Gabi Pessanha chases fourth straight Crown title vs. Anabel
The three-time Crown champion and 12-time world champion completes the women’s super-heavyweight bracket, which includes Anabel Lopez, who beat her at ADCC in September.
Gabi Pessanha is confirmed for The Crown 2026. On Thursday (Oct. 15), the IBJJF announced the InFight black belt as the eighth and final athlete in the women’s super-heavyweight division of the invitational, set for November 8 at the Pyramid in Long Beach, California. Gabi has won all three editions of the division, in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and is now chasing a fourth straight title and the $20,000 prize that goes to each division winner.
The full bracket
With Gabi, the super-heavyweight bracket is set. The eight athletes are Larissa Dias, Yara Soares, Maria Alencar, Hazel Butcher-Salazar, Ingridd Alves, Anabel Lopez, Maria Vitória Ruffatto-Gilpin and Gabi herself.
A rematch with Anabel Lopez
The name that stands out is Anabel. At last year’s Crown, Gabi submitted the Checkmat black belt with a straight ankle lock. In September the result flipped: in the ADCC quarterfinals, in Gabi’s debut at the event, Anabel won by referee decision and only lost in the final, to Helena Crevar.
Ruffatto-Gilpin has also faced Gabi this season. At the Worlds in June, she was submitted with a straight ankle lock in the open class semifinal.
A record-setting season
At the 2026 Worlds, Gabi won super-heavyweight and the open class for the sixth year in a row, reached 12 world titles and tied Marcus Buchecha for the most open class world titles. In its announcement, the IBJJF pointed out that she added more guard passing and top game this year to the guard and leg locks that defined her career.
Her rare losses make headlines. In 2026 she lost to Sarah Galvão in the open class final at the Pans and to Anabel at ADCC. Sarah will also be in Long Beach, defending her lightweight title.
Can Gabi Pessanha win a fourth Crown, or will someone take her throne? Let us know in the comments.
Read more
- Anabel Lopez confirmed for The Crown 2026
- Gabi Pessanha and what she left behind at 14
- Sarah Galvão returns to defend her Crown lightweight title
