ADCC 2026 World Championships: Athletes & Preview

The biggest event in submission grappling is heading to Europe for the first time in nearly a decade. ADCC 2026 World Championships will take place on September 12-13, 2026, inside the massive Tauron Arena in Kraków, Poland. With over 30 athletes already confirmed across eight weight divisions, the road to Kraków is heating up fast—and the no-gi grappling world is paying attention.

Whether you are a competitor grinding through ADCC Trials, a fan tracking your favorite athletes, or a no-gi practitioner deciding which rashguard to pack for the watch party, this is the definitive guide to everything happening with ADCC 2026.

The Tauron Arena in Kraków, Poland—home of the ADCC 2026 World Championships. Photo: Dwxn / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Why ADCC 2026 Matters More Than Ever

ADCC—the Abu Dhabi Combat Club—has been the gold standard of no-gi grappling competition since its founding in 1998. Unlike IBJJF tournaments where points and advantages drive strategy, ADCC rewards aggression and submission hunting with a unique ruleset that penalizes stalling and passivity. No gis. No stalling. Just pure submission grappling at the highest level. If you are new to the no-gi BJJ world, our complete guide covers everything you need to get started.

The 2026 edition carries extra weight for several reasons. First, it marks ADCC’s return to Europe for the first time since the 2017 event in Finland. Second, the retirement of Gordon Ryan—widely regarded as the greatest no-gi grappler of all time—leaves a massive vacuum at the top. And third, a new generation of grapplers is emerging from the trials circuit with something to prove.

No-gi submission wrestling in action. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The Super Fight Question: Who Faces Kaynan Duarte?

Traditionally, ADCC World Championships are headlined by a “Super Fight” between the reigning champion and the previous tournament’s absolute division winner. That formula pointed squarely at Gordon Ryan defending against Kaynan Duarte, who earned double gold at ADCC 2024 and dominated the absolute division.

However, Gordon Ryan has stepped away from competition, citing chronic health issues. His retirement was confirmed in mid-2025, and despite occasional rumors of a comeback, all indications are that the King will not be on the mats in Kraków.

This leaves ADCC organizers with a fascinating dilemma. Kaynan Duarte is locked in as a competitor—his slot is guaranteed—but the opponent for the Super Fight remains TBA. Possible candidates include Felipe Pena (the +99kg champion with a legendary rivalry against Ryan), Giancarlo Bodoni (a rising American star at 88kg), or even a wildcard invitation to a high-profile MMA crossover fighter.

Whatever the matchup, this Super Fight will be the first in ADCC history without Gordon Ryan since 2019—and that alone makes it must-watch grappling.

No-gi grappling action in a competition arena. Photo: Pexels.

Every Confirmed Athlete by Weight Class

ADCC 2026 features five men’s divisions (16 athletes each) and three women’s divisions (8 athletes each). Spots are earned through ADCC Trials or direct invitation based on elite-level results. Here is the full confirmed roster as of March 2026:

66 kg — The Speed Demons

This is the division where technique and scrambling ability reign supreme. Returning champion Diogo “Baby Shark” Reis (Brazil) is the man to beat after his dominant 2024 performance. He faces a diverse international field:

• Diogo Reis — Reigning ADCC Champion (Brazil)
• Nikodem Mikuliszyn — 2025 ADCC EMEA Trials Winner (Poland)
• Dorian Olivarez — 2025 ADCC East Coast Trials Winner (USA)
• Ryoma Anraku — 2025 ADCC Asia & Oceania Trials Winner (Japan)
• Yigit Hanay — 2026 ADCC EMEA Trials Winner (Turkey)

With 11 spots still open, expect more names from upcoming North American and South American Trials, plus direct invitations to established stars.

77 kg — Mica Galvão’s Division to Lose

Mica Galvão is arguably the most exciting grappler on the planet right now. The young Brazilian phenom won ADCC 2024 gold at 77kg and has been terrorizing competition circuits with his aggressive submission hunting. His confirmed challengers include a notable invite:

• Mica Galvão — Reigning ADCC Champion (Brazil)
• Magomed Dzharbaev — 2025 ADCC EMEA Trials Winner (Russia)
• Jacob Bornemann — 2025 ADCC East Coast Trials Winner (USA)
• Izaak Michell — 2025 ADCC Asia & Oceania Trials Winner (Australia)
• Nikolay Vetrov — 2026 ADCC EMEA Trials Winner (Russia)
• Mateusz Gamrot — Invited (Poland)

The Gamrot invitation is particularly interesting—the UFC lightweight contender is also a decorated grappler and will have a home-crowd advantage in Kraków.

