The 2024 ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship is a highly anticipated martial arts event held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, on August 17-18.
This championship is the pinnacle of submission grappling. It takes place every two years and attracts competitors and fans from all over the world. Continue reading for more!
2024 ADCC World Championship Official Competitors by Weight Class
This year’s championship features an expanded roster, reflecting the growing popularity and inclusivity of the sport.
There are now five male weight classes and three female weight classes, as mentioned below:
MALE -66 kg (16 Competitors)
- Diogo Reis – ADCC 2022 Champion
- Owen Jones – Europe Trial 1 Winner
- Dorian Olivarez – USA Trial 1 Winner
- Ethan Thomas – Asia Trial 1 Winner
- Gairbeg Ibragimov – Europe Trial 2 Winner
- Kennedy Maciel – Brazil Trial 1 Winner
- Fabricio Andrey – Brazil Trial 2 Winner
- Deandre Corbe – USA Trial 2 Winner
- Huaiqing Xu – Asia Trial 2 Winner
- Ethan Crelinsten – Invited
- Kauã Gabriel – Invited
- Ashley Williams – Invited
- Josh Cisneros – Invited
- Keith Krikorian – Invited
- Gabriel Sousa – Invited
- Diego Pato – Invited
MALE -77 kg (16 Competitors)
- Elijah Dorsey – USA Trial 1 Winner
- Luiz Paulo – Brazil Trial 1 Winner
- Alexandre Jesus – Brazil Trial 2 Winner
- JT Torres – Invited
- Mica Galvao – Invited
- Dante Leon – Invited
- PJ Barch – Invited
- Jonnatas Gracie – Invited
- Oliver Taza – Invited
- Mateusz Szczecinski – Invited
- Davi Ramos – Invited
- Isaque Bahiense – Invited
- Garry Tonon – Invited
- Fabio Caloi – Invited
- Jeremy Skinner – Invited
- Vagner Rocha – Invited
MALE -88 kg (16 Competitors)
- Giancarlo Bodoni – ADCC 2022 Champion
- Santeri Lilius – Europe Trial 1 Winner
- Jacob Couch – USA Trial 1 Winner
- Izaak Michell – Asia Trial 1 Winner
- Taylor Pearman – Europe Trial 2 Winner
- Charles Negromonte – Brazil Trial 1 Winner
- Pedro Marinho – Brazil Trial 2 Winner
- Lucas Kanard – Asia Trial 2 Winner
- Gabriel Almeida – Invited
- Jacob Rodriguez – Invited
- Elder Cruz – Invited
- Andre Porfirio – Invited
- Ryan Aitken – Invited
- Chris Wojcik – Invited
- Josh Hinger – Invited
- Felipe Costa – Moving down from -99kg
MALE -99 kg (16 Competitors)
- Kaynan Duarte – ADCC 2022 Champion
- Paul Ardila – USA Trial 1 Winner
- Declan Moody – Asia Trial 1 Winner
- Marcin Maciulewicz – Europe Trial 2 Winner
- Henrique Cardoso – Brazil Trial 2 Winner
- Michael Pixley – USA Trial 2 Winner
- Daniel Schuardt – Asia Trial 2 Winner
- Roberto Abreu “Cyborg” – Invited
- Rafael Lovato – Invited
- Eli Braz – Invited
- Nicholas Meregali – Invited
- Alex Grandy – Invited
- Patrick Gaudio – Invited
- Javier Zaruski – Invited
- Vinicius Ferreira – Invited
- Daishi Goto – Invited
MALE +99 kg (16 Competitors)
- Heikki Jussila – Europe Trial 1 Winner
- Daniel Manasoiu – USA Trial 1 Winner
- Josh Saunders – Asia Trial 1 Winner
- Mark Macqueen – Europe Trial 2 Winner
- Victor Honorio – Brazil Trial 2 Winner
- Mike Perez – USA Trial 2 Winner
- Mansur Makhmakhanov – Asia Trial 2 Winner
- Felipe Pena – Invited
- Vinny Magalhaes – Invited
- Vince Pezzuto – Invited
- John Hansen – Invited
- Roosevelt Sousa – Invited
- Haisam Rida – Invited
- Luke Griffith – Moving up from -99kg
- Damon Ramos – Invited
- Brandon Reed – Invited
FEMALE -55 kg (8 Competitors)
- Margot Ciccarelli – Europe Trial 2 Winner
- Anna Rodrigues – Brazil Trial 2 Winner
- Jasmine Rocha – USA Trial 2 Winner
- Adele Fornarino – Asia Trial 2 Winner
- Mayssa Bastos – Invited
- Alex Enriquez – Invited
- Brenda Larissa – Invited
- Bianca Basilio – Invited
FEMALE -65 kg (8 Competitors)
- Aurelie Le Vern – Europe Trial 2 Winner
- Ana Carolina Vieira – Brazil Trial 2 Winner
- Helena Crevar – USA Trial 2 Winner
- Sula-Mae Loewenthal – Asia Trial 2 Winner
- Brianna Ste-Marie – Invited
- Bia Mesquita – Invited
- Amanda Leve – Invited
- Morgan Black – Invited
FEMALE +65 kg (8 Competitors)
- Amy Campo – ADCC 2022 Champion (+60kg)
- Nia Blackman – Europe Trial 2 Winner
- Maria Ruffatto – Brazil Trial 2 Winner
- Elizabeth Mitrovic – USA Trial 2 Winner
- Nikki Lloyd-Griffiths – Asia Trial 2 Winner
- Nathiely De Jesus – Invited
- Kendall Reusing – Invited
- Rafaela Guedes – Invited
2024 ADCC Superfights Overview
The 2024 ADCC World Championship is set to host an unprecedented event this year with not just one but two high-profile superfights.
