The year of 2006 in the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship was all about Xande Ribeiro. Beating the odds, he defeated favorite Roger Gracie to be crowned male adult black belt open class champion. At Tijuca, in the last year the Worlds were held in its birthplace, Xande took the gold using takedowns as his big weapon, at least in the final against Roger. To get there, Roger’s 5th and Xande’s 1st, the two had no easy path.

Roger first choked Zumbi Lara from the back, then caught Rodrigo Cavaca on a triangle. The semifinal was against Marcelo Garcia and here is how GRACIEMAG #114 reported it.

Standing, Roger saw the Alliance middleweight tangle his short legs and try to pull him into guard. Roger maneuvered and kneeled in the half-guard; passed it at 3:27; Marcelinho was trying to slide away from danger, but as he escaped the mount he left his back exposed to the rival. Roger sat on a Garcia who had his belly down, used the hooks in the so-called “spread-chicken” position and trapped the neck at 5:22. “This year he gave me even less room,” Marcelo smiled.

Xande also had three fights until the gold medal match. First he faced a newly promoted to black belt Tarsis Humphreys and scored a solid 13-0. The next opponent was Romulo Barral, who started ahead with a sweep. Xande swept back, passed and got the mount, from where he choked Rominho. The spot on the final would come with another choke from the mount over Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu, who had defeated Braulio Estima and Demian Maia.

The final was the last match of the championship, as it usually is, on late Sunday afternoon. Here is how it went, according to the report of GRACIEMAG’S Marcelo Dunlop, on issue #114:

Indeed, Roger Gracie vs Xande Ribeiro begins in outright standup action, with a duel of such strong grips that Xande is at one point left without his upper gi. Roger drives him off, resists Xande’s charges and, with de-ashi-barai, takes down the younger Ribeiro brother at 7:30.“It was then that Alexandre started to recover,” Saulo narrates. “Roger tried for a guillotine attack, pulled into guard and suffered the two points. Draw. Alexandre went to the half-guard, got an advantage and Roger restored the guard.”

Xande Ribeiro vs Roger Gracie – Mundial 2006 by z3nm0nkey

Precisely when Saulo shouted from the fence, “Keep it, he’ll get desperate,” at 5min, Roger again took the lead in their Jiu-Jitsu spectacle: with an omoplata, he made the Gracie Humaitá black-belt turn, thus characterizing the sweep: 4-2 for Roger. With 3:30 to go, the 2003/04/05 vice-champion went after the submission that was missing in a perfect campaign. On the ground, he embraces the foe’s back, rests his head and breathes, as if noticing the time to let the chronograph do its job.

Wrong. Their rhythm remains, and Roger keeps the fight open. So open that, at 40s to go, they both get up. Could lighting strike twice? The answer comes thundering down and causes a roar in the gym: from the fence, Saulo performs an ippon-seio-nage in the air and shouts: “The takedown!” Through telepathy or whatever it is that unites two brothers, Xande repeats the gesture and grabs Roger’s collar; the latter’s defensive instinct is overwhelmed by his not-so-cautious submitting instinct: rival’s back unprotected, Gracie sees the chance to connect with the hooks and attack the neck. The scale tips over toward Xande.

Roger goes to the ground. Referee Muzio De Angelis raises two fingers. The clock says 15s. The chronograph goes over its routine: end of fight and tournament, 4-4 on the score, with one advantage to Roger and two to the new king, Alexandre. “It was a wazari attained at a perfect shot,” Xande summed up, after a long hug to his brother Saulo.

Ever since the first edition in 1996, our stars have filled the web pages of GRACIEMAG.com with timeless utterances. Words of disgust, bursts of joy, good cheer, relief and humility spill from their lips.

GRACIEMAG.com dove into the past 19 years of the Worlds to rescue the best phrases uttered by the dynamos of the mats. And, of course, if you remember something once said that didn’t make it on here, don’t hesitate to post in the comments section.

GRACIEMAG’s coverage of the 2015 Worlds is brought to you by Hayabusa.

Check out great offers at hayabusafight.com.

A lot of folks called me crazy for creating the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship, in 1996. They’d say the sport was still just crawling and need to grow a lot before there could be such a competition, but I knew the Worlds was going to lead Jiu-Jitsu to growth – Carlos Gracie Jr, CBJJ / IBJJF president. Photo by Luca Atalla

Finally! – Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro, in 2000, upon beating Leo Vieira after three losses in three matches

I’m wearing my underwear and it’s not my fault he’s not wearing his – Daniel Simões, in 2000, commenting on his controversial loss to Saulo Ribeiro in the super heavyweight division.

I got to beat on my chest. I’m the only five-time world champion. At least until next year – Robson Moura, in 2000, upon winning his fifth gold medal in five world championships.

I’m stoked! Tonight there’s going to be a party in the favela! – Fernando Tererê, in 2000, after winning the middleweight division with his victory over Nino Schembri.

To keep them from saying I’m running away, I decided to go out on a limb, but I fought with a twisted ankle – Márcio Pé de Pano, in 2001, after dropping out of the absolute in the semifinal.

I’m a heck of a salesman! – Vitor Shaolin, in 2001, after winning his second world title and selling his gi to a Japanese spectator for 200 dollars.

There’s still one more coming! – Saulo Ribeiro, in 2001, after losing the medium heavyweight final to Margarida, warning that the two would meet again in the open weight final (a match he would also lose to Margarida).

I scored my two points and hung on, which doesn’t go over too well in a final – Fredson Paixão, in 2001, confessing that he stalled in the featherweight final.

I watched his matches so many times that the tape broke – Fredson Paixão, in 2002, with reverence for Ricardo De La Riva, who he beat in the featherweight final.

Jacaré squashes his opponents, submits them and walks off wearing the same expression he bore when he went in, without even sweat on his face. Look at that – Ryan Gracie, in 2002, impressed by then-brown belt Ronaldo Souza.

He carries a lot of weight and big old legs! – Saulo Ribeiro, in 2002, explaining what Pé de Pano’s weapons were, after the absolute final.

I was 30% in shape, but that’s enough for today’s Jiu-Jitsu – Márcio Pé de Pano, in 2003, after winning his second absolute title in a row. Photo by Gustavo Aragão

Look at that, now he’s in the mix, too! – Márcio Pé de Pano, in 2003, after seeing Jacaré get his black belt, on the podium.

I still want Pé de Pano. He’s the best and I want to be the best by beating him – Fabrício Werdum, in 2003, after winning the ultraheavyweight division.

