ADWG 2025: Professionals become champions in the tournament's debut

August 3, 2025

Held between August 1st and 3rd, the Abu Dhabi World Grappling took over the ADNEC Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates and made an incredible debut in the AJP's calendar, welcoming tough athletes from all backgrounds to bring another memorable tournament for fight fans and to show the effectiveness of their martial arts in a rule set that favors aggressiveness above all else. With 2000 global ranking points on the line for each of the champions, the competitors spared no effort to reach the top of the podium.

Coming as the highlight of the event, the 18+ Professional category dialed the action all the way up to eleven and made the tournament even more of a show, with two-time ADXC champion Pouya Rahmani using his well-known pressure to add another accolade to his name, Anabel Lopez overcoming four opponents on her way to the title, and Magomed Shakhbanov showing his technique and grit to take the gold medal. Check out below how each of the 18+ Professional brackets went down, and click here for the full results!

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65kg - Magomed Shakhbanov vs Guilherme Balieiro

An ADGP Moscow champion, the Russian star Magomed Shakhbanov once again proved his skills and got the top spot on the podium. After kicking off his participation in the 65kg division with a submission win over Salim Alnuaimi, Magomed advanced to the quarters and got the win over AJP veteran Yuri Hendrex, with the duel ending in a medical stoppage after the latter sustained an injury due to a takedown. Magomed got another sub in the semifinal against Oliwier Przerwa and then reached the gold round, taking the title via unanimous decision after a very well-balanced duel against brazilian prospect Guilherme Balieiro.

75kg - Nikolay Vetrov vs Julio Martins

Also coming from a golden campaign in the ADGP Moscow, the Russian Nikolay Vetrov became champion once again after beating five opponents back-to-back in the 75kg division. Starting off with submission wins over Francisco Souza and Luis Seabra Junior, Nikolay defeated two more foes before entering the final, beating Efgan Galoev and Ilyas Dzhigistaev via unanimous decision to advance in the bracket. For his last match, Nikolay went up against Julio Martins in another action-packed fight and took the gold with a submission in the third and final round of the bout.

85kg - Pawel Jaworski vs Magomed Djarbaev

Representing Poland, Pawel Jaworski made an impressive campaign and got the 85kg division gold medal. Showing his skills from the get-go, Pawel landed a quick submission over Uanderson Ferreira and then got another one against Matheus Ferreira to reach the semifinal, in which he beat ADXC veteran Islam Mamilov via unanimous decision. In the final, Pawel went up against Magomed Djarbaev in a duel that remained balanced throughout all three rounds, with the judges deciding that the Polish athlete was more effective and unanimously giving him the win.

95kg - Roberto Dib Frias vs Rasul Abdulvadudov

Coming from the country down under, the Australian based Roberto Dib Frias had his skills on full display as he conquered the 95kg division. Kicking off his campaign with submission wins over Ilya Poyarkov and Saeed Albedwawi, Roberto went on to beat Khamzat Akhmetov via disqualification and then beat Fellipe Andrew via decision to secure his spot in the fight for the gold. The final saw Roberto go up against Rasul Abdulvadudov in a cerebral duel, with Roberto having a clear advantage throughout and emerging victorious via unanimous decision.

125kg - Pouya Rahmani vs Haisam Rida

The Iranian strongman Pouya Rahmani used his power-based wrestling and defeated all his opponents in the 125kg division. Starting his campaign with a decision win over Anton Dmitrakov, Pouya advanced in the bracket and did it again in the semifinal, using his strength and stamina to convince the judges and beat Umar Gaisumov. Entering the final against the dangerous Haisam Rida, who came from a submission victory against the German powerhouse Alexander Sak in the semis, Pouya put on a more dominating display, controlling his opponent throughout all three rounds and getting the top spot on the podium with a unanimous decision.

WOMEN

55kg - Caroline Vinhaes vs Liisi Vaht

Fighting out of Brazil, Carol Brunácio became the 55kg champion after three memorable battles. After locking an ankle lock on Juliana Moraes in her first match, Caroline reached the semifinal and got the win over Mariia Klein via split decision after an incredibly balanced duel. With another very close match taking place in the final, Caroline clashed with Liisi Vaht during the entirety of the duel, but this time was effective enough to convince all of the judges and took the title via unanimous decision.

65kg - Olesia Zhuravleva vs Zara Di Tofano

The Russian Olesia Zhuravleva used her technical prowess and reached the top spot on the podium after a great campaign in the 65kg division. Locking a quick rear-naked choke on Elen Tito in her opening match, Olesia advanced in the bracket and got a decision win over Anastasiia Hnidko in the semifinal, making her way to the gold round to face Zara Di Tofano. Coming in hot after landing a heel hook on Rafaela Bertolot on her side of the bracket, Zara reached the final ready to show her skills once again, but Olesia had different plans and, after briefly assessing her opponent, launched her winning attack, locking the submission still in the first round to rise as a champion.

95kg - Anabel Beard vs Eleftheria Christodoulou

The 95kg division gold medal went to the Spaniard Anabel Lopez, who got the better of four opponents on her way up the bracket. Starting in the eight-finals, Anabel got the submission against Andreyna Rocha and then went on to get decision wins against Anna Remneva and Jamile Lima to save her spot in the gold round. Facing the Greek powerhouse Eleftheria Christodoulou in the final match, Anabel saw herself locked in one of the toughest duels in the competition, with both sides showing pretty even performances during all three rounds until the clock ran out. At the end of it all, a split decision victory was Anabel's way to the top of the podium.