ADGP Moscow 2025: Check out the Professionals that took the gold in the tournament's debut

April 20, 2025

Adding to the AJP's circuit, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Grappling World Tour Moscow landed at the Sambo 70 in the Russian capital this Sunday, April 20th, Bringing the organization's action in a new format for fight fans to enjoy. Not limited to just Jiu-Jitsu athletes, the competition offers a wider scope for athletes looking to test their skills and welcomes all Grappling martial artists equally to fight for glory within the organization, with 2000 global rankings points offered for each of the champions.

A brand-new addition to the AJP calendar, the ADGP is driven by a unique and dynamic rule set that focuses on effectiveness and fight area control, switching the usual Jiu-Jitsu point system for a 10-point system scored between three judges, emphasizing not only dominance on the mats but also aggressiveness as each match can end only via submission or decision. With three rounds of three minutes in each bout, the tournament keeps its athletes on their toes and the action high throughout every battle.

Highlighting the ADGP's debut edition in Moscow, the Professional category featured many memorable battles in its weight classes as local powerhouses fought tooth and nail to take the top spot on the podium. Check out below the champions of the +18 divisions, and click here for the full results.

MEN

65kg - Magomed Shakhbanov vs Aleksey Velichko

Joining a stacked bracket to fight for the 65kg gold, Magomed Shakhbanov had to overcome four opponents to become the champion. After beating Ali Abasov, Said-Khasan Kagirhadzhiev, and Nurbolat Aliyev via decision as he advanced through the bracket, Magomed went up against Aleksey Velichko in the final match, using his technical prowess to control the match across all three rounds and taking the win via unanimous decision.

75kg - Nikolai Vetrov vs Gairbeg Ibragimov

Nikolai Vetrov became the 75kg champion after an incredible campaign in the first-ever ADGGP. After beating Ilyas Dzhigistaev via unanimous decision, Nikolai cranked up the action and proceeded to defeat both Gregory Shulga and Salahuddin Pazetnov via submission to save his spot in the final. Facing Gairbeg Ibragimov in the gold round, Nikolai once again put his lethal ground game to work and locked a tight heel hook in the first round to emerge victorious from the bracket.

85kg - Magomed Djarbaev vs Davud Magomedov

The 85kg division title went to Magomed Djarbaev, who proved his grappling skills as he overcame every opponent in his path to the final. Starting in the eighth-finals, Magomed first landed decision wins over Alexander Yarovoy and Amirhan Gitinomagomedov before submitting Ramazan Shihshabekov in the semis. On the other side of the bracket, Davud Magomedov climbed the bracket with incredible efficiency, submitting Malik Ramaldanov, Iurii Kuznetsov, and Gaziev Gazimagomed to reach the final round. When the time came to fight, however, Davud was unable to compete and Magomed took the title via forfeit.

95kg - Ilya Poyarkov vs Tamerlan Eslemesov

Ilya Poyarkov got the 95kg title after a very challenging bracket in the 95kg division. With a submission win over Asger Asgerov and a decision one against Magomed Gazimagomedov, Ilya showcased his talent once again in the semifinal as he submitted Arsenii Ermakov to fight for the gold. On the other side, the AJP veteran and #1 grappler in the global rankings Tamerlan Eslemesov made his way up to the gold round, beating both Ivan Telnov and Marat Gafurov via decision. In the final, however, Tamerlan was unable to compete and Ilya rose as the division champion via forfeit.

125kg - Eldar Malicovich vs Said Avturkhanov

Submitting two out of his three opponents, Eldar Malicovich conquered the 125kg division and took the title home. Starting in the quarters, Eldar first submitted Umar Gaisumov and then beat Artur Gareev via unanimous decision to fight for the gold against Said Avturkhanov, who reached the final with a submission win. With both sides decided to go all-out, the athletes clashed fiercely in the gold round and Eldar didn't waste any time, spinning to the back and then attacking with a vicious leglock in the first round to climb the podium.

WOMEN

55kg - Alina Kopeikina vs Sofya Samsonova

The 55kg division gold went to Alina Kopeikina, who started her campaign in the bracket by locking a kimura on Kelly Vale to advance to the semifinal. She followed that with a dominant win over Mane Vardanyan and saved her spot in the final, set to fight for the title against Sofya Samsonova, who rose to the last match after submitting Olga Cercek in the other semifinal. With the title on the line, Alina once again showed her technical prowess as she passed the guard, mounted, and locked the winning katagatame in the very first round of the match to become the division champion.

65kg - Olesia Zhuravleva vs Aleksandra Kozlova

Olesia Zhuravleva rose to the top spot on the podium after beating every one of her opponents in the 65kg division. After opening the bracket with a decision win over Alsu Yanshina, Olesia made her way to the semis and submitted Alisa Agliullina to guarantee her spot in the fight for the gold, with Aleksandra Kozlova occupying the remaining spot after landing a submission on Alina Pereslavceva. The gold round started off with a balanced match as neither side managed to fully succeed in any of their attacks, but Olesia tipped the scales in the second round and took her opponent's back to quickly lock a choke and take the title.

95kg - Aleksandra Plemiashova vs Tatyana Aleksandrova

The 95kg division title went to Aleksandra Plemiashova, who started her campaign with a unanimous decision win over Anastasiia Glotova in the quarterfinals before narrowly defeating AJP veteran Anna Remneva via split decision in the semis. Entering the final against Tatyana Aleksandrova, who advanced after beating Anna Chmutova via unanimous decision, Aleksandra put the pedal to the metal and didn't take long to overwhelm her opponent, locking a winning heel hook in the first round to become a champion in Moscow.