No-gi grappling training is the foundation of ADCC preparation. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

88 kg — Bodoni Looks to Repeat

Giancarlo Bodoni broke through at ADCC 2024 to claim gold at 88kg. The New Wave Jiu-Jitsu product—formerly trained under the legendary John Danaher—brings technical precision and devastating leg locks:

• Giancarlo Bodoni — Reigning ADCC Champion (USA)
• Pawel Jaworski — 2025 ADCC EMEA Trials Winner (Poland)
• Jon Blank — 2025 ADCC East Coast Trials Winner (USA)
• Jozef Chen — 2025 ADCC Asia & Oceania Trials Winner (South Africa)
• Marlon Tajik — 2026 ADCC EMEA Trials Winner (Sweden)

99 kg — Kaynan Duarte’s Kingdom

Kaynan Duarte dominated ADCC 2024, winning both his weight class and the absolute division. The Brazilian powerhouse is the betting favorite to repeat, but the 99kg division always produces surprises:

• Kaynan Duarte — Reigning ADCC Champion (Brazil)
• Declan Moody — 2025 ADCC EMEA Trials Winner (Australia)
• Achilles Rocha — 2025 ADCC East Coast Trials Winner (Brazil)
• Nicholac Maglicic — 2025 ADCC Asia & Oceania Trials Winner (Australia)
• Eoghan O’Flanagan — 2026 ADCC EMEA Trials Winner (UK)

No-gi grappling training in a competition environment. Photo: Pexels.

+99 kg — Felipe Pena and the Heavyweights

Felipe Pena reclaimed +99kg gold at ADCC 2024 and remains one of the most experienced super-heavyweights in submission grappling history. His rivalry with Gordon Ryan defined the division for years—now, without Ryan, Pena enters as the clear favorite:

• Felipe Pena — Reigning ADCC Champion (Brazil)
• Mark Macqueen — 2025 ADCC EMEA Trials Winner (Scotland)
• Brandon Reed — 2025 ADCC East Coast Trials Winner (Canada)
• Tito John Carle — 2025 ADCC Asia & Oceania Trials Winner (Australia)
• Haisam Rida — 2026 ADCC EMEA Trials Winner (Ghana)

Women’s Divisions — Three Stacked Brackets

ADCC 2026 features three women’s weight classes with 8 competitors each. All three reigning champions have been confirmed:

• Women’s 55 kg: Adele Fornarino (champion, Australia) vs. Janette Gloger (EMEA Trials, Germany)
• Women’s 65 kg: Ana Carolina Vieira (champion, Brazil) vs. Injana Goodman (EMEA Trials, UK)
• Women’s +65 kg: Rafaela Guedes (champion, Brazil) vs. Anabel Lopez (EMEA Trials, UK)

The women’s brackets are still early in formation, with each division having 6 more spots to fill through trials and invitations.

Submission wrestling athletes grapple no-gi during competition. Photo: DVIDS / Wikimedia Commons, public domain.

How Athletes Qualify for ADCC 2026

There are exactly two pathways to the ADCC World Championships:

1. ADCC Trials

ADCC organizes eight trials events across four global regions: North America, South America, Europe/Africa/Middle East, and Asia/Oceania. Each region holds two trials—one in 2025 and one in 2026. The winner of each men’s weight class at every trials event earns a guaranteed spot. For women, only the second trials in each region awards qualifying spots.

The trials format is grueling. Hundreds of competitors register for each event, with matches running all day in a single-elimination bracket. Losing one match means going home. The physical and mental demands are enormous, which is precisely why trials winners are respected as legitimate contenders.

2. Direct Invitation

ADCC reserves half the spots in each division for invited athletes. These invitations go to reigning champions, past ADCC medalists, and elite grapplers with proven track records at the highest levels of competition. Organizations like WNO, the PGF, and major IBJJF no-gi events serve as unofficial proving grounds for earning these coveted invites.

ADCC 2026 European Trials Highlights

The most recent completed trials took place on February 14-15, 2026, in Serbia. Eight new qualifiers earned their spots across the men’s and women’s divisions. The action was intense—check out this highlight reel of submissions from the European Trials:

25 submissions from the final day of the 2026 ADCC European Trials. Credit: FloGrappling / YouTube.

