ADWPJJC 2024: Professional black belts rise as Heroes in Abu Dhabi

November 16, 2024

After eleven days of competition, the sixteenth edition of the ADWPJJC is concluded. The competition began last week, on November 6th, and brought powerhouses of all ages and graduations to the Mubadala Arena, in the UAE. With 4000 global ranking points up for grabs and some of the most talented athletes in the sport showing their best performances in the Jiu-Jitsu capital of the world, the tournament was another show of mettle and technique.

Taking place this Saturday, November 16th, the last day of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024 brought the Professional black belts back to fight for the title in their respective weight divisions. Check out how each of the finals played out below, and click here for the full results.

MEN'S GI / PROFESSIONAL / BLACK

56kg - Thalison Soares vs Zayed Alkatheeri

After a very balanced duel, Thalison Soares got the better of Zayed Alkatheeri in the 56kg final. When the match began, Zayed immediately pulled guard and kept the Brazilian on his toes as he tried to find enough room to land a sweep. After each side got three penalties for lack of combativeness and the match was restarted with both athletes standing, Thalison pulled, got tangled with Zayed in the 50/50 guard, and, with 30 seconds to end the duel, swept and took the lead on the scoreboard, controlling from the top to take the win by 8-6.

62kg - Jefferson Fagundes vs Khaled Alshehhi

Representing PSLPB Cícero Costha, Jefferson Fagundes defeated Khaled Alshehhi and became the 62kg division champion. With each side receiving three penalties for not rising from the double pull, the match was restarted and another double pull ensued, with Jefferson going up and breaking the tie at 7-6. With a very dangerous guard, Khaled proceeded to work his game on Jefferson, trying to destabilize his opponent and even attacking on the foot. Despite his opponent's efforts, Jefferson managed to keep his balance and controlled the match until the very end to emerge victorious with his 7-6 score.

69kg - Thiago Macedo vs Mohamed Alsuwaidi

A narrow win brought Thiago Macedo his first ADWPJJC title in the Professional category. Facing the Emirati Mohammed Alsuwaidi, Thiago started the match working from the top, with Mohammed trying to sweep and then attacking with a triangle to open the scoreboard at 1-0. After both athletes stood up, Thiago pulled and almost managed to go up, tying the score at 1-1 for the attempt. Mohammed stayed active throughout the match, spinning on top and trying to take the back, but Thiago defended all advances and made another dangerous sweep attempt in the final moments to close the match at 2-1 and take the title.

77kg - Lucas Protasio vs Pedro Ramalho

The 77kg division gold medal was decided in the early moments of the final round. Facing last year's ADWPJJC champion Pedro "Paquito" Ramalho, the Brazilian Lucas Protasio kicked off the last match by pulling and sweeping to open the scoreboard at 2-0. Playing guard, Pedro didn't take long to start his attacks, deftly moving to sweep and trying to destabilize his opponent, but Lucas used his pressure to avoid the attacks and maintained control until the end, taking the top spot on the podium by 2-0.

85kg - Uanderson Ferreira vs William Dias

The Brazilian Uanderson Ferreira added another high-profile title to his name this Saturday. After a double penalty for lack of combativeness, Uanderson attempted a takedown, but his opponent William Dias countered and put the Brazilian with his back on the ground, taking the lead with a 3-1 score. With an open guard, Uanderson positioned himself and isolated William's leg before sweeping and tying the score at 3-3. While William attempted to sweep back and Uanderson tried to stay in control from the top, both athletes ended up penalized again, putting the score at 5-5. With the last points scored coming from a penalty, the duel went to the Golden Score, with neither athlete managing to land another point in the additional minute of combat. After it was all said and done, the referees decided that Uanderson was more effective throughout the match and gave him the victory. After the announcement, a joyful Uanderson celebrated his title with a backflip while the crowd cheered.

94kg - Fellipe Andrew vs Roberto Dib Frias

After conquering the ADWPJJC 2023's 94kg division, Fellipe Andrew did it again by defeating Roberto Dib Frias in this year's final. After pulling and sweeping at the beginning of the match, Fellipe used his pressure to pass, but Roberto defended and both athletes stood up. Fellipe pulled again, swept, and hit the side to put the scoreboard at 5-0, before passing and putting his knee on Roberto's stomach to end the match at 9-0 and take the title.

120kg - Felipe Bezerra vs Anton Seleznev

Felipe Bezerra once again reigns over the heaviest division. Facing the Russian Anton Seleznev in the final, Felipe saw his opponent pull guard before using a sweep attempt to pass the guard, opening the score with three points. Anton shifted to the turtle position and got up, with Felipe taking another point for a takedown attempt. Anton pulled to the closed guard and tried to attack the leg, but the Brazilian used his strength to maintain the pressure and, in the final moments of the bout, hit the north-south position to get his final point, closing the duel at 5-0 and taking the title.

WOMAN'S GI / PROFESSIONAL / BROWN / BLACK

49kg - Grasielle Brandão vs Sonia Ariz

With a lot of takedown attempts, the 49kg division final saw the Brazilian Grasielle Brandão beat Spain's Sonia Ariz for the title. From the get-go, Grasielle tried to put her opponent on the ground with a seoi nage, but Sonia defended. Grasielle attacked with another seoi nage, this time almost getting the takedown and earning one point for the attempt. After both athletes received a penalty for lack of combativeness, Sonia tried to take Grasielle down with an ouchi gari, but the Brazilian managed to avoid the movement. Sonia pulled in the final moments, and Grasielle tried to pass the guard, but the clock ran out and the Brazilian took the win by 2-1.

55kg - Maria Luisa Delahaye vs Asma Alhosani

Representing Commando Group, Maria Luisa Delahaye conquered the 55kg division title. Facing the UAE's Asma Alhosani in the final, Maria started the match by pulling and sweeping to open the scoreboard at 2-0. Working from the bottom with very tight grips, Asma showed her prowess as she moved to try and take the back before shifting to a foot attack. Maria managed to avoid all the advances, using her pressure to control the match from the top. In the last stretch of the duel, Asma tried to land a leglock, but Maria defended and let the clock run out to take the win by 2-0.

62kg - Sarah Galvão vs Tamara Toros

The talented Sarah Galvão reached another milestone in her short time as a brown belt and conquered the coveted ADWPJJC title. Facing Tamara Toros for the 62kg gold medal, Sarah started by pulling guard, attacking with a triangle before sweeping and opening the scoreboard at 2-0. With a lot of pressure from the top, Sarah gained another point for almost passing and, in the final moments, tried to go from the guard straight to a mount, earning two more points and ending the match at 5-0.

70kg - Lilian Marchand vs Sabatha Lais

Hailing from Canada, Lilian Marchand defeated Brazil's Sabatha Lais and conquered the 70kg division in this year's ADWPJJC. With a lot of pressure on top, Lilian managed to avoid Sabatha's sweep attempts and, after the athletes stood up, pulled guard and unleashed many attacks on her opponent. Sabatha managed to stay safe for the most part, but Lilian tipped the scales with an arm attack, gaining one point for the attempt and beating the Brazilian for the top spot on the podium.

95kg - Yara Nascimento vs Leticia dos Santos

The 95kg division saw Yara Nascimento and Leticia dos Santos going toe-to-toe for the title. With Yara pulling in the beginning, the athletes exchanged sweeps and the scoreboard sat at 4-2 for Yara, who got another point for almost passing and, later on, landed another sweep to widen her advantage. With a 7-2 score, Yara Nascimento beat Leticia dos Santos and added another gold medal to her collection.