No-Gi Worlds 2026: Stacked Lightweight Bracket Takes Shape
IBJJF spotlights nine names in the 162.6-lb division. Registration closes November 29, and the event runs December 10 to 12 in Las Vegas.
The IBJJF reminded athletes on Wednesday, November 11, that there are only 18 days left to register for the 2026 World No-Gi Championship. To make the point, the federation spotlighted the adult male black belt lightweight division and called it “stacked.” The event runs December 10 to 12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The post features nine athletes: Tarcisio Santos, Samuel Nagai, Max Hanson, Daniel Deeder, Pierre-Olivier Leclerc, Natan Sap, Thiago Ortiz, Rodrigo Mariani and Adam James. The official list, updated by the IBJJF on Wednesday, already shows 20 athletes registered at 162.6 lb.
Tarcisio Santos returns as brown belt champ
The biggest storyline is Tarcisio Santos of Marcio Andre Jiu-Jitsu. A year ago, he won the brown belt lightweight No-Gi world title. Along the way he beat Daniel Deeder by one advantage in the quarterfinals. He then won his semifinal with a kneebar and beat Diallo Braithwaite by two advantages in the final.
Now a black belt, the 20-year-old took bronze at lightweight at the 2026 Gi Worlds in Long Beach. This will be his black belt debut at No-Gi Worlds.
A world champ and UFC BJJ talent
Samuel Nagai, now with Inevat, won the 2023 IBJJF Gi World title at black belt featherweight. He also owns a UFC BJJ win over Kennedy Maciel.
Kingsway’s Daniel Deeder came up through the UFC BJJ Open series and won his UFC BJJ 11 debut by submission in September.
Canada brings three contenders
Max Hanson, a Dante Leon black belt who represents Pedigo Submission Fighting, took silver at -77kg at the 2026 ADCC North American West Coast Trials, losing the final to Michael Sainz.
Pierre-Olivier Leclerc, a Firas Zahabi black belt from Tri-Star Montreal who also trained under John Danaher, competed at middleweight at last year’s No-Gi Worlds. This time he drops to lightweight.
Toronto’s Adam James of Action & Reaction MMA has stacked up IBJJF No-Gi Open golds in Chicago, New York and Toronto.
Europe and Australia join the fight
Rodrigo Mariani of CheckMat London won IBJJF Opens in Europe this year, including a perfect 6-0 day in London with gold in his division and the open class. Poland’s Natan Sap of ZR Team, a colored belt No-Gi world champion, had a strong black belt debut in Madrid.
Australia’s Thiago Ortiz got his black belt from his father, Edson Ortiz, in June 2025, after winning silver at the Abu Dhabi World Pro as a brown belt in 2024.
The defending champ is not registered yet
Cole Abate of AOJ won the 2025 lightweight title with a 14-0 win over Julian Espinosa in the final. He is not on the registration list the IBJJF released Wednesday.
Deadline and requirements
Registration closes November 29 at 11:59 PM local time, or earlier if the event fills up. The current fee is $204. Adult black belts need at least 30 IBJJF No-Gi ranking points to compete.
Who do you think takes gold at lightweight in Las Vegas?
Read more:
- Francisco Papasideiro and Tarcisio Santos Surge as Early Contenders Ahead of Pan 2026
- Mica Galvão Beats Murasaki to Win the 2026 IBJJF Crown
