no-gi events, like a submission win over Vitor Oliveira in Chicago, last year. He is worthy paying attention to in Azusa.

Medium-heavy

Murilo Santana: The 2013 open class champion is back to try a double gold this year. His performance last year is proof enough of how dangerous Murilo can be.

Inacio Neto: Another upcoming talent from GB, Neto is after a great result in a major event after he became a black belt. For sure, he won’t have to wait long.

Heavy

Yuri Simões: Training under Mr. Worlds No-Gi, Caio Terra, Yuri is another new talent trying to make his name as a black belt.

Jackson Sousa: Another very active competitor, Sousa just had an amazing performance at the Dallas Open. He wants to repeat the result in Azusa.

Tim Spriggs: Recently graduated to the black belt, Tim Spriggs is known for his powerful performances. It’s going to be a hoot to see him going against more experienced opponents.

Superheavy

Bernardo Faria: One of the most accomplished competitors in the game, Faria is still after a gold medal in the Worlds No-Gi. Expert in the half guard game, Bernardo is also known for never giving up and putting out explosive performances.

Luiz Panza: Another relatively unknown talent from Brazil that appeared recently and made quite a noise, Panza is very technical and sure to create trouble to his opponents.

James Puopolo: Last year’s champion, Puopolo is said to be more at home in no-gi competitions. Black belt under Rafael Lovato Jr, he will have a tough job to keep his title, but he’s up to the task for sure.

Ultra-heavy

Tom DeBlass: Black belt under Ricardo Almeida and also an active MMA fighter, DeBlass has a fight scheduled for December 6, against King Mo, at Bellator 131. Even so, he is sure to go head on for the gold medal in Azusa.

Abraham Messina: From the Dominican Republic, Messina made his fame for the technical game and for being a handful to opponents like Andre Galvão, Bernanrdo Faria and others.

Female

Feather

Mackenzie Dern: Technique and charm come together in one of the most talented fighters of the female division.

 Middle

Luiza Monteiro: If you follow Luiza’s social medias, you know that she is working hard to prepare for the 2014 Worlds No-Gi, training in different academies, like Marcelo Garcia in NYC. Only great things can come from that.

Nyjah Easton: Another talent emerged from lloyd Irvin’s Maryland training center, Nyjah is a long time competitor known for the hard battles fought both in gi and No-Gi competitions.

Heavy

Andressa Correa: Alliance’s Correa was a runner up last year to Talita Nogueira so this year she wants nothing else than gold.

Sijara Eubanks: A dinamo in the colored belts, Sijara debuts in the black belt aiming to repeat her amazing results from the near past.

Super-heavy

Gabi Garcia: The most famous female competitor of all times is back for her second IBJJF event of the year (she competed in the São Paulo Open recently). Gabi, who is said to be getting ready to debut in MMA, wants some mat time before she goes out punching and kicking.

Don’t miss out and do it now at ibjjf.com.

Second of all, here are 40 of the best images captured by our photographers in the last two edition (2012, 2013).

Roll the page down and relive the thrills of the most important no-gi event in the calendar.

Our treat.

1 – In 2012, on his way to the gold medal, Augusto Tanquinho passed Leandro Lo’s guard to win the lightweight semifinal. lo’s reaction measures how hard a match it was.

2 – Also in 2012, Beatriz Mesquita and Thaysa Silva waged an all out war for the lightweight gold medal, eventually won by Bia

3 – Another fortunate moment for our photographers was the capturing of Romulo Barral’s look after losing to Pablo Popovitch in 2012 beacause of a last-moment guard pass

4 – DJ Jackson used a lot of his wrestling background to win his first world title in 2012, when he defeated Clark Gracie in the middleweight final

5 – In the most controversial match of the 2012 Worlds, JT Torres and Augusto Tanquinho gave all they had for the lightweight title

6 – This unusual choke by Tanquinho earned him an advantage that tied the score in the end

7 – Both fighters thought they had the win at the end, but Tanquinho ended up with the gold medal

8 – The 2012 featherweight final put Cobrinha against Justin Rader and the Alliance veteran imposed his game for the win

9 – The adult open class final put Xande Ribeiro against Leandro Lo and Xande used all his technique and experience to beat the young gun

10 – In the heavyweight semifinal, Bernardo Faria defended Xande’s armlock efficiently, but could not avoid the defeat

11 – In 2013, the Worlds No-Gi got bigger in size and number of athletes

12 – Victory and defeat are side by side on the mats of the Worlds No-Gi

 13 – Stephen Hall was one of the stars of the masters division in 2013

14 – AJ Agazarm withheld nothing on his quest for the first gold medal in a World championship as a black belt

14 – The effort of the young Gracie Barra black belt was perfectly registered by our lenses

15 – After the tough defeat in 2012, JT Torres changed schools and went right back after his much dreamed first world title as a black belt

16 – Gilbert Burns, now a UFC fighter, took a break in his MMA career to compete in the 2013 Worlds and showed everybody his ground game was up to date

17 – Neiman Gracie and Ricardo Mesquita put on quite a show for the audience in the adult open class in 2013

18 – Neiman Gracie had his best moment with this ankle lock, but eventually lost 2-0

19 – Caio Terra is Mr. Worlds No-Gi, with six gold medals in seven editions since 2007

20 – Rafael Barata Freitas almost had it at the beginning of the light-featherweight final in 2013 against Laercio Fernandes

21 – Laercio Fernandes survived the guillotine and went on to win his first world title as a black belt

22 – Rafael Lovato Jr. bet on registering in the ultra-heavy division in 2013 and won big with a gold medal

23 – Just like his Professor (Lovato), James Puopolo also made to the top of the super-heavy division in 2013

24 – Murilo Santana also made history in 2013 with a spotless performance in the open class that earned him the gold medal

25 – In a true generation clash, Eduardo Telles and Felipe Pena were the protagonists of the most exciting match of the 2013 Worlds No-Gi

26 – Tough as nails, Leandro lo decided to give another go in the open class in 2013 and made it to the final with friend Murilo Santana

27 – Murilo Santana’s performance was a eye opener to the veteran’s true possibilities.

28 – Lo had his sweeps as sharp as usual as he showed against Jackson Sousa

 29 – Telles shocked the Pyramid in 2013 with a last-second back taking that earned him the medium-heavy gold medal

30 – Photographer Ivan Trindade captured the exact moment Telles realised he was now a black belt world champion in the adult division

31 – JT Torres knew he could not let another opportunity escape so he grabbed his first gold medal in a world championship as a black belt with both hands

32 – Justin Rader was another silver medalist from 2012 that went back in 2013 to claim his gold medal and Osvaldo Moizinho paid the price in the featherweight final

33 – James Puopolo did his best to beat Leandro Lo in the open class semifinal in 2013, but the Brazilian kept coming up again

34 – Who said you need to be a wrestler in origin to have some great wrestling moves? Gilbert Durinho is the living proof of that

35 – Sometimes you don’t need to see the fighters face to feel his emotion after a tought match, like Lo’s open class semifinal win over Puopolo

36 – In the master division in 2013, Gustavo Pires had a awe-moment with this flying triangle for the gold medal

37 – UFC veteran Ricardo Almeida made a quick return to grappling competitions in 2013 and displayed the well known excellence to win the Senior 1 medium-heavy division

38 – The picture is not always what it seems. Rafael Barata is not slapping his opponent in the face, but just going for a back of the head grip

39 – Caio Terra will probably go for another gold medal in 2014, which would be his seventh

40 – Talita Nogueira and Andressa Correa in one of those moments when no-gi Jiu-Jitsu resembles wrestling competitions