I hit a big old plate of rice, beans and chicken at Tererê’s house. It was so good and was stuffed when I fought – Ronaldo Jacaré, in 2003, explaining why he started off slow in his showing at brown belt.

At least I lost to the champ. Or do you think someone’s going to beat that monster? – Roberto Traven, in 2003, predicting Jefferson Moura’s opponents in the heavyweight division wouldn’t stand a chance.

The poor are used to sleeping under a fan. I got hit with a nasty air conditioner on the bus from São Paulo to Rio and caught an awful cold – Fernando Tererê, in 2003, on the rough ride he had before winning his second middleweight title.

Once it was over, I felt like crying and hugging everyone in the stands, I was so happy – Felipe Costa, in 2003, after winning the roosterweight title.

I never had a knack for it, but I train a lot – Felipe Costa, em 2003.

The score stands at 1 to 1, but I took an arm in advantage – Roger Gracie, in 2004, after losing to Jacaré in the most controversial absolute final of Worlds history.

I’m not stopping! I’m not stopping! – Jacaré, in 2004, after escaping Roger’s armbar. Photo by Gustavo Aragão

I regret nothing! – Ronaldo Jacaré, in 2004, on not having tapped to Roger’s armbar.

He didn’t give me any room, all I could move were my eyes! – Fernando Tererê, in 2004, on his loss to Roger in the absolute.

He has no arms or neck; makes it hard to attack him – Marcelo Uirapuru, in 2004, in praise of Marcelinho after losing in the absolute.

I wanted to show how the ant can beat the cockroach – Fernando Tererê, in 2004, after entering the ultraheavyweight division weighing just 80 kg.

Just because I’ve fought in all the Worlds’ folks call me old. But I’m 30 – Cássio Werneck, in 2004.

If they don’t watch out, I’ll submit a lot of purple belt men. I’m strong as hell – Mirella Cortes, in 2004.

I didn’t get on the stand because I didn’t lose. To pick up the silver medal would be to recognize defeat – Roger Gracie, in 2005, after more controversy with Jacaré.

If I’d lost, no one on my team would have questioned the result – Jacaré, in 2005, complaining about Roger’s team whining.

Jacaré only fired off one shot, but it was a bull’s eye! – Saulo Ribeiro, in 2005, on Jacaré’s strategy against Roger.

I wanted to submit Roger and he wanted to submit me. That’s why the match was so good – Xande Ribeiro, in 2006, on the absolute final.

I don’t even know what I did. I just used my grandfather’s and father’s Jiu-Jitsu, which I’ve been practicing since I was a kid – Kron Gracie, in 2006, at 18 years of age, already drawing attention as a purple belt.

You see my fight? I got taken on a carousel ride! – Marcinho Feitosa, in 2006, cheerful even after losing to Cobrinha. Photo by Pedro Stabile

It was worthy of Rocky Balboa. He got beat up the whole time, and then in the end: pow! – Saulo Ribeiro, in 2006, commenting on Xande’s strategy in the absolute final.

Seems like there’s a car on top of you – Robert Drysdale, in 2006, regarding the pressure of Roger Gracie

That’s seven! – Robson Moura, in 2007, on winning his seventh title.

Get your hands off me! – Luiz Theodoro “Big Mac”, in 2007, still disgusted with the close decision favoring Rafael Lovato Jr in the ultraheavyweight division.

Triangle defense and standing! – Saulo Ribeiro, in 2007, teaching how he avoided tapping out to Rômulo Barral in the medium heavyweight division.

This medal takes four years of weight off my back – Roger Gracie, in 2007, relieved for winning the absolute gold medal.

I’m going to stop being the nice guy! – Xande Ribeiro, in 2008, complaining about a controversial move by Gabriel Vella, who denied tapping to an armbar.

You need a ladder to fight him – André Galvão, in 2008, after facing Roger in the absolute.

Pull guard, Roger! – Renzo Gracie, in 2008, foreseeing that playing the standup game would not end well for his nephew in the absolute against Xande.

This win goes to respect in Jiu-Jitsu. The Gracie Barra crowd offended me! – Xande Ribeiro, in 2008, shortly after becoming two-time absolute champion.

There isn’t a name for that takedown yet, so we’ll call it xandeguruma! – Xande Ribeiro, in 2008, dubbing the takedown that yielded him the two-time absolute title.

Japanese fighters are always tough. They don’t tap! – Samuel Braga, light featherweight champion, in 2008.

I came here to be champion! – Mário Reis, in 2008, complaining of the refereeing.

I tapped! – Kron Gracie, in 2008, still in disbelief over the outcome of his black belt debut against Sérgio Moraes.

By training a lot, I’m getting to Tererê’s level, but he was a natural – André Galvão in 2008, in tribute to his eternal master after winning the medium heavyweight division.

I moved up in weight to escape Roger and when I look at the bracket, who do I see? Roger – Eduardo Telles, in 2008, laughing as he saw the pairings in the ultra heavyweight division.

I never imagined he was that much better than the rest – Guy Richie, in 2009, on his teacher Roger Gracie.

That’s the so-called invisible Jiu-Jitsu – Saulo Ribeiro, in 2009, referring to Roger’s performance.

Oooh, there goes the blanket! – Gracie Barra cheering section, in 2009, during Roger Gracie’s matches. Photo by Ivan Trindade

It even spoils the fun when I don’t get taken down – Roger Gracie, in 2009, joking about his “weak point”.

Next year I’ll be back for us to put on that show again – Xande Ribeiro, in 2009, saluting Roger for his second absolute title.

I felt like crying from training so much – Bruno Malfacine, in 2009, on his prep work at Alliance

We’re bothering some people! – Guilherme Mendes, in 2009, to the Alliance cheering section.

The snake had two heads! – Rubens Charles Cobrinha, in 2009, responding to provocations from the Mendes brothers in Abu Dhabi one month earlier.

I only beat Kyra because I’m big – Lana Stefanac, in 2009, after being crowned champion of the absolute black belt division.

“We both pulled guard, and I landed with the hold on his foot already in place. Bad luck for him and good luck for me,” – Rodrigo Cavaca, in 2010, explaining his victory over Roberto Cyborg in the open class.

“Look, there’s no such thing as the master division to me. I’m going to compete as an adult until I realize I can no longer handle the new kids’ pace. Right now–at 28 years of age, Ican’t see myself stopping until I’m 34, 35 years old.” – Roger Gracie, in 2010, making a promise life didn’t allow him to fulfill.

“Ever since ADCC 2003 people come up to me and say, ‘Did you see your bracket? It’s the toughest one there is!’ And I always reply with ‘I didn’t even look.’ It’s always the tough- est bracket, but thank God I al- ways win it,” – Marcelo Garcia, in 2010, explaining his attitude towards his opponents.

