The 2024 ADCC World Championships happen on August 17-18 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Grappling Insider shall be previewing each division on the occasion.
Out of each male division at ADCC 2024, the 66kg division is the one one to see no roster modifications on account of the Craig Jones Invitational. Because of this, an already robust 66kg division seems to be to be probably the most compelling and talent-laden of your complete occasion.
Whereas the division boasts returning champion Diogo “Baby Shark” Reis together with a number of revered ADCC veterans and medalists, there is no such thing as a clear-cut favourite to take residence gold at 66kg – and any variety of lesser-known athletes might play the a part of spoiler on their option to the rostrum.
Merely put, the 66kg division at ADCC 2024 represents the head of no-gi grappling. Earlier than we dive into the bracket’s favorites, contenders, and darkish horses, take a look at the total record of rivals beneath. View the total roster of athletes competing in each division at ADCC 2024 here.
Males’s 66kg
- Diogo Reis (returning champion)
- Owen Jones (1st European Trials winner)
- Gairbeg Ibragimov (2nd European Trials winner)
- Dorian Olivarez (East Coast Trials winner)
- Ethan Thomas (1st Asia & Oceania Trials winner)
- Kennedy Maciel (1st South American Trials winner)
- Fabricio Andrey (2nd South American Trials winner)
- Ethan Crelinsten (invite)
- Deandre Corbe (West Coast Trials winner)
- Kaua Gabriel (invite)
- Gabriel Sousa (invite)
- Ash Williams (invite)
- Josh Cisneros (invite)
- Keith Krikorian (invite)
- Xu Huaiqing (2nd Asia & Oceania Trials Winner)
- Diego “Pato” Oliveira (invite)
Favorites: Diogo Reis, Diego “Pato” Oliveira, Kennedy Maciel
A trio of embellished Brazilians make up the division’s early favorites.
Maybe the obvious favourite is returning champion Reis, who will undoubtedly be given the highest seed, paving his means deep into the bracket. An elite takedown artist with a knack for locating the again at a second’s discover, Reis possesses the well-rounded talent set and tactical consciousness to take residence gold for the second time. Notably, although, he has competed sometimes in 2024 after struggling an harm in his 2023 Who’s Quantity One title loss in opposition to fellow ADCC competitor Diego “Pato” Oliveira.
For his half, “Pato” is arguably the planet’s prime pound-for-pound grappler in the meanwhile and he’ll come into ADCC 2024 with loads of momentum. The Artwork of Jiu-Jitsu consultant is an outstanding leg locker, boasting latest no-gi victories over Dante Leon and Fabricio Andrey whereas wanting completely dominant in gi competitors, as nicely. If “Pato” has a weak spot, it’s his wrestling, however he has undoubtedly labored laborious to enhance his takedowns as he prepares for a gold-medal run at ADCC 2024.
Lastly, 2019 ADCC silver medalist Kennedy Maciel shall be a critical favourite to make it to the division’s ultimate. After falling to “Pato” at ADCC 2022 through z-lock, Maciel has proven marked enhancements in his leg lock protection, profitable South American Trials and going almost undefeated in gi competitors to date in 2024.
Contenders: Gabriel Sousa, Josh Cisneros, Ethan Crelinsten
Along with the favorites, three extra athletes stand to make waves at 66kg.
First amongst them is 2022 ADCC silver medal winner Gabriel Sousa. The Brazilian lately got here up brief in his ONE world title bid in opposition to former foe Mikey Musumeci however possesses a cagey, wrestling-and-scramble-heavy type of grappling that’s tailored for ADCC competitors. He’s extremely troublesome to attain on, and, if he’s capable of keep out of submission bother, is a tricky buyer for any athlete within the division.
Followers will even need to control 2022 ADCC fourth-place finisher Josh Cisneros. The American is an explosive athlete, a gifted wrestler, and boasts a difficult “black gap” assault from the highest place that makes him a authentic risk to make it to the rostrum.
Additionally, long-time veteran Ethan Crelinsten ought to by no means be counted out. The B-Group product is well-versed below the ADCC rule set and rivals “Child Shark” because the division’s most harmful back-taker. And, with wins over fellow 66kg rivals Keith Krikorian, Deandre Corbe, and Fabricio Andrey, he’ll certainly be coming into ADCC 2024 loaded with confidence.
Darkish horses: Keith Krikorian, Deandre Corbe, Dorian Olivarez
In a division that appears to be vast open, there’s no scarcity of potential darkish horses and disruptors.
First, tenth Planet standout Keith Krikorian is getting into his third straight ADCC World Championship, making him one of many bracket’s most skilled rivals. A harmful submission hunter from virtually any place, he’s confirmed to be lots able to taking out the world’s finest when he’s on the prime of his sport.
One other potential darkish horse is Customary Jiu-Jitsu’s Deandre Corbe. The well-rounded black belt shined on the ADCC West Coast Trials, defeating Krikorian within the ultimate to ascertain himself as an undeniably elite expertise.
Lastly, teenage phenom Dorian Olivarez is a real wild card within the division. Whereas he’s nonetheless comparatively brief on submission grappling expertise, the nationwide champion wrestler showcased an limitless fuel tank and beat various extra established rivals on his option to profitable gold on the ADCC East Coast Trials. Below the ADCC rule set, he has all the flexibility to make waves but once more.
watch: The 2024 ADCC World Championships happen on August 17-18 and can air stay on FloGrappling (subscription required).