This double feature underscores the growing excitement and prestige surrounding ADCC events.
Each super-fight showcases elite competitors with proven track records in ADCC history, highlighting their skills in a clash of grappling titans.
Superfight 1: Gordon Ryan vs. Felipe Pena
The first super-fight will occur on August 17, 2024.
Gordon Ryan, the current ADCC Superfight Champion, will take on Felipe Pena, the ADCC 2017 Absolute class winner.
Grappling fans highly anticipate this matchup due to the storied rivalry between the two competitors.
Gordon Ryan, known for his dominant performances and strategic prowess on the mat, has been a formidable force in the grappling world.
Felipe Pena’s opponent is one of the few grapplers to have bested Ryan in competition, adding intense rivalry and excitement to this match.
Ryan’s style, characterized by his exceptional control and submission skills, contrasts with Pena’s dynamic guard play and resilience, making this a stylistic clash that fans are eager to witness.
This ADCC superfight offers a rematch for the two elite athletes and critically tests their evolved skills and strategies since their last encounter.
Superfight 2: Gordon Ryan vs. Yuri Simoes
In a rare turn of events, Gordon Ryan will also headline the second super fight on August 18, 2024, taking on Yuri Simoes, the ADCC 2022 Absolute class winner.
Simoes, known for his aggressive and athletic grappling style, presents a different set of challenges for Ryan.
Yuri Simoes has consistently demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest levels, making him a worthy opponent who could capitalize on Ryan’s mistakes.
This match is particularly significant as it pits current champions of different years against each other, offering a unique cross-temporal comparison of skills and tactics.
ADCC World Championship Meaning and History
The ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) World Championship stands as the premier event in submission grappling, widely recognized for showcasing the pinnacle of skill, strategy, and athleticism.
The championship was founded in 1998 by Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
His vision was to create a tournament that would bring together the best grapplers from various martial arts backgrounds, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, judo, sambo, and more, to compete under a unique rule set emphasizing submissions over points.
Evolution and Impact
The ADCC World Championship quickly evolved from a regional competition into a global phenomenon, attracting athletes and spectators worldwide.
Its biennial schedule helps maintain prestige, ensuring that each tournament is highly anticipated.
The rules of ADCC distinguish it from other grappling competitions; points are minimal, and the focus is on submission moves, making matches more dynamic and aggressive.
This approach has influenced the strategies employed in training and competition worldwide, often leading to innovations in grappling techniques.
Cultural and Competitive Significance
Culturally, the ADCC World Championship has played a crucial role in the globalization of grappling sports.
It has broken down barriers between different martial arts disciplines and fostered a spirit of respect and camaraderie among competitors.
It has also been instrumental in promoting martial arts for physical fitness, self-defense, and personal development.
Legacy and Development
Over the years, the championship has expanded to include more weight classes and introduced a women’s division, reflecting growing interest and participation in grappling sports among women.
The ADCC has also become a launching pad for fighters aiming to transition into mixed martial arts (MMA), with many past competitors finding success in larger MMA promotions.
ADCC Scoring and Rules Overview
In the ADCC World Championship, the ultimate goal for competitors is to secure a submission, instantly winning the match.
If a submission isn’t achieved, the outcome is determined by points scored during the match or by a judge’s decision in the case of a tie.
Point Scoring System
The ADCC scoring system is pivotal for guiding competitor strategies during bouts. Here’s how points are allocated for various positions and maneuvers:
- Passing the guard: 3 points
- Knee on stomach: 2 points
- Mount position: 2 points
- Back mount with hooks: 3 points
- Takedown ending in half guard: 2 points
- Sweep ending in half guard: 2 points
- Clean sweep with guard passing: 4 points
- Clean takedown with guard pass: 4 points
Tournament Rules
ADCC’s rules are known for their flexibility compared to other grappling competitions, allowing a variety of techniques and strategies. Here are some key rules:
- Match Duration:
- Qualifying Rounds: Matches last 10 minutes, with an additional 5-minute overtime if there’s a tie.
- World Finals: Regular bouts last 20 minutes with up to two 10-minute overtimes if needed.
- Scoring Times:
- In both qualifying rounds and finals, positive and negative points are counted only in the latter half of the match or during overtime.
- Permitted Techniques:
- Competitors may use any choke except those that block the windpipe directly with the attacking hand.
- Permissible submissions include shoulder locks, armbars, leg attacks, and wrist locks.
- Techniques like the crossface guillotine chin twist are prohibited.
For a detailed overview of all official ADCC rules and regulations, refer to the official ADCC documentation.
Conclusion
As the 2024 ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship nears, excitement builds for this premier event at Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena on August 17-18.
Celebrating the evolution of submission grappling, this year’s championship is especially thrilling with introducing more weight classes and two high-profile super fights.
These bouts, featuring Gordon Ryan against Felipe Pena and Yuri Simoes, are not just contests of strength and skill but narratives rich with rivalry and pursuit of greatness.