“I was the underdog, but everyone has two arms and two legs and can thus be beat. If now I’m a favorite, I’m going to train even more for it!” – Bernardo Faria, in 2010, about his win over Xande Ribeiro.

“Shoot, this is the happiest day of my life!” – Gabi Garcia, in 2010, after two golds and a poium-tied black belt.

“We’re always gunning for who’s on top, and today the one on top is Rodolfo. He came on way strong.” – Sergio Moraes, in 2011, recognizing the superior performance of the open class champion.

“Shut up!” – Rodolfo Vieira, in 2011, telling his crowd to stop celebrating his win before the fight was over.

“I’m not invincible; far from it. But I train to be the best!” – Gabi Garcia, in 2011.

“This is my life! We put in 100% and want 200%.” – Sergio Moraes, in 2011. Photo by Ivan Trindade

“He believes in me more than I do myself.” – Marcus Buchecha, in 2012, on the importance of his coach Rodrigo Cavaca.

“I was sort of ron- aldo Jacaré in there! My arm popped all the way through, but they were only going to beat me if they choked my lights out or ripped off an arm or a leg!” – Marcus Buchecha, in 2012, on the armbar Rodolfo Vieira had in place at the very end of their quarterfinal match.

“They’re going to pay more attention to me and my matches now.” – Otavio Sousa, in 2012, after his first gold medal as a black belt.

“For what I’ve trained, in all modesty, I was expecting this result” – Leo Nogueira, in 2012, after gold in the super-heavy and silver in the absolute.

“Nowadays, he’s the only one who is able to annul my game completely.” – Rodolfo Vieira, in 2013, after the 0-9 defeat to Buchecha in the open class final. Photo By Ivan Trindade

“I submitted nobody, I have to improve,” – Leandro Lo, in 2013, analysing his own performance after his second world title.

“The category had the two- time champion Mário Reis, three-time champion Rafael Mendes and four-time champion Cobrinha. Only I had no title.”- Augusto Tanquinho, in 2013, joking about his motivation to win gold at featherweight.

“I think I lost the first ten championships I played. I’d always come back with bigger motivation to train more.”- Felipe Preguiça, in 2014, after winning his first world title as a black belt.

“Cavaca used to say there’s the talented one, the hard-working one and there’s me, the talented hard-working guy!” – Marcus Buchecha, after wining his third open class title in 2014.

“Buchecha is stalling!”- Atos Jiu-Jitsu coach during the open class semifinal between Buchecha and Keenan Cornelius, in 2014.

“I’m a staller?! Are you sure of that?!!!”- Marcus Buchecha to the same guy after passing Keenan’s guard in the last minute of the fight.

Beatriz Mesquita earns open weight gold. Photo: Dan Rod

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed both Marcus “Buchecha”Almeida and Beatriz Mesquita that no prohibited substances were found in their samples after the 2014 Worlds.

For the second year in a row, the IBJJF requested USADA to perform anti-doping tests on the elite division of athletes of the Worlds.

So far, both the male and female black belt open class champions have been informed that they are cleared of any prohibited substances.

Bia Mesquita even posted the letter she received from the USADA on her Facebook page.

She also wrote: “For those who doubted that a lightweight athlete could be open class champion without using anything, here’s my answer.”

Buchecha sent the GRACIEMAG.com the letter he received from the USADA.

Bia Mesquita’s letter from USADA

Buchecha’s letter from USADA

The 2014 Worlds open class podium with Keenan, the first American to place third in the division

Once again, all champions in the 2014 Worlds male black belt division came from Brazil.

Americans JT Torres (silver in lightweight), Keenan Cornelius (bronze in the open class), Rafael Lovato Jr (bronze in the heavyweight), Danish Alex Trans (silver in the ultra-heavy) and Ecuadorian Jorge Santistevan (bronze in the roosterweight) were the non-Brazilians that made to the podium.

In all history, only two times the gold medal of a male black belt division rested on the chest of guys not born in Brazil: in 2000 BJ Penn won the featherweight and in 2007 Rafael Lovato Jr won the ultra-heavy division.

Robert Drysdale, born in Provo, Utah, won in 2005, at the heavyweight division, but he is also a Brazilian citizen and earned his whole training in Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil.

More popular than ever all around the world, the spread of the gentle art is still to be translated into gold medal in the highest level, despite the number of black belts scattered throughout the globe.

GRACIEMAG went after two of the 2014 medalists to try to understand why Brazil still dominates the black belt division.

JT Torres during the battle against Langhi

JT Torres, who had a great campaign in the lightweight, beating two-time world champion Michael Langhi in the semifinal before being stopped by Lucas Lepri, says it’s not about numbers, but time.

“I don’t think it’s the quantity that matters, but the fact that Brazilians still have some what of a head start over other nationalities when it comes to the level of BJJ. Eventually over time I do believe the medal count will for sure be more balanced as other countries have more time to further develop the level in BJJ in their region.”

Alex Trans, who is the sitting European black belt open class champion, and who was stopped only by Marcus Buchecha in the ultra-heavy divison of the 2014 Worlds, also gave his opinion on the matter.

Trans in the quarterfinal against Abraham Marte

The Danish is direct in his approach: “It’s obviously happening because Brazilians are the best, and I think it’s going to take a long time before the other countries catch up. I think it’s just a question of the sport being very new, and Brazilians being way ahead, because the art was invented in Brazil, and it’s not that long ago that the art started spreading out in the World.”

Trans sees a  bright light in the future, at least in the USA: “Maybe this new generation of fighters who are in their early teens now in the US are going to start catching up slowly in like 10 years, as the level of Jiu-Jitsu there is getting higher every year, especially because a lot of the top guys from Brazil who moved there to train and teach. But in Europe it’s going to take longer, maybe if the sport becomes more professional so it makes sense for the countries to invest in the sport, like you see in wrestling and judo. But if the sport keeps growing then I’m sure it will be more balanced at some point for sure, I don’t think the Brazilians are winning because they have better genetics, but simply because they have more and better training partners and instructors.”

That’s why we come back to the questions and try to put in words what we saw at the Long Beach Pyramid.

Here we go.

At one point, Rodolfo relied on the deep half guard

1. Will Buchecha be the first athlete ever to win three black belt open class finals in a row?

Yes. Marcus Buchecha made history this Sunday, June 1^st. Since 1996, no other athlete was able to win three open class gold medals in consecutive years. Still at the beginning of his career, Buchecha seems destined to set unthinkable records. Let’s see how far he can go with his pressure, speed and unpredictable technical skills.

