Over the course of 4 days some of the best grapplers in the world took part in the 2021 IBJJF No Gi World Championship in Texas. The black belts took to the mats on Saturday and Sunday to determine who would walk away with the No Gi crown for this year. All Jiu Jitsu fans look forward to this event as it has a reputation for action packed matches and breakout stars. This event was particularly stacked with some of the best Jiu Jitsu players in the world as many are seeking to settle back into a regular competition schedule. See below for some highlights for the black belt results.

Diego “Pato”  Oliveria of Unity/ Cicero Costa was a force all weekend, showing off the exciting style of Jiu Jitsu which we have come accustomed to seeing from the Unity squad. Pato has hit his stride in competition lately, No Gi Worlds was no different. After finding a submission in his first match, Pato won twice more with wins by advantage and points. His opponent in the final was the always tough Gabriel Sousa with Pato walking away with an advantage victory. His teammates from unity Jeferson Guaresi and Devonte Johnson walked away with gold in the Medium-Heavy and Super-Heavy Divisions respectively. Perhaps we will see more Unity players  of the next generation reaching the top of the blacket belt no gi jiu jitsu scene soon.

At lightweight the long time stand out in the black belt gi and no gi ranks, Gianni Grippo got his hands around a second no gi BJJ title. Gianni worked his way through a competitive bracket, finding a brutal arm triangle choke in the finals to put his opponent unconscious. With Gi worlds just around the corner, this could be the year that Gianni seizes one of the few titles which he has yet to capture in the jiu jitsu world.

Despite all the breakout performances and stars at the male black belt division this past weekend, Pedro Marinho was able to steal the show, walking away with the double gold medal. Taking home the crown for the heavy weight and absolute divisions whilst putting on an absolute show and displaying some amazing Jiu Jitsu. The Gracie Barra fighter took wins of the likes of Victor Hugo, Adam Wardzinski, Vagner Rocha and Adam Bradley. Displaying a well rounded came with some impressive wrestling Pedro was able to find the points when he needed them to secure victory after victory in his march to the top of the podium 

On the Women’s side of the action Talita Alencar achieved her fourth world title in No Gi Jiu Jitsu. The American Combat Gym competitor made use of her aggressive style to break opponents down, all weekend. With this elite grappler making moves into MMA, keep an eye out for Alencar on the mats or in the cage.

Crowd favorite, Ffion Davies ended a successful trip to North America with her second world title in the lightweight division. The Welsh grappler who trains in Ireland under the tutelage of Darragh O'connell at world famous East Coast Jiu Jitsu academy, won a combat jiu jitsu match at a Medusa event in Mexico only a few days before the No Gi Worlds. Regardless of the rule set Ffion always shows the type of Jiu Jitsu which has made her a favorite and one of the most exciting Jiu Jitsu players in the world. Big throws, scrambles and shocking submissions were flowing all weekend for this elite competitor on her mission to securing another world title.

The absolute division was won by Atos’s Rafaela Guedes. The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ace also captured the heavyweight title over the weekend. Using a diverse range of attacks from the feet and savvy submission transitions, Guedes truly showed why she is one of the best in the world. The rising star recently claimed gold and a nice pay at WNOs. Keep an eye on Guedes moving forward.

Thanks for reading!

-Team Progress Jiu Jitsu