2026 IBJJF No-Gi Absolute Grand Prix

Victor Hugo claimed the Grand Prix title with a commanding 15-2 points decision over Pedro Marinho in the final. Marinho established an early foothold, converting a duck-under into a throw to put the first points on the board. Hugo responded with a decisive sequence — mounting Marinho and systematically widening the scoring gap to an insurmountable margin. His ability to impose positional control and score repeatedly from top position defined the final, securing him both the Grand Prix title and the $50,000 grand prize.

Quarter-Finals

The quarter-finals delivered a mix of sharp submission finishes and controlled decision victories. Victor Hugo opened his campaign with a measured 3-0 points decision over Marlon Tajik, dictating the pace and limiting his opponent's offense throughout. The most emphatic finish of the round came from Javier Barter, who submitted Nick Hartman via Rear Naked Choke, demonstrating clean back-take instincts and finishing efficiency. Pedro Marinho advanced with a disciplined 2-0 points win over Diego "Pato" Oliveira Batista, maintaining positional dominance from start to finish. Gustavo Batista rounded out the quarter-finals with a 2-0 points decision over Michael Pixley, relying on effective control and strategic positioning to earn his place in the semis.

Semi-Finals

The semi-finals produced two contrasting but equally decisive outcomes. Hugo dismantled Barter with a Rear Naked Choke finish, his back-take crisp and his finishing mechanics efficient. On the other side of the bracket, Marinho delivered the quickest finish of the night — a swift Heel Hook that ended Batista's run emphatically and underscored Marinho's danger as a leg lock threat.

Submission finishes defined the character of the February 26 card. Three of the five non-final bracket bouts ended by submission: Barter's Rear Naked Choke over Hartman in the quarter-finals, Hugo's Rear Naked Choke over Barter in the semi-finals, and Marinho's Heel Hook over Batista — the night's fastest finish.

The superfight portion added further highlight-reel moments. Helena Crevar caught Agatha Fernandes in a Darce Choke in their no-gi women's contest, finishing despite a strong performance from Fernandes. In gi competition, Sarah Galvao submitted Maria Vicentini with a sharp Armbar, and Ashlee Funegra mirrored that result by finishing Yasmyn Castro via Armbar. Mick Whelan capped the submission highlights with a technically polished Triangle Armbar finish over Isaac Huertas, showcasing seamless transitions and tight finishing control throughout their superfight.

The superfight card spanned both gi and no-gi formats across male and female divisions, producing a blend of submission finishes and closely contested decision outcomes.

Cole Abate edged Will Wilson via a 2-1 advantages decision in a tightly matched no-gi bout, while Crevar's D'arce Choke finish of Fernandes stood as the headline result in the no-gi women's division. The gi women's slate delivered two clean submission victories, with Galvao's armbar over Vicentini and Ashlee Funegra's armbar over Castro providing decisive finishes.

Among the decision bouts, Mateo Cardona stood out with a fluid, sweep-heavy performance against Leonardo Souza, outscoring his opponent 4-2 on points in a no-gi matchup that showcased his technical creativity. Dominic Manno defeated Luan Veras 2-0 on points, and Kellyson Carlos edged Evan Duncan by the narrowest possible margin — 1-0 on advantages. Natalee Funegra claimed a 1-0 advantages decision over Kaitlyn Schmidt, while Johnny Anderson outscored Julio Cesar Da Silva 2-0 on points in a strategic performance. Asafe Alves closed out the card with a judge's decision victory over JP Tran.

The IBJJF No Gi Absolute Grand Prix 2026 was structured as a single-day event centered on an 8-man no-gi absolute bracket contested under IBJJF rules. Running from quarter-finals through semi-finals to a final, the bracket served as the competitive centerpiece of the card, with all bouts contested in no-gi attire at open weight. A $50,000 grand prize elevated the stakes across every round, adding tangible consequence to each exchange and decision.

Surrounding the bracket, the event featured a mixed superfight card incorporating both gi and no-gi bouts across male and female divisions — earning the event its Mixed category classification. Hugo's back-to-back submission and decision victories over Marlon Tajik, Javier Barter, and Pedro Marinho secured him both the Grand Prix title and the full prize purse, completing a dominant day at the top of the open-weight field.