On the bottom, Rodolfo worked to sweep right away

2. Can a heavier Rodolfo finally put a stop to Buchecha’s reign?

No. The sixth battle between the two was yet another chapter of Buchecha’s dominance. Since 2011, when Rodolfo managed an armlock submission, the count is 1-5 against him. Vieira’s career has two sides. The first one is his bright side, where he controls and imposes his game over all his opponents. The other side is how he seems unable to do that when the opponent is Buchecha. If he can find a way to solve that puzzle, things will look better for him.

Pressure was the name of the game

3. Can anyone prevent an absolute final between Rodolfo and Buchecha?

No. Buchecha and Rodolfo are many steps ahead of the rest of the pack. In Long Beach, Vieira finished all his opponents up to the open class final, eight matches all-together. Buchecha didn’t get all the submissions he could, but also had an impressive showing, never being in any actual risk. Unless something changes or someone appear (Roger, maybe?), the landscape should remain untouched for some time.

GB’s Preguiça victory also meant Alliance’s triumph in the male adult teams competition

4. Will Atos JJ repeat its performance of the 2014 Pan and snatch the adult male teams title?

No. Well, Atos JJ had a great performance. The team went head to head with Alliance up to the final stretch and ended up with second place by only six points (or one gold medal instead of a silver medal). Never in history, the Alliance crowd rooted so much for a GB athlete than when Felipe Preguiça was fighting André Galvão in the heavyweight division final. Preguiça’s win was Alliance’s triumph, as a matter of speaking.

Beatriz Mesquita earns open weight gold. Photo: Dan Rod

5. Can any other black belt step up and be a real threat to Gabi Garcia in the open class?

No answer. The great Gabi Garcia was not there to be challenged by anyone. A rib injury made the two-time open class champion sit out in 2014. Even so, the female black belt division was one of the most thrilling of recent times. Bia finally got the double gold she wanted so much, Nicolini was fierce, Tammi was fearless, Janni amazed all with her happiness after the win and Ana Laura made us cry with her victorious comeback.

Gui and Paulo also starred the same cover of GRACIEMAG

6. Will the Miyaos have success in their first Worlds as black belts?

Yes and no. Yes, because both brothers got to their division finals. No, because they didn’t win. João and Paulo stopped only at the hands of Malfacine and Gui Mendes, respectively. Young as they are and relentless as only the two can be, are there any doubts that those gold medals will eventually rest on the brothers’ chests?

Their match up was also important for the adult male teams title between Atos and Alliance

7. Will Cobrinha win his fifth title in the featherweight or is Rafael Mendes going to tie the score in 4 – 4?

Rafael Mendes scared away last year’s ghost. The last-minute defeat to Augusto Tanquinho prevented him from reaching the magic number of four world titles in the featherweight division, something only Royler Gracie and Rubens Cobrinha had. Next year, if the IBJJF holds another Hall of Fame event, Rafa (and his brother Gui) will have earned their seats.

Marcus Buchecha faced Alex Trans once again in 2014 at the ultra-heavy final

8. Are we going to see a non-Brazilian win an adult male black belt division for the third time in history?

No. Jonathan Torres and Alex Trans were the ones that came the closest with the second places at the lightweight and ultra-heavyweight divisions, followed by Keenan Cornelius with his bronze medal in the open class. Truth of the matter, it is not that important where the champions come from. Jiu-Jitsu is an international sport already and nothing can change that. Besides that, non-Brazilians had an amazing showing in many different divisions all over the board.

9. How will fighters adapt to the updated rules?

They adapted well. Not that many had problems with the double guard pull stalling, the single leg defense or leg crossing. The most high profile case was Kennan Cornelius’, which was disqualified for knee reaping in the medium-heavy division. Besides that, the refs were on top of the updates rules most of the time.

10. Who’s gonna be next big thing in Jiu-Jitsu?

In the male division, many athletes come to mind. Brown belt open class and superheavy champion Erberth Santos is a name to be carefully looked at. Marcio Andre is now a black belt, after winning the brown belt featherweight division. Tim Spriggs follows his path of putting a show for the crowd while collecting medals. Now a brown belt after winning the purple belt open class, Edwin Najmi is building up to be one of the most exciting fighters of his generation. Among the ladies, Monique Elias swept the brown belt division and got her black belt on the podium. For sure she will create trouble in the new rank in the years to come.

Twelve months have passed, but nothing changed.

Just like in 2013, Marcus Buchecha and Rodolfo Vieira will decide who is the best Jiu-Jitsu competitor of the year.

For the second year in a row, the two rivals will be face to face to fight for the adult male black belt open class title.

The run to the final was rocky one for both finalists.

With four fights each, obstacles were great for both Rodolfo and Buchecha.

Vieira first met with AJ Agazarm and won by choke from the back.

The next opponent was Sean Roberts, also choked from the back.

The third opponent was Alex Trans, the 2014 Euro Open absolute champion.

Even so, Trans’ fate was the same as the two before him, finished with a lapel choke.

The adversary in the semifinal was an old acquaintance of Rodolfo, Bernardo Faria.

The two absolute finalists of 2011 met once more and despite a strong start by Faria, Rodolfo soon caught on to the rythm and won with a wrist locck after passing and mounting.

On the other side of the bracket, Buchecha debuted against Juarez Nunes, quickly finished with an armlock.

Then it was time to face GF Team’s Ricardo Evangelista, defeated by points with a 5-2 score.

The third challenge was Felipe “Preguiça” Pena, and victory came by the way of a foot lock.

In the semifinal, Buchecha had a tough time against Keenan Cornelius.

The match was close up until the end when, with 40s left on the clock, after the Atos crowd teasing him by saying he was stalling, Buchecha sped up and passed guard to win 7-2.

So, tomorrow, the last match of the 2014 Worlds will a hair-raising battle between the two best competitors since 2011.

Will Buchecha reach his third open class in a row or will Rodolfo tie the score with two titles a piece?

Other than the two finalists, the crowd in the pyramid witnessed great matches this Saturday, in the absolute.

Leandro Lo and Keenan Cornelius battled in the eight finals in a thrilling exchange of sweeps.

Bernardo Faria had an imptressive showing against Braulio Estima, reaching a 26-4 score.

Again, Keenan finished Leo Nogueira with a triangle to prove he is a force in the black belt division.

Here’s a photo gallery with the best images of the black belt open class.

For results of every match, go to http://instagram.com/graciemagazine

Day 2 of the 2014 World Jiu-Jitsu championship went out with a a bang.

