2025 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship

Elisabeth Clay’s Historic Double Gold

Elisabeth Clay delivered a landmark performance, securing double gold by submitting all eight of her opponents across both her weight class and the absolute division. Her run included victories over ADCC open-weight champion Adele Fornarino and the highly decorated Gabrieli Pessanha, who had never been submitted at black belt and outweighed Clay by over 30 kg. Clay’s technical precision and relentless submission attacks set a new standard for dominance at the black belt level.

Roosevelt Sousa’s Dual Triumph

Roosevelt Sousa also achieved double gold, capturing titles in both the +97 kg and Absolute divisions. This accomplishment added to his 2025 accolades, which include a Gi Worlds title and double gold at No-Gi Pans. Sousa’s ability to impose his game across multiple brackets highlights his adaptability and finishing prowess.

Cole Abate’s Continued Dominance

In the men’s 73 kg division, Cole Abate continued his winning streak by submitting all four of his opponents, building on his 2024 championship success. Abate’s aggressive guard passing and submission chains reinforced his reputation as one of the division’s most dynamic competitors.

The adult black belt finals featured a blend of submission finishes and tactical points victories, reflecting the technical depth across both men’s and women’s divisions.

• Men’s Absolute Final: Paweł Jaworski outmaneuvered Jean Maltese by points (2-0), demonstrating superior tactical control and positional awareness.
• Men’s Rooster Final: Lucas Castro submitted John Stapleton with a Rear Naked Choke, showcasing Castro’s ability to secure the back and finish decisively.
• Women’s Heavyweight Final: Cassia Moura dictated the pace, defeating Nia Blackman by a clear 6-0 margin.
• Women’s Rooster Final: Thais Loureiro edged out Faye Cherrier in a tightly contested match, winning by points (4-2).
• Women’s Rooster Division: Mariana Rolszt delivered a dominant 11-0 points victory over Ashleigh Reyes, controlling every phase of the match.
• Women’s Light Final: Lillian Marchand capped her run with a submission win over Amanda Bruse via Rear Naked Choke.
• Men’s Light-Feather Final: Kleber Barboza maintained positional superiority to defeat Junny Ocasio by points (4-0).
• Men’s Heavyweight Final: Javier Barter secured the title with a clinical Inside Heel Hook submission against London Horn.
• Women’s Absolute Final: Elisabeth Clay continued her submission streak, defeating Adele Fornarino with a precise Guillotine Choke.

These results underscore the high level of technical execution and strategic acumen displayed throughout the finals.

Submission Statistics and Key Techniques

The 2025 World No-Gi Championship was defined by a remarkable 46% submission rate, with 118 submissions across 257 matches. The most prevalent finishes included the Rear Naked Choke (26), Inside Heel Hook (20), Straight Ankle Lock (14), and Armbar (10).

Technical Highlights

• Elisabeth Clay demonstrated exceptional versatility, securing multiple finishes with both the Guillotine Choke and Inside Heel Hook, including her decisive win over Adele Fornarino in the Absolute final.
• Javier Barter captured the Men’s Heavyweight crown with a textbook Inside Heel Hook against London Horn, exemplifying the effectiveness of leg attacks at the highest level.
• Roosevelt Sousa showcased his submission arsenal by dispatching Helder Junior “Tropeco” via Kimura in the Ultra-Heavy semi-final.
• Both Lillian Marchand and Lucas Castro capitalized on back takes, finishing their respective finals with the Rear Naked Choke.

These trends highlight the evolving technical landscape of no-gi competition, where leg locks and classic back attacks remain central to elite-level success.

Semifinal Battles and Pivotal Moments

The championship’s progression was shaped by tightly contested semifinals and critical bracket matches:

• In the Men’s Absolute semi-final, Elder Cruz advanced over Jorge Escudero by securing four advantages in a scoreless tactical battle, emphasizing the value of positional aggression and near-submissions under IBJJF rules.
• Nicholas Maglicic earned his Super-Heavy final berth with a 2-0 points victory over Elioenai Braz, leveraging strategic control to edge out the win.
• In the Women’s Middle semi-final, Elisabeth Clay maintained her flawless submission run by finishing Fernanda Jesus with a Guillotine Choke.
• Gianni Grippo edged Cameron Mellott 5-2 in the Men’s Feather semi-final, utilizing sharp guard passing and positional dominance.
• Giovanah Oliveira advanced in the Women’s Feather division with a decision win over Emily Nicholson in the 4F round, reflecting the competitive depth of the women’s brackets.

These pivotal matches contributed to a dynamic and unpredictable tournament narrative, with both established champions and rising talents leaving a lasting impact on the 2025 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship.