The upcoming IBJJF calendar is heating up with the confirmation of several elite black belt entries, promising thrilling matchups and high-stakes competition across gi and no-gi events. Among the top-tier competitors set to grace the mats, Thalison Vitorino Soares leads the charge, confirming his participation in the Pan Pacific IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026 in Melbourne.
Thalison Soares Eyes Pan Pacific Gold
Thalison Vitorino Soares, representing AOJ, is slated to compete in the Black / Adult / Male / Light-Feather division at the Pan Pacific IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship on October 17, 2026. Soares enters the prestigious event with an impressive resume, boasting an Elo rating of 1609 and ranked #111 globally. His career highlights include 49 gold medals and a total of 63 medals, underscoring his consistent success at the highest levels of the sport.
A World Champion in 2022 and a Pan Champion in 2024, Soares has a proven track record in major IBJJF competitions. He has previously claimed the Pan Pacific IBJJF Championship title in both 2019 and 2023, demonstrating his familiarity and success in this specific event. Earlier this year, Soares showcased his prowess at the 2026 World IBJJF Championship, securing a second-place finish in the Roosterweight division. Known for his dynamic style, including effective berimbolo setups and potent footlock submissions, Soares's presence in the light-featherweight bracket is sure to draw significant attention and will undoubtedly present a formidable challenge to his opponents.
Helena Crevar Dominates No-Gi Scene
Shifting to the no-gi landscape, Helena Crevar has confirmed her entry into the Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2026, scheduled for October 2, 2026, at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus. Crevar, competing in the Black / Adult / Female / Super-Heavy division under the Kingsway Jiu Jitsu banner, is a phenomenal talent with an Elo rating of 1590 and is ranked #128. Her career boasts an astounding 54 gold medals out of 56 total medals, reflecting a near-perfect winning record in her gold medal matches.
Crevar has been on a meteoric rise in the grappling world, recently cementing her status as the #1 pound-for-pound women's no-gi grappler globally since September 2025. Her 2026 has been particularly remarkable, highlighted by a gold medal victory in the women's +65 kg division at the ADCC World Championship, where she also made history as the youngest-ever ADCC gold medalist at just 19 years old. Prior to this, she earned a silver medal at the 2024 ADCC World Championship at the age of 17, making her the youngest ADCC podium placer. In her black belt no-gi debut at the 2025 IBJJF No-Gi World Championship, Crevar delivered a flawless performance, winning the medium-heavyweight title with all submission victories. Her recent victories also include gold at the Jiu-Jitsu CON No-Gi 2026 in the Super Heavy division and the American National IBJJF No-Gi 2026 in Heavy. Her entry into the Pan No-Gi Super-Heavy division promises an electrifying performance from one of the sport's most dominant forces.
Maria Malyjasiak Continues No-Gi Campaign
Also making her presence felt in the no-gi circuit is Maria Malgorzata Malyjasiak, who has entered the New Jersey Fall International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2026. Competing in the Black / Adult / Female / Medium-Heavy division on November 21, 2026, in Secaucus, Malyjasiak brings a wealth of experience and a formidable record. Representing Abmar Barbosa Association, she holds an Elo rating of 1571 and is ranked #149, with an impressive 53 career golds and 91 total medals.
Malyjasiak, a Polish Judoka and accomplished BJJ black belt, has consistently medaled at major IBJJF events in both gi and no-gi. Her achievements include multiple Pan American titles in gi (2018, 2021, 2022) and no-gi (2018, 2021), as well as a European Open Championship in 2023. In 2026, she has already secured a third-place finish at Jiu-Jitsu CON No-Gi in the Medium Heavy division and a first-place finish at the New York Summer International Open IBJJF No-Gi in the Heavy division. Her consistent podium finishes, including a silver medal at the 2023 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, make her a perennial threat in any bracket she enters. Malyjasiak's entry ensures a high level of competition in the medium-heavyweight no-gi division at the New Jersey Fall International Open.
These entries by some of the world's top black belts set the stage for an exciting series of IBJJF events this fall, showcasing elite talent and the relentless pursuit of championship glory.
Entry list — elite black belts
| Athlete | Event | Division |
|---|---|---|
| Thalison Vitorino… | Pan Pacific IBJJF… | Light-Feather |
| Helena Crevar | Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu… | Super-Heavy |
| Maria Malgorzata… | New Jersey Fall… | Medium-Heavy |
Elo and career medal counts from bjjmetrics. Entries are IBJJF black belt adult divisions only.
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