All thanks to Gracie Barra’s featherweight Edwin Najmi, who amazed the crowd with a flying triangle to catch Alliance’s Nicholas Meregali and win the adult male purple belt open class division.

The strike was so sharp that Meregali had nothing to do but to tap with only 22 seconds on the clock.

“It was amazing. This is a move I started doing in 2013 and I do it a lot. Today I tried three other times,” said Najmi after celebrating the title with his mentor, Romulo Barral.

The final prize for such a superb move and also for the dominating performance in the absolute came during the medal ceremony at the podium.

Barral awarded Najmi with his well deserved brown belt.

Among the women, Bianca Barbosa won the 2014 Worlds female purple belt open class.

She had four matches in the absolute and won all by points.

The final was against Amanda Santana and a last-second back taking granted Bianca the gold with a 6-4 score.

She also finished the featherweight division in third place.

In the blue belt division, also two open class competitions deserved attention from the crowd.

Tara White is the 2014 Worlds female blue belt open class champion.

She had four matches and submitted three opponents in the absolute.

In the final, she defeated Erin Harpe 1 – 0 on advantages after a 2-2 tie on points.

Hungary’s Krystof Szucs (GB) is the 2014 Worlds male blue belt open class champion.

Third in the middleweight, Szucs had four matches in the absolute, all won by points.

The big final was against Alliance’s Fabio Alamo. A guard pass secured the 3 -0 score.

Besides the open class divisions for the purple and the blue belts, some of the weigh divisions of the brown belt also went into play this Friday.

Brazil’s Marcio André needed six matches to snatch the featherweight gold and become a black belt.

Day 3 kicks off this Saturday, at 9AM. The adult black belt open class (male and female) goes into action at 10AM.

In the team’s partial results, the standings is as folows.

1 – Atos Jiu-Jitsu – 63
2 – Alliance – 62
3 – Gracie Barra – 44

For more info and for all the results, ibjjf.com.

Here is a photo gallery of the day.

Jiu-Jitsu selfie

For one evening, some of the biggest stars both from the past and the present of Jiu-Jitsu switched the gis for suits or sport jackets.

The Hilton Hotel in Long Beach welcomed the first IBJJF Hall of Fame awards.

The ceremony also featured the best competitors of 2013.

The winners present that took home a commemorative plaque were:

Female: Michelle Nicolini (3rd), Beatriz Mesquita (5th), Mackenzie Dern (7th), Fernanda Mazzelli (8th), Luzia Fernandes (9th).

Male: Marcus Buchecha (1st), Rodolfo Vieira (3rd), Otavio Sousa (6th), Victor Oliveira (7th), Romulo Barral (9th).

The highlight of the night was the induction of the first members of the Jiu-Jitsu Hall of Fame.

Michelle Nicolini was the first one to be called out to the podium to receive her plaque.

Five times world champion as a black belt, Nicolini saluted the IBJJF for the initiative: “It’s great to have this kind of recognition.”

Leticia Ribeiro, seven times world champion as a black belt, reminded the room of how it all began: “In the first Worlds with the female presence, in 1998, there were only two weigh divisions and all belts competed together. Today, we can’t even name all the great athletes competing because they are so many. It’s nice to know that I was a part in all that”.

Also a seven times world champion, Hannette Staack thanked the honoring and also looked back: “When I first started training, I was the only girl there. I wanted to learn to defend myself. Now I’m a teacher, athlete and business owner. Thanks for all of those who believed in me and helped me”.

Four times world champion, Rubens Charles “Cobrinha” was the first male hall of farmer to be called. He thanked his teammates and talked about his past: “When I started, people said that I was to old to have success, so I set as a goal to prove them wrong. I think I did.”

Also a four times world champion, Romulo Barral is now a hall of famer too. He thanked his wife and his professors for helping him getting to that point in his career.

Rodolfo Vieira, three times heavyweight world champion and one time open class champion, also was inducted to the Jiu-Jitsu Hall of Fame. “There’s only one thing that makes more nervous than competing, it’s public speaking. When I started, I never once thought of being side by side with guys like Roger, Xande or Saulo.”

Fabio Gurgel, four times world champion, was the next one to be inducted. He shared the accomplishment with his team: “I got my black belt when I was 19 and the first world championship came when I was 26. Still I managed to win it four times to be in the hall of fame. This title I divide with all my Alliance teammates.”

Marcus Buchecha, two times ultra-heavyweight champion and two times open class champion, received his plaque next. He also spoke of how he felt to be there: “When I started training, I remember seeing Roger on the covers of the magazines. Tonight, when I got here, my mom asked to take a picture with Roger. I want to thank my parents and also my professors, mainly Leo Vieira and Rodrigo Cavaca.”

Five times world champion, Saulo Ribeiro gave the lengthiest speech, thanking his family and taking the audience to a trip in time: “Father, I hope I was able to be at least half of what you are. When I started, I was a judo guy and Jiu-Jitsu was hard, but I fell for it quickly. We have to remember brothers Helio and Carlos, who started it all. I was embraced by the gracie family, specially Royler. I remember seeing Carlos Gracie Jr’s living room crowded with people drawing brackets. I knew that there was a guy who loved Jiu-Jitsu and would do a lot to help it develop.”

Bruno Malfacine, five times roosterweight champion, paid tribute to his team: “Thanks to Alliance for believing in me. This accomplishment is not only mine, but of all my teammates.”

Saulo’s brother, Xande Ribeiro was next. A four times champion in his weight division and two times open class champion, Xande first remembered his mother, who recently passed away: “She always supported us.”

Xande then talked about his journey in Jiu-Jitsu: “I want to thank my family, my masters and also all my opponents. I always say that whenever I compete against someone, I take something of their strength and make it my own.”

Roger Gracie, seven times world champion in his weight division and three times open class champion was the last one to be called. The Gracie talked about whatthe award meant to him. “Everything changed for me as a teenager, when I went to spend one summer with my cousin Rilion. I was kind of out of shape and he made me train and run on the beach. When I went back to Rio, I already saw Jiu-Jitsu differently. I used to say to myself that I was gonna be the best fighter and I believed in that. The first competitions I entered, I lost. But then I started winning and I knew I could always be a little better.”

Roger ended his speech with some good news about his future: “What I love the most is train and compete with the gi and I am going back to doing that. I almost entered the 2014 Worlds. I’m not done quite yet!”

To GRACIEMAG, Roger confirmed that he should comeback to competing before the 2015 Worlds: “I don’t want to wait a whole year. I want to go back before that.”

