Kennedy Maciel won the ADCC 2026 in Krakow on September 12-13, according to Graciemag. Two of his four victories came by referee decision, demonstrating mastery of the ADCC's unique ruleset where passivity is penalized and three judges decide tied matches.
SourceONE Championship has booked Christian Lee, the reigning lightweight MMA champion, against Tye Ruotolo, the submission grappling world champion, at The Inner Circle 37, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. The 23-year-old Ruotolo previously defeated Adrian Lee and now faces Christian with a world title at stake. Lee holds a 18-4 record with 17 finishes.
SourceADCC has implemented a new rule barring coaches, parents, and spectators from entering the competition area during matches, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. Violations result in immediate match forfeiture and potential disqualification of the athlete, even if they were not directly involved in the interference.
SourceBrazilian black belt Gabriel Panizza of RMNU is building an international jiu-jitsu career with wins at the Tampa International Open and bronze at the IBJJF American National in his first year at black belt, reports Graciemag. He competes regularly on the international circuit and aims for a breakthrough at the World Master.
SourceChris Haueter, one of the first non-Brazilians to earn a black belt in jiu-jitsu, warned in a podcast that academies extending instructor authority beyond technique—controlling uniforms, appearance, or outside teaching—create toxic relationships. Haueter argues the true foundation of jiu-jitsu is humility and individual expression rather than rigid obedience, reports BJJ Eastern Europe.
SourceMario Sperry, a 1998 ADCC champion and three-time world champion, argues that modern sport BJJ has abandoned real fighting foundations, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. He contends that today's competitors lack stand-up skills and striking defense, and that pulling guard has become normalized despite contradicting jiu-jitsu's original purpose.
SourceDima Murovanni describes his ADCC preparation method as goal-oriented, combining observation and mathematics to identify variables and engineer solutions, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. He rejects the idea that exhausting athletes produces better competitors, preferring to teach fighters to control their own fatigue. He cited influences from Greg Souders and constraints-led coaching while noting tensions within that coaching community.
SourceBrazilian black belt Rodrigo Fujita, 43, has achieved three consecutive podiums at the IBJJF World Master between 2023 and 2025, reports Graciemag. His competitive career began in Japan in 2008 and has spanned three countries, accumulating numerous medals throughout his athletic journey.
SourceTen-time IBJJF World Champion Roger Gracie argues that technical trends in jiu-jitsu, such as leg locks and berimbolo, follow natural cycles. When a technique becomes popular and everyone learns to defend it, it stops working and a new trend emerges. According to BJJ Eastern Europe, Gracie warns that the real risk is overspecializing in one technique, creating gaps in overall game.
SourceRodrigo Fujita has earned podium finishes at the IBJJF World Master for three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025, reports Graciemag. The Japanese-descent athlete began training in 2008 and has built a career marked by consistency across multiple countries and competition levels.
SourceJoe Lauzon, who runs a respected New England academy, told BJJ Eastern Europe that the hardest membership decisions involve well-meaning but annoying students rather than genuinely bad actors. Both Lauzon and Matt Serra agreed that removing people who disrupt the group is tougher than dealing with clearly malicious behavior.
SourceMikey Musumeci intends to relinquish his UFC BJJ bantamweight title and shift focus to a professional MMA debut, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. After competing against Bryce Mitchell at UFC BJJ 11, Musumeci said he no longer feels motivated by the jiu-jitsu title and plans to discuss the move with the promotion. He aims to make his MMA debut by late 2026.
SourceGraciemag reports that Paulo Anselmo led the NS BrotherHood expansion in his hometown of Itatiba before relocating to Tampa, where he represents RMNU under Robson Moura's guidance. With over 23 years of training and nearly 18 years teaching, Anselmo stands out for the social impact of his methodology, viewing the mat as a tool for transformation beyond competition.
SourceThiago Saldanha is a black belt at Renzo Gracie Academy who moved from southern Brazil to New York City. Beyond winning IBJJF titles, he stands out as a teacher developing practical jiu-jitsu applications. Graciemag reports that mentors Renzo Gracie and Rafael Natal taught him a methodical approach to the art.
SourceGraciemag presents ten definitions of jiu-jitsu from masters and instructors in the discipline. The phrases describe jiu-jitsu as an educational tool, intelligent defense art, and life metaphor, emphasizing technique over brute force.
SourceWallace Lopes and his sons Jordan and Jonatan will compete on the same card at Liga Monstro Combat 3 in São Paulo on September 25, reports Graciemag. Wallace will make his boxing debut while his two sons will debut as professional MMA fighters.
SourcePedro Henrique Valim and Kauan Gallinaro will compete at the Turris Invitational on November 14 in Rio de Janeiro in a jiu-jitsu match. Valim, 18, has competed 103 times with 67 gold medals, reports Graciemag. Gallinaro returned to competition after a break, with 2026 marking his comeback to positive results.
SourceNick Rodriguez faces Mason Fowler in a UFC BJJ title rematch, reports BJJ Eastern Europe. Rodriguez stated that the financial reward matters more to him than the belt itself. He plans to employ a higher pace and constant pressure from the start, differing from his approach in their first meeting.
SourceBJJ Eastern Europe reports that black belt and ADCC silver medalist AJ Agazarm, 39, was arrested on September 22, 2026 in Ventura County, California on suspicion of burglary. Further details about the alleged incident remain unavailable. Agazarm is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
SourceTom DeBlass posted on Instagram addressing jiu-jitsu instructors, arguing that non-competing students deserve special attention and different care standards than competitors. According to BJJ Eastern Europe, DeBlass emphasized that many of these students, often with full-time jobs and family responsibilities, try to match competitors' pace when instructors should prioritize their long-term health and sustainability in training.
SourceBJJ Eastern Europe reports that Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, a blue belt, regularly trains jiu-jitsu despite frequent losses on the mats. He credits the sport with helping him understand his players' emotional stress and maintaining the humility needed to lead effectively.
SourceProfessor Lindoberg Alves began jiu-jitsu at age 30 following a personal tragedy that motivated him to channel anger into positive energy, reports Graciemag. The GMI instructor has developed teaching methods for children, including those with autism, and accumulated over a decade of experience with Ryan Gracie/Legião.
SourceBJJ Eastern Europe reports that John Danaher outlined a framework for developing a personal submission set. Grapplers should have at least one front and one rear strangle, a straight and bent-arm armlock, and a straight and twisting leg lock. Submissions should also work in dilemma pairings, where resisting one creates danger from another.
SourcePawel Jaworski, Poland's first ADCC world champion at 88kg, stated he will not compete in the absolute division unless the organization implements PED testing. BJJ Eastern Europe reports the champion believes it unfair to face potentially doped heavier athletes under a ruleset that rarely penalizes stalling.
SourceErik Paulson stated on a podcast that he believes he was pushed out of Rickson Gracie's academy for undisclosed reasons, despite having permission to compete bare knuckle. BJJ Eastern Europe reports Paulson suspects Rickson was concerned about potential conflict with Renzo, and that Rickson had previously suggested Paulson compete in the first UFC.
SourceWallace Lopes will fight in the co-main event boxing match at Liga Monstro Combat 3 on September 25 in São Paulo, while his sons Jordan and Jonatan make their professional MMA debuts on the same card, reports Graciemag. The family trains together at Rio Fighters under coach Miltinho Vieira.
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