Will Wilson drops to featherweight for The Crown, wants the biggest names
In an exclusive interview with VF Comunica, the European champion explains his move down, looks back at the Jackson Nagai final and names Bisnaga, Sam Nagai and Rerisson as his top targets
Will Wilson is changing divisions on the biggest stage of the year. The 2026 European champion at lightweight, the 21-year-old American drops to featherweight for The Crown, set for November 8 at the Pyramid in Long Beach, California. In an exclusive interview with VF Comunica, he explained the decision.
“The reason I decided to fight at featherweight for The Crown was to test my abilities at a different weight class, and to face new opponents. I believe I have a unique skillset from the other competitors in this new division and I’m excited to see how our styles clash,” he said.
The final against Jackson Nagai
Wilson’s name got bigger in March at the Pans. In the lightweight final he faced former world champion Jackson Nagai and was up by two points with about a minute left. Jackson turned it around late and took the title.
Asked whether he let a big chance slip away, Wilson focused on what he took from it. “Jackson is the most accomplished opponent I’ve faced, and we had a very close match against each other. Now looking back, I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to face Jackson so early in my black belt career and I believe our match was just a stepping stone into becoming a more well rounded and dangerous competitor,” he said.
The names he wants in Long Beach
The featherweight bracket includes Sam Nagai, the 2023 champion, João “Bisnaga” Mendes, Rerisson Gabriel, Keven Carrasco, Ademir Barreto, Jun Yong Cho and Mateo Cardona. Wilson wants the biggest of them.
“There’s a lot of exciting matchups in the division and I believe I have a style that can beat anyone I face. I’m someone who always wants to fight the toughest names, so to face João, Sam, or Rerisson would be the most exciting matchups for me,” he said.
Mateo Cardona is a familiar face. Wilson beat him 2 to 0 in this year’s European final in Lisbon.
The deep half and the spotlight
The deep half guard has become Wilson’s trademark, and opponents know it is coming. He is not worried. “I believe that my deep half is a tool I can utilize to change the tempo of the match and something that throws my opponents off when they face me, but it’s not my entire game, and the more that people study my game and try to counter me, the more I’ll be able to show,” he said.
Even with a European title and a Pans final, Wilson still gets less attention than other names in the division. He sees The Crown as the way to change that. “I believe that the way you grow your name in the sport of Jiujitsu is by fighting the biggest names and putting on good performances for the fans, and that’s what I plan to do at The Crown. I believe I have what it takes to become one of the biggest names in the sport and I’m excited to share my journey with the jiujitsu community,” he said.
Each Crown division champion takes home $20,000.
Read more: Rerisson Gabriel completes The Crown 2026 featherweight bracket and Sam Nagai promises no steroids, no stalling at The Crown.
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