Other than the Hall of Fame inductions, the IBJJF also awarded the best teams of 2013.

The results were:

1st – Gracie Barra

2nd – Alliance

3rd – Nova União

4th – Checkmat

5th – Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu

On top of that, Alliance won the outstanding performance award for having won the adult male division of the Worlds for the last six years.

Here’s a photo gallery of the evening.

For their fearlessness and devotion to Jiu-Jitsu, they deserve to be featured as one of the attractions for the 2014 Worlds.

We have selected the most notorious ones on each weight of the black belt division but know that they represent all of the 30+ year-old competitors that will sweat blood next weekend in Long Beach.

Rooster

Milton Bastos, 32, trains since he was 13. Originally competing under Paragon JJ, he recently moved to Caio Terra Association, in San Jose, California. At the 2014 Pan, Milton was the protagonist of maybe the most thrilling match of the event. At the roosterweight semifinal, he needed to submit Ivaniel Oliveira two times to win. He then followed to win the silver medal in that competition. An avid competitor, Milton Bastos ranks 116 in the overall IBJJF adult black belt rankings.

Light-feather

Rafael Freitas, aka Barata, is the creator of the famous Baratoplata. Training since he was 13, Barata, now 30, is a fearless competitor with important results. He was the 2011 Pan adult black belt roosterweight champion, among many other titles. In the recent 2014 Pan, Barata went all the way to the semifinal, being stopped only by  João Miyao. Freitas currently ranks 187 in the overall male adult black belt rankings.

Carlos Holanda, aka Esquisito, is from Manaus, north of Brazil. Originally a competitor under Gracie Barra, he then transferred to Checkmat. A two-time Pan champion (2008, 2010), among other titles, Esquisito (which means weird in Portuguese) is always a name to be taken in consideration. He current ranks 77 in the IBJJF overall adult male black belt rankings.

Feather

Mario Reis, 34, has been on the featherweight podium of the Worlds since 2003. A two-time worlds champion (2003/2004), Reis is still on the top five of the featherweight division, even 11 years into the game. Originally a BTT athlete, Reis then moved to Gracie Barra and now is a part of the Alliance team since 2011. He ranks 42 in the overall IBJJF male adult black belt rankings.

Denilson Pimenta turns 34 years old on June 2, one day after the 2014 Worlds ends. A great performance in Long Beach will be a great gift for the featherweight from GFT. A Rio Open champion in 2009 besides other titles, Pimenta is always an important name in the division. He ranks 6 in the IBJJF Master 1 black belt rankings.

Wellington Dias, 46, is an example to be followed. He is the only person to have competed in all 18 editions of the World Jiu-Jitsu championship as a black belt. He is at it again, training hard at his school in Arizona and should surprise some people with his helicopter sweeps and more. Megaton is currently not ranked by the IBJJF.

Light

Celso Venícius, 30, is a three-time world champion. The last title came in 2008 (before that, he won in 2005 and 2006) and recently he has been devoting to his academy in São Paulo and his successful MMA career (Celsinho is 4-0 in the cage). After a three-year hiatus since 2011, Celsinho is back to the lightweight division and for sure will make some noise. He is not ranked by the IBJJF.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM9KedWrmcw

Middle

Alan do Nascimento, 32, also known as Finfou, grew up in Jiu-Jitsu with the legend Fernando Tererê. At the Cantagalo community, in Rio de Janeiro, he started having classes at the social project Tererê put together. Now a successful BJJ professor in Stockhom, Sweden, Finfou is also an avid and tough competitor. A three-time European champion (2007 – 2009), Finfou can create lots of trouble in the division. He is ranked 37 in the overall IBJJF male adult black belt rankings.

Medium-heavy

Eduardo Telles, 38, is one of the most inventive Jiu-Jitsu competitors of all times. Developer of the octopus and the turtle guards, Telles is a Pan champion (2007) and Worlds No-Gi champion (2013). In the Worlds, his best results were three bronze medals. Telles is ranked 57 in the IBJJF male master 2 black belt rankings.

Heavyweight

Roberto Alencar, aka Tussa, 33, is one of the most active competitors in the Gracie Barra roster. Both in the master and the adult division, Tussa is always a force to be taken into consideration. He is a four-time World No-Gi champion and Pan champion in 2007. Tussa is ranked 71 in the IBJJF overall adult male black belt rankings.

Superheavy

Gustavo “Siri” Pires is another one of the stars in the Gracie Barra competition team. In Jiu-Jitsu since the age of 15, he received his black belt in 2003, from Carlos Gracie Jr. Among many titles, he is a Worlds Masters champion (2012) and a Pan champion at the master division. In the adult division, he won double gold at the 2014 Chicago Spring Open. Gustavo ranks 48 in the IBJJF overall adult male black belt rankings.

Ultra-heavy

Bruno Bastos, 34, was one of the leaders of Nova União until recently when he went independent with his Bastos BJJ Association team. An avid competitor, Bastos accumulates titles throughout his career. He is a Rio International Open champion (2008) and Pan and Worlds No-Gi champion in the masters division. He is  ranked 2 in the IBJJF masters black belt rankings.

Marcio Corletta, 38, is a black belt world champion. He won the same ultra-heavy division in 2001. Since then, Corleta make occasional appearances in the competition circuit, still showing the well known technique and pressure. His most recent achievement was the 2009 Pan ultra-heavy division. Corletta is not ranked by the IBJJF at this moment.

And it did.

Twelve months later, we have another round of questions to be addressed by the facts that will take place in Long Beach, from May 29 to June 1^st.

Buchecha attacks Rodolfo’s arm in the open class final

1. Will Buchecha be the first athlete to ever win three black belt open class finals in a row?

He is still the one to be beat. Marcus Buchecha is undoubtly the most dominant power in competition BJJ today. If he wins in 2013, he will do what no other athlete have done before, not even Roger Gracie. Fast, explosive and extremely technical, Buchecha doesn’t seem to be willing to give up the throne of ruling king of the gentle art.

Rodolfo Vieira faces Marcus Buchecha in Abu Dhabi

2. Can a heavier Rodolfo finally put a stop to Buchecha’s reign?

Last month in Abu Dhabi, Rodolfo Vieira proved that he is comfortable in the super-heavyweight division. He took no consideration of his opponents both in the weight division and the open class right until the final. And even the face off with Buchecha had a different taste this time. On top from the beginning, Rodolfo put pressure on Buchecha and almost got the pass and mount. In the end, Buchecha still managed to outsmart him to come out as the winner. Will the champion be able to do that again in Long Beach?

