ADCC South American Trials 2026 Results

Eight Gold Medalists Punch Their Tickets to the ADCC 2026 World Championships

The 2nd ADCC South American Trials took place this past weekend in Indaiatuba, São Paulo, Brazil, and the event delivered exactly what the grappling world expected — fierce competition, stunning submissions, and eight new names added to the ADCC 2026 World Championships roster.

Among the standout performers, Mayssa Bastos stole the show with a flawless run through the Women’s 55 kg division, while Gustavo Batista dominated the 88 kg bracket with four submissions in five matches. Rising star Kaua Gabriel also impressed, winning six consecutive matches to take gold at 66 kg.

This was a particularly significant event for women’s grappling. Unlike the 1st South American Trials, which only awarded invites to men, this second edition finally included women’s divisions with full ADCC World Championship invites on the line. Three women — Bastos, Livia Corrêa, and Yara Soares — earned their spots in what promises to be a historic ADCC 2026.

Mayssa Bastos: The Remarkable Little One Eyes ADCC Glory

At just 28 years old, Mayssa Bastos has already cemented herself as one of the greatest female grapplers in the history of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. A 10-time IBJJF world champion across both gi and no-gi, the ONE Championship Atomweight Submission Grappling World Champion has won virtually every major title the sport has to offer.

Every title, that is, except one — the ADCC World Championship.

Bastos is naturally a roosterweight competitor, typically fighting at 48.5 kg in the gi and 46.5 kg in no-gi. The fact that she moved up to the 55 kg division — nearly 15 pounds above her natural weight class — and dominated the field speaks volumes about her technical mastery.

Her path to gold was nothing short of spectacular. Bastos won all four of her matches without conceding a single point to any opponent. Known as “Pequena Notável” (The Remarkable Little One) in Brazilian media, she lived up to her nickname by shutting down every challenger with her signature blend of aggressive guard work and relentless pressure.

This marks her second ADCC trials title, having previously won the 2022 South American Trials at 60 kg. With her spot now secured for the ADCC 2026 World Championships in Krakow, Poland, Bastos will have the opportunity to chase the one major championship that has eluded her decorated career.

Gustavo Batista Steamrolls 88 kg Division With Submission Spree

If Bastos’ performance was defined by defensive perfection, Gustavo Batista’s run through the 88 kg division was all about offensive firepower. The BJJ world champion — a black belt under the late Leandro Lo who now represents Atos Jiu-Jitsu — put on a submission clinic that left the crowd in awe.

Batista secured four submissions in five victories, dispatching high-level opponents including veteran Magid Hage and the dangerous Charles Negromonte, who finished as the division’s silver medalist. His ability to finish matches from virtually any position showcased the kind of well-rounded no-gi game that makes him a genuine threat at the ADCC World Championships.

Now 30 years old and in the prime of his career, Batista has the opportunity to honor the legacy of his late coach Leandro Lo on the biggest stage in submission grappling. His combination of technical precision, physical attributes, and killer instinct makes him one of the most intriguing qualifiers heading into ADCC 2026.

Kaua Gabriel and the Melqui Galvão Connection

Another major storyline from the 2nd South American Trials was the dominant showing by athletes from Melqui Galvão’s gym. The Manaus-based academy — already renowned for producing ADCC champion Diogo “Baby Shark” Reis — had three team members earn ADCC 2026 invites from this single event.

Leading the charge was Kaua Gabriel, who tore through a stacked 66 kg bracket with an impressive six match wins. The young black belt, who was promoted by Galvão himself in 2023, has been knocking on the ADCC door for years, having made the finals of multiple previous South American Trials. This time, there would be no silver medal — Gabriel finally claimed gold and the World Championship invite he’s been chasing.

Training daily alongside elite teammates like Diogo Reis, Gabriel has developed a well-rounded grappling style that blends BJJ with elements of luta livre and judo. His youth, athleticism, and competition experience make him a dark horse contender at ADCC 2026, and he’ll have the full support of one of the most successful competition teams in modern grappling behind him.

Men’s Division Results: New Talent Rises Across All Weight Classes

Beyond the headline performers, the men’s divisions produced several notable results that will shape the ADCC 2026 landscape.

