The jiu jitsu competition to end all jiu jitsu competitions is over, and it duly delivered — showcasing the world’s best BJJ exponents. This year, the IBJJF tournament was hotly anticipated, because star martial artist Marcus Almeida ‘Buchecha’ was returning to action. Coming back from a lengthy absence following knee surgery in 2015, big things were predicted for this Checkmat heavyweight. Buchecha didn’t disappoint, and produced dramatic displays – culminating in him smashing the world title record for this weight division. Roger Gracie had previously won a third world title in 2010, but Buchecha won his fourth absolute black belt title. He also claimed victory in his weight division, which is an amazing accomplishment.
The 2016 competition was certainly a record breaking one, with the open weight legacies of both Rafael Mendes and Marcus Almeida up for grabs. Mendes won the world featherweight black belt title for the sixth time, beating the record he set in 2015.
Bruno Malfacine remained dominant at roosterweight, improving his record to eight world titles – far exceeding Omar Salum’s previous record of two titles, set in 2000.
Domynika Obelenyte was another notable competitor. This twenty year old athlete of Lithuanian-American descent won her second double gold medal in a row. She is the youngest competitor ever to accomplish this feat.
Rooster
Bruno Malfacine Defeats Caio Terra By 2 advantage
Light Feather
Paulo Miyao Defeats Ary Farias By 4×2 pts
Feather Weight
Rafael Mendes Defeats Márcio André by 10×10 pts and 2×1 advantages
Light Weight
Lucas Lepri Defeats Edwin Najmi by Bow And Arrow Choke
Middle Weight
Otavio Sousa Closed Out Division With Gabriel Arges From Gracie Barra
Medium Heavy Weight
Leandro Lo Defeats Romulo Barral by 5×0 pts
Heavy Weight
Andre Galvao Defeats Jackson Sousa by Referee decision
Super Heavy Weight
Leo Nogueira Defeats Alexandro Ceconi by 2×0 advantages
Ultra Heavy Weight
Marcus Almeida Defeats James Puopolo by armbar
Absolute
Marcus Almeida Defeats Erberth Santos by 4×2
Rooster Weight
Rikako Yuasa Defeats Outi Jarvilehto by bow and arrow choke
Light-Feather Weight
Gezary Matuda Defeats Kristina Barlaan by submission
Feather Weight
Mackenzie Dern Defeats Michelle Nicolini by Bow and arrow choke
Light Weight
Beatriz Mesquita Defeats Sarah Black by points
Middle Weight
Monique Elias Defeats Luiza Monteiro by referee decision
Medium Heavy Weight
Andresa Correa Defeats Sijara Eubanks by 10×0 pts
Heavy Weight
Fernanda Mazelli Defeats Alyson Tremblay by referee decision
Super Heavy Weight
Domynika Obelenyte Defeats Venla Luukkonen by 33×0
Absolute
Domynika Obelenyte Defeats Beatriz Mesquita by 1×0 advantage