Rodolfo is now in the superheavy and Buchecha sticks to ultra-heavy

3. Can anyone prevent an absolute final between Rodolfo and Buchecha?

Even more than last year, it seems highly unlikely. The two rivals seem even more distant from the pack both technically and physically than they were in 2013. Bernardo Faria, Leo Nogueira, André Galvão, maybe Keenan Cornelius are the best guesses to intrude in the final.

Atos JJ in San Diego

4. Will Atos JJ repeat its performance of the 2014 Pan and snatch the adult male teams title?

Last year they were expected to be the greatest obstacle in Alliance’s quest for the eighth trophy, but that didn’t happen. Turns out Atos finished the 2013 Worlds without even one champion in the black belt division. Not even Keenan Cornelius won the double gold he was expected to in the brown belt. This year they showed at the Pan that they have regrouped and are coming strong again. Can this be the year?

Gabi at the 2013 Worlds absolute black belt final

5. Can any other black belt step up and be a real threat to Gabi Garcia in the open class?

The crown of queen of Jiu-Jitsu sits comfortably on Garcia’s head since 2010. She had a bit of a rough time in the last twelve months, dedicating to a strict diet and exercise regime, venturing into some MMA training for the next step on her career and also successfully defending herself from a not at fault positive drug test by USADA that caused her to lose the gold and the silver medals she won in the 2013 Worlds. Even with all that, she travelled to Abu Dhabi last month and displayed the usual pressure and also some nice technical moves to win once more at the 2014 WPJJC. Once again, she arrives in Long Beach seemingly without a real threat to her dominance, but you never know.

6. Will the Miyaos have success in their first Worlds as black belts?

They are fearless, train like maniacs and they like to teste themselves against bigger and more experienced opponents. The 2014 Worlds is the first opportunity for the Miyao brothers to do just that on the main stage. After a more than successful run up until the brown belt, they arrive in the black belt and split to two different divisions to have a chance to win big flying solo. João Miyao is in the roosterweight and should face Bruno Malfacine or Caio Terra, or both. Paulo is in the light-feather division, the same as Gui Mendes, Gabriel Moraes, Carlos Holanda. It’s going to be fun.

7. Will Cobrinha win his fifth title in the featherweight or is Rafael Mendes going to tie the score in 4 – 4?

Augusto Tanquinho was brillant last year when he stole the spotlight from both Cobrinha and Rafael Mendes. With the sitting champion out, the two bitter rivals should be in the final on Sunday, June 1^st. Cobrinha has kind of the upper hand, once he was the winner in the last time they met, but it was in the ADCC, without the gi. Rafael had an off year in 2013 but seems back in the game with the birth of his first son and the success of his academy. Despite the outcome, one answer is quite clear. It’s going to be a thrilling match, if it happens.

Keenan Cornelius vs. Diego Gamonal

8. Are we going to see a non-Brazilian win an adult male black belt division for the third time in history?

Keenan Cornelius might be the best chance of a non-Brazilian on the top of the podium. Rafael Lovato Jr, Alex Trans, Gianni Grippo, Clark Gracie, Koji Shibamoto are in the mix and can be nice surprises.

Referee crew at the Panama Open

9. How will fighters adapt to the updated rules?

The IBJJF launched bold updates to the rules recently. Knee-reaping and double guard pull are two of the things most common to happen that were addressed. Will fighters know that they can’t stay sitting down otherwise they will be penalized every 20 seconds? And will referees know how to differentiate non-disqualifying leg crossing from the disqualifying ones?

10. Who’s gonna be next big thing in Jiu-Jitsu?

The color belts are fun to watch and a trained eye can easily spot the talents that are coming to shine in the black belt in the years to come. The list of purple or brown belt champions that later on made it big in the black belt is endless. Roger Gracie, Ronaldo Jacaré, Xande Ribeiro, Marcus Buchecha, Rodolfo Vieira are juts a few that come to mind. Who do you think it’s gonna be this time?

The Long Beach Pyramid

The registration period for the 2014 World Jiu-Jitsu championship is now closed.

There are 345 male black belts competing and 49 female black belts registered, adding to an overall total of 394 black belts.

The most crowded black belt division is the male middleweight, with 67 athletes.

A quick look into the divisions is enough to predict amazing battles in the Long Beach Pyramid.

Male

With 18 competitors, the male black belt roosterweight features favorites Caio Terra and Bruno Malfacine and a little spice in the form of João Miyao, in his first Worlds as a black belt. There’s also strong contenders such as Fabio Passos, Milton Bastos, João Pedro Somália, Koji Shibamoto and Ivaniel Cavalcante.

In the lightfeather division, which gathers 32 athletes, Gui Mendes is going for his forth title in six years. This time, the biggest threat should be Paulo Miyao, also debuting as a black belt in the Worlds. Rafael “Barata” Freitas, Bernardo Pitel, last year’s champion Gabriel Moraes, Carlos Holanda, Samir Chantre and the Japanese battalion also make this one of the hardest light-feather divisions of all times.

Rafael Mendes vs. Cobrinha, in 2012

Since 2009, they meet at this time of the year in the featherweight division of the Worlds. Rafael Mendes and Rubens Cobrinha, holders of seven titles, are once again in collision course in a bracket that adds up to 45 athletes. Last year’s champion, Augusto Tanquinho, kept his promise and did not register to dedicate to MMA. Nevertheless, two-time champion Mario Reis, debuting black belt Gianni Grippo and always dangerous Osvaldo Moizinho, Theodoro Canal, Denilson Pimenta and Leonardo Saggioro can easily create a lot of trouble for the favorites.

Leandro Lo climbed one weight division and will be competing as a middleweight in 2014. With that, the lightweight is another bracket lacking the 2013 champion. The truth is that it does not matter a bit once there are other 56 beasts hungry for gold. Michael Langhi, Lucas Lepri, JT Torres, Roberto Satoshi, Francisco Iturralde, Rodrigo Caporal, Philipe Della Monica and AJ Agazarm are all a guarantee that thrills will be abundant in the bracket. If all that was not enough, three-time world champion Celso Venícius decided to interrupt his BJJ retirement (he’s been more than active in MMA) and jump in once again.

With 67 athletes, the male black belt middleweight is an universe by itself. The sitting two-time champion Otavio Sousa will have to work the hardest he ever worked to keep his post. Completely adapted to the new weight, Leandro Lo wants his third gold medal in a row (he won in 2012 and 2013 as a lightweight). Claudio Calasans Jr, Lucas Leite, Victor Estima, Vitor Oliveira, Clark Gracie and Marcelo Mafra are the usual suspects to threat the two favorites.