在 77 kg, Alexandre Joaquim De Jesus — known as “Robinho” in grappling circles — earned his gold medal with an impressive display of technical grappling. The Claudio Calasans black belt went the distance in four matches and finished two opponents via submission, proving he belongs among the sport’s elite middleweights.

Vinicius Lessa took gold at 99 kg, continuing his rise as one of the most dangerous no-gi grapplers in the heavier weight classes. A Claudio Calasans black belt known for his relentless pressure passing and aggressive leg lock game, Lessa has been steadily building his reputation on the international grappling circuit and now gets his chance to test himself against the world’s best.

In the super heavyweight (+99 kg) division, Pedro Lucas Soares Ribeiro powered his way to gold, earning his spot among the biggest and most powerful grapplers who will converge on Krakow later this year.

Women’s Division Highlights: A Historic Day for Female Grapplers

The inclusion of women’s divisions at the 2nd South American Trials was a watershed moment for female grappling. While the 1st South American Trials only awarded World Championship invites to men, this edition gave female competitors the platform they deserved.

Beyond Bastos’ dominant run at 55 kg, Livia Barasine Corrêa earned gold at Women’s 65 kg, defeating Vitoria Vieira in the final. And Yara Soares claimed the Women’s +65 kg title, overcoming Ingridd Sousa to secure her ADCC World Championship invite.

All three women will now have the opportunity to compete on the grandest stage in submission grappling when the ADCC 2026 World Championships take place in Krakow, Poland.

YouTube: ADCC 2026 Trials Highlights

Check out some of the best submissions from the ADCC 2026 Trials season:

2nd ADCC South American Trials 2026: Complete Results

Here are the full results from all eight weight divisions at the 2nd ADCC South American Trials, held in Indaiatuba, São Paulo, Brazil on March 22, 2026:

66 kg

• 🥇 Gold: Kaua Gabriel
• 🥈 Silver: Victor Delibero
• 🥉 Bronze: Felipe Machado

77 kg

• 🥇 Gold: Alexandre Joaquim De Jesus
• 🥈 Silver: Guilherme Souza
• 🥉 Bronze: Martin Abeal

88 kg

• 🥇 Gold: Gustavo Batista
• 🥈 Silver: Charles Negromonte
• 🥉 Bronze: Vitor Pantoja De Oliveira

99 kg

• 🥇 Gold: Vinicius Lessa
• 🥈 Silver: Jose Inacio Dos Santos
• 🥉 Bronze: Jardel De Oliveira Costa

+99 kg

• 🥇 Gold: Pedro Lucas Soares Ribeiro
• 🥈 Silver: Jhonatan Lopes
• 🥉 Bronze: Pedro Alex Pimenta

Women’s 55 kg

• 🥇 Gold: Mayssa Bastos
• 🥈 Silver: Caroline Vinhaes
• 🥉 Bronze: Evellyn Monte De Azevedo

Women’s 65 kg

• 🥇 Gold: Livia Barasine Corrêa
• 🥈 Silver: Vitoria Vieira
• 🥉 Bronze: Nadine Tavares Da Silva

Women’s +65 kg

• 🥇 Gold: Yara Soares
• 🥈 Silver: Ingridd Sousa
• 🥉 Bronze: Cecilia Constanza Gajardo Bucarey

What This Means for ADCC 2026

With the South American Trials now complete, the ADCC 2026 World Championships roster continues to take shape. The event is scheduled for September 2026 at the 22,000-seat Tauron Arena in Krakow, Poland — marking ADCC’s return to Europe for the first time since 2017.

The eight new qualifiers from Brazil join an increasingly stacked field that includes winners from the European Trials, East Coast Trials, West Coast Trials, and other regional qualifiers held throughout 2025 and 2026. With invited athletes and remaining trials still to come, the ADCC 2026 World Championships are shaping up to be the most competitive edition in the event’s storied history.

For Mayssa Bastos, the road to completing her collection of major championships runs through Krakow. For Gustavo Batista, it’s a chance to honor his late coach on the world’s biggest stage. And for Kaua Gabriel and the rest of the Melqui Galvão team, it’s the opportunity to prove that their academy is producing the future of submission grappling.

One thing is certain — the 2nd ADCC South American Trials 2026 has set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable World Championship. Stay tuned to 台北柔術 for continued coverage of ADCC 2026 and the latest in Brazilian jiu-jitsu news.

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