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IBJJF World Championship 2025: MMA’s Breeding Ground for Future Stars Kicks Off May 29
The mats are about to heat up in a big way. The IBJJF World Championship—arguably the most prestigious tournament in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—launches its 2025 campaign on Thursday, May 29, bringing together the absolute elite of the grappling world under one roof.
If you’re an MMA fan, you should be paying attention. This isn’t just another grappling tournament—it’s where future UFC champions cut their teeth before transitioning to the cage.
Why MMA Fans Should Care About the IBJJF Worlds
Let’s be real: many of tomorrow’s MMA stars are competing on those mats next month. Just look at the pipeline of talent that’s flowed from IBJJF success to UFC gold—Demian Maia, Fabricio Werdum, Gilbert Burns, Mackenzie Dern, and countless others started by dominating in gi competition.
I’ve been covering combat sports for over a decade, and I can tell you the technical gap between those who’ve mastered BJJ at the world championship level and those who haven’t is stunning when they step into the octagon.
The Academies to Watch in 2025
Several powerhouse teams will be battling for team supremacy:
| Academy | Notable Champions | MMA Crossover Stars |
|---|---|---|
| Alliance | Lucas Lepri, Michael Langhi | Demian Maia, Sergio Moraes |
| Atos | André Galvão, Kaynan Duarte | JT Torres, Davi Ramos |
| Gracie Barra | Roger Gracie, Romulo Barral | Braulio Estima, Felipe Pena |
| Checkmat | Marcus Buchecha, Lucas Leite