Lo vs. Otavio in the 2014 Pan

Romulo Barral almost gave up competing in 2011, but changed his mind and came back stronger than ever. The 2013 champion is after his fifth title overall and third in a row in the Worlds. To get to that, Barral will have to fight through a jungle of 45 competitors in the medium-heavyweight division. GB’s teammate Braulio Estima is his ally for another close out, just like in 2013. Guto Campos, Keenan Cornelius, Murilo Santana and Renato Cardoso will do their best to prevent that from happening again.

The heavyweight division is liberated. After three years of complete domination, Rodolfo Vieira decided to go to super-heavy, an strategy to have more pressure against Marcus Buchecha in a possible face off in the open class division. Relieved, the 36 competitors will go at each other to see who comes out on top in the end. Andre Galvão stands out as a possible favorite, but is closely followed by strong names such as Rafael Lovato Jr, Jackson Sousa, Yuri Simões, Tarsis Humphreys, Luiz Panza, Tarcisio Jardim, Felipe Pena and Roberto Alencar.

The superheavy division has 18 competitors and Rodolfo Vieira. The three-time world champion (not counting the 2011 open class gold) is clearly the favorite here, but that doesn’t mean he will have any kind of easy path to the gold. Two-time world champion Bernardo Faria and world champion Leonardo Nogueira are the biggest stones in Rodolfo’s metaphorical shoe (once no one wear shoes in Jiu-Jitsu). Igor Silva, Gustavo Pires, James Puopolo and Lucas Sachs cans also present some kind of trouble for the favorites.

Rodolfo is now in the superheavy and Buchecha sticks to ultra-heavy

The ultra-heavy division has 27 competitors. Obviously, Marcus Buchecha is the man to be beaten, as he goes for his third title in a row. Rodrigo Cavaca will work hard to be in the final again with his pupil, just like last year. Alex Trans will also work hard to spoil the party and secure a place in the final. Abraham Messina, Ricardo Evangelista, Thiago Gaia and Bruno Bastos are in the mix and hope to be around Sunday, for the quarterfinals.

Female

The division itself is a debutant in the Worlds. With that, Melissa Danforth, Marcela Lawton and Shiho Yaginuma will fight for the glory of becoming the first ever female black belt roosterweight champion.

Absent last year, Leticia Ribeiro is back to the light-feather division aiming for her eighth (that’s right, eighth!) title as a black belt. After her performance in Abu Dhabi, last month, newly-promoted black belt Ariadne Oliveira is Leticia’s big obstacle to reach the impressive mark.

Michelle Nicolini competed and won the medium-heavy division of the 2013 Worlds. This year, she is back to featherweight and should have Mackenzie Dern as her main opponent for the gold medal. Nadia Melo and Pan champion Tammi Musumeci are also in the mix.

The lightweight division should be yet another Bia Mesquita vs. Luiza Monteiro affair. The two could have Fabiana Borges as a party spoiler, but that’s unlikely.

Last year’s champion Luanna Alzuguir, went up to medium-heavy, so the middleweight crown is up for grabs. Vanessa Oliveira, 2013’s runner up wants it, but Janni Larsson, Shanti Abelha and Sophia Drysdale will not make it an easy task for the Brazilian.

After six years, Ana Laura is back to the competition circuit

The medium-heavy division has all the ingredients to be “the division” of the female black belt in the 2014 Worlds. The plot has it all. Luanna Alzuguir wants her fifth world title in a weight division, now in a heavier category. Hannette Staack is also after her eighth gold medal. To make things even more dramatic, Ana Laura Cordeiro makes her comeback after almost six years away from competitions due to a severe back injury. Who’s gonna take it? I don’t know!

The girls at heavyweight are a happy bunch in 2014. For the first time in a long time, the name Gabrielle Garcia does not appear in the bracket. With the creation of the super-heavy division, the star from Alliance had to leave the heavyweight division. With that, last year’s champion Andressa Correa, Luzia Fernandes, Fernanda Mazzelli, Tammy Grieggo and others will have the chance to compete with real chances to win gold.

The super-heavyweight division should be a warm up for Gabi Garcia to go after her third black belt open class gold medal.

For more info, go to http://ibjjf.org/championship/world-jiu-jitsu-championship/

Rodolfo Vieira and Marcus Buchecha in the 2012 Worlds

With less than 2 hours left until the final deadline, the 2014 Worlds registration list still lacks some important names.

Marcus Almeida, Rodolfo Vieira have just signed in.

Gabi Garcia still hasn’t registered.

Rodolfo is in the superheavy category, to compete against Bernardo Faria, Leo Nogueira, Gustavo Pires and Igor Silva, among others.

Buchecha is in the ultra-heavy division, alongside Alex Trans, Ricardo Evangelista, Rodrigo Cavaca, Abraham Messina and others.

In the female division, Gabi Garcia must be in the newly created superheavy bracket, which already have Luzia Fernandes, Andrea Pereira and Venla Luukkonen.

On the other hand, the 2014 Worlds will have many amazing stars in the black belt division.

Caio Terra, Bruno Malfacine and João Miyao in the roosterweight;

Gui Mendes, Gabriel Moraes, Paulo Miyao in the light-feather;

Rafael Mendes, Rubens Cobrinha, Mario Reis, Gianni Grippo in the featherweight;

Lucas Lepri, Michael Langhi, JT Torres, Roberto Satoshi in the lightweight;

Gabi at the 2013 Worlds absolute black belt final

Otavio Sousa, Leandro Lo, Clark Gracie, Lucas Leite in the middleweight;

Romulo Barral, Keenan Cornelius, Guto Campos, Braulio Estima in the medium-heavy;

André Galvão, Jackson Sousa, Yuri Simões, Tarsis Humphreys in the heavyweight;

Bernardo Faria, Leo Nogueira, Rodolfo Vieira (not registered yet), Gustavo Pires,  James Puopolo in the superheavy;

Marcus Buchecha (not registered yet), Rodrigo Cavaca, Alex Trans, Abraham Messina in the ultra-heavy.

The female black belt division also has its share of stars, such as Leticia Ribeiro, Ariadne Oliveira, Nyjah Easton, Michelle Nicolini, Mackenzie Dern, Beatriz Mesquita, Luiza Monteiro, Luanna Alzuguir, Hannette Staack, Ana Laura Cordeiro, Tammy Griego, Andressa Correa, Fernanda Mazzelli, among many others.

So hurry and register now.

The final deadline is today, May 19, at 11:59PM (PT).

Click here for more info and to register.