We take a look at key rivals to keep watch over on the 2024 IBJJF No-Gi Pans, which takes place this weekend in Fort Price, Texas.
The IBJJF no-gi season is now in full swing, and subsequent up is the 2024 IBJJF No-Gi Pans. The occasion takes place on November 1-3, 2024 in Fort Price, Texas, with grownup black belts competing on Saturday and Sunday.
As typical, the occasion will draw loads of elite rivals from around the globe. Earlier than the motion will get underway, we dive into seven athletes followers ought to keep watch over this weekend.
View the total lineup of rivals at all ages and belt stage here.
Sophia Cassella
Nonetheless just some weeks into her black belt profession, New Jersey native Sophia Cassella may make waves within the light-feather division.
An EBI strawweight champion recognized for her elite leg-locking sport, Cassella has been a mainstay of the no-gi competitors scene for a number of years. She made her IBJJF black belt debut only one week after being promoted and promptly lived as much as the lofty expectations surrounding her, going 1-1 in opposition to embellished veteran Amanda “Tubby” Alequin on the Cleveland Open.
Cassella may face stiff competitors within the type of AoJ standout Shelby Murphey however actually has all the abilities to make a direct impression on the black belt stage.
Elisabeth Clay
Within the heavyweight division, multiple-time IBJJF No-Gi Worlds and Pans champion Elisabeth Clay will return to motion lower than three months after giving start to her first youngster.
Earlier than taking a go away of absence from competitors as a consequence of being pregnant, Clay had firmly established herself as one of many sport’s high pound-for-pound submission hunters. Famend for her seemingly impassable guard and world-class leg locks, she is an ADCC veteran and Polaris Grand Prix champion who boasts victories over ADCC champions Ffion Davies and Amy Campo, in addition to no-gi world champions Luiza Monteiro and Brianna Ste-Marie.
Merely put, Clay is likely one of the most achieved grapplers on the circuit right now, and her return to competitors is critical.
Clay can stay up for a possible showdown with ADCC Trials winner and 2023 IBJJF No-Gi Worlds champion Elizabeth Mitrovic.
Paige Ivette
New Legion AJJ black belt Paige Ivette will make her much-anticipated black belt debut within the super-heavyweight division.
A brown belt no-gi world champion who is not any stranger to competing in opposition to elite black belts, Ivette employs her pure athleticism and relentless guard passing sport to drown her opponents with stress. Whereas she’s been largely away from competitors for the previous 12 months, she stands to make a press release on the 2024 IBJJF No-Gi Pans.
She might be competing in a four-woman division, and despite the fact that she won’t be the sector’s high seed, she is probably going the odds-on favourite to take dwelling gold.
Junny Ocasio
Unity Jiu-Jitsu consultant Junny Ocasio will look to increase his unimaginable run of dominance within the light-featherweight division as he goals for his second straight No-Gi Pans gold.
A grasp technician with one of many sport’s most dynamic and harmful guard video games, Ocasio received gold on the 2023 IBJJF No-Gi Euros, Pans, and Worlds to say himself as a pound-for-pound contender. He has continued his success into 2024, profitable gold on the 2024 IBJJF No-Gi Euros.
Followers of inventive leg locks received’t wish to miss any of Ocasio’s matches. Along with his deep repertoire of heel hooks and Aoki locks, he’s made a reputation for himself along with his trademark “Junny lock,” in addition to his brutal Z-lock.
Cole Abate
Lengthy acknowledged as the game’s high younger prospect, Artwork of Jiu-Jitsu phenom Cole Abate will make his long-awaited black belt debut at an IBJJF no-gi main this weekend, as he’s set to compete within the talent-stacked featherweight division.
Abate is an ADCC Trials winner boasting victories over the likes of Geo Martinez, Keith Krikorian, and Sam McNally. He’s an extremely well-rounded grappler who has proven a penchant for locating the leg-lock end and will definitely have a goal on his again on the No-Gi Pans.
Importantly, the 19-year-old will face top-tier competitors within the featherweight division. He can stay up for potential clashes in opposition to multiple-time No-Gi Pans champion Gianni Grippo, Tom DeBlass black belt Cam Mellott, and no-gi Brasileiros champion Ismael Santos, amongst others.
Luiz Paulo
Within the loaded males’s middleweight division, followers ought to keep watch over Brazilian submission hunter Luiz Paulo.
After arising beneath longtime coach Melqui Galvao, Paulo joined Dream Artwork in late 2023 and has seemed nice ever since, profitable the ADCC South American Trials with victories over ADCC and CJI veteran Magid Hage, brown belt world champion Fabyury Khrysthyan, and veteran black belt Fabio Caloi.
Paulo is a superb guard participant who likes to put a tireless tempo on his opponents, making him one of many division’s most fun rivals.
Jacob Sofa
Lastly, within the medium-heavyweight division, look ahead to ADCC veteran Jacob “The Hillbilly Hammer” Couch to make waves.
The Pedigo Submission Combating product ranks among the many sport’s most harmful leg lockers – a talent set he enhances with a world-class closed guard. Sofa took third finally 12 months’s No-Gi Pans and he’s undoubtedly hungry to win his first IBJJF main on the black belt stage.
Amongst Sofa’s potential opponents are ADCC veterans Jon Blank and Jeremy Skinner, along with no-gi world champion Sebastian Rodriguez and rising star Harrison Woods.
How you can watch: The 2024 IBJJF No-Gi Pans happen on November 1-3, 2024 in Fort Price, Texas, and can air dwell on FloGrappling (subscription required).
