We are only weeks away from one of the biggest grappling tournaments of all time, the 2026 ADCC World Championships - live exclusively on FloGrappling. This event is bringing together dozens of world-ranked grapplers to determine who is the best on one of the sport’s most historic stages. Legends are made at ADCC, moments are created there that will define this generation of grappling greats.
One of the most dramatic and exciting parts of any ADCC World Championship is the absolute - an open class with no weight limits that brings together sixteen of the most impressive athletes to compete for even more prize money and the right to challenge the super fight champion at the next Worlds. Athletes train their whole lives for just a shot at entering this bracket - and winning it all can change careers and lives.
The absolute in 2026 is already looking to be one of the toughest we’ve ever seen, with contenders in every division that can shake everything up and claim the top spot for their own. We have identified six contenders from different weights, different countries, and different styles we want to see in the absolute this year who can claim the throne.
Dante Leon, Canada, -77kg
Dante, the number one ranked men’s pound-for-pound grappler, put himself in the record books with his run at the 2024 ADCC absolute, winning bronze in a stacked bracket with wins over two men who had just won gold in their divisions. The Adamas & PSF athlete has always been down to face whoever, at any size, any ruleset, and in 2026 he has to be one of the absolute favorites coming in.
Dante is one of the strongest, most consistent guys in the world. He’s got world ranked wins at every division from 155lbs to 205lbs, and even made the WNO Grand Prix finals as the smallest man in that tournament. All that’s missing from his incredible career is ADCC gold.
Dorian Olivarez, United States of America, -66kg
Dorian Olivarez is, without exception, the most unique offensive grappler in the world. His ability to blend wrestling & submission grappling concepts with a high-octane injection of pace, grit, and aggression has to be seen to be believed. This September, he can become the first -66kg (145lb) grappler to medal in the absolute - and that medal may just be gold.
Put this into perspective - Dorian is ranked top-3 at 145lbs and #1 at 155lbs and he has wins over the top 2 heavyweights on Earth. He bullied Felipe Pena at CJI 2 and beat Luke Griffith under ADCC rules already. He’s the underdog to no man in a submission grappling match and ADCC 2026 could end up belonging to Dorian & Team Olivarez.
Pawel Jaworski, Poland, -88kg
The most exciting young Polish athlete in the world is ready for his big breakout in the grandest tournament in the country’s history. Pawel Jaworski has only been a black belt for a little over a year now and has already won every IBJJF grand slam no-gi major - including a World title in 2025.
Pawel already has the best false reap in grappling history, and his flexible guard seems genuinely unpassable. The Academia Gorila athlete has a K guard system that draws everyone into his deadly leg locks. In an absolute, his flexibility is even more of an asset against the bigger grapplers trying to pass his prodigious guard. With this tournament being held in Poland, could he be spurred on to the top of the podium?
Declan Moody, Australia, -99kg
Declan Moody has been on a steady climb since the last ADCC and now Australia’s best guard passer walks into Krakow as a serious medal threat not just in his division but here in the open class. Declan Moody won the WNO Open Weight championship in an absolute GP, defeating number one pound-for-pound Dante in the finals. He’s as technical as he is intimidating and now he’s in the mix for winning any bracket in the world.
Pedro Marinho, Brazil, -88kg
The Porrada Boy isn’t coming to Poland to mess around and his open class credentials speak for themselves. Marinho actually usually does his best work going up in weight, winning the open class at the IBJJF No-Gi Worlds and the BJJ Stars Open Class championship last year. Pedro has had a tumultuous 2026 and I believe the best version of him is ready to storm into these divisions.
Luke Griffith, South Africa, -99kg
Luke Griffith is laser focused on gold in Poland and the number one ranked heavyweight in the world doesn’t care who knows it. After finally slaying the dragon by submitting his rival Felipe Pena at WNO 31, Griffith has ascended to a new level where he wants to establish a legacy that lasts the test of time. He can do that by winning this bracket.
Luke is the star pupil of ADCC star Gordon Ryan and John Danaher, two men who can lead him to the top of the podium. Luke’s path won’t be easy - including a potential weight class showdown with Kaynan Duarte - but he has the size, technique, and devastating back attacks to finish anyone.