Gabi Pessanha reveals what fuels her fourth Crown run
The three-time champion uses the new generation as fuel, while Ruffatto debuts with no pressure
Gabi Pessanha starts her run at a fourth straight super heavyweight title at The Crown this Sunday, November 8, at the Pyramid in Long Beach, California. Unbeaten at the event since its first edition, she faces Maria Ruffatto-Gilpin, who is making her Crown debut.
“It’s very rewarding to live everything I’m living through Jiu-Jitsu. I’m someone who loves a challenge, and I’m very competitive. I’ve fought Maria a few times, but like my coach always says, every match is its own match,” Pessanha told VF Comunica. “As for young women coming up to black belt, I use that as motivation to train harder and stay sharp, because honestly, I remember my first year at black belt: I wanted to fight the best and win.”
“Hey! to be very honest, I have been approaching this match with no pressure on me 🙂 This is my debut and my focus is to execute my jiujitsu as smart as I can, against the Champion of the division! A victory against her wouldn’t take away her history or who she is,” Ruffatto said.
The division also features Larissa Dias, Yara Soares, Maria Alencar and Ingridd Alves, according to the Crown 2026 brackets.
Can anyone stop Gabi Pessanha at The Crown?
VF Comunica’s coverage of The Crown is presented by Kingz.
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