Remaining Trials Schedule

Several key trials events remain before the September 2026 championship. Athletes still have multiple opportunities to earn their spot:

• 2nd North American Trials — Date and location TBA (expected mid-2026)
• 2nd South American Trials — Date and location TBA
• 2nd Asia & Oceania Trials — Date and location TBA

Direct invitations will continue to be announced throughout 2026 as ADCC fills the remaining roster spots. FloGrappling typically breaks invitation news first, and the grappling community closely monitors social media for announcements.

No-gi grappling sparring replicates the intensity of ADCC competition. Photo: Pexels.

What Makes ADCC Rules Different from IBJJF No-Gi

If you are used to IBJJF no-gi rules, ADCC plays a completely different game. Here are the key differences every grappler and fan should understand:

• No points in the first half: The first portion of each match is submission-only. Points only begin counting in the second half, which rewards aggressive early attacks.
• Negative points for pulling guard: Unlike IBJJF where guard pulling is common, ADCC penalizes it. This encourages wrestling and takedown-heavy strategies.
• Overtime rules: If the match is tied after regulation, overtime periods with riding time determine the winner. This system rewards top control and wrestling ability.
• Heel hooks are legal: From the very first division, all leg lock variations—including inside and outside heel hooks—are permitted. This changes the entire strategic landscape.
• No advantages: There are no advantage points. Either you score or you do not, which eliminates much of the referee subjectivity found in other rulesets.

These rules create matches that are fundamentally more action-packed than traditional point-based grappling. Stalling is penalized, guard pulling is discouraged, and submission attempts are rewarded. It is the closest thing to a pure test of submission grappling ability.

The Tauron Arena — A World-Class Venue

The Tauron Arena Kraków is one of the largest indoor arenas in Poland, with a seating capacity of approximately 22,000. The venue has hosted major concerts, sporting events, and international competitions. For ADCC, it represents a significant upgrade in venue size and production value.

Kraków itself is a destination city—a UNESCO World Heritage site with centuries of history, incredible food, and a vibrant nightlife scene. For traveling fans, the event doubles as a European vacation. The city is well-connected by international flights and rail, making it accessible from virtually anywhere in Europe.

Ticket information has not yet been officially announced, but based on previous ADCC events, expect multiple tiers ranging from general admission to premium mat-side seating. Early booking is strongly recommended—ADCC 2024 tickets sold out rapidly.

The sprawl—a fundamental no-gi grappling defense technique used across ADCC competition. Photo: USMC / Wikimedia Commons, public domain.

How to Watch ADCC 2026

ADCC 2026 will be broadcast live on FloGrappling, which holds exclusive streaming rights for the event. Based on previous years, early rounds of the tournament will likely be streamed for free on YouTube before the semifinals and finals move behind the FloGrappling subscription paywall.

A FloGrappling subscription typically costs around $12.99/month or $150/year and includes access to all their events, including WNO, IBJJF coverage, and extensive grappling archives. For serious no-gi fans, the subscription pays for itself during ADCC weekend alone.

Storylines to Watch

Beyond the confirmed roster, several developing storylines will shape ADCC 2026:

• The post-Gordon Ryan era: With the GOAT retired, who claims the throne as the sport’s biggest star? Mica Galvão and Kaynan Duarte are the frontrunners.
• European home-mat advantage: Several European trials winners—Mikuliszyn (Poland), Jaworski (Poland), and Gamrot (Poland)—will compete on home soil. The crowd energy could be a factor.
• MMA crossovers: Mateusz Gamrot’s inclusion signals ADCC’s continued interest in attracting MMA fighters. More crossover invitations could follow.
• Rising African and Asian talent: Haisam Rida (Ghana) and Ryoma Anraku (Japan) represent the expanding global reach of submission grappling.
• Women’s division growth: Three women’s brackets with growing prize purses reflect the sport’s commitment to developing the women’s competitive scene.

ADCC 2026 in Kraków is shaping up to be one of the most significant grappling events in the sport’s history. With a stacked roster, a world-class venue, and the backdrop of a post-Gordon Ryan competitive landscape, September 12-13 cannot come soon enough.

Stay tuned to Rashguard Guy for continued coverage of ADCC 2026, including athlete spotlights, gear guides for no-gi competition, and tips on how to train like the world’s best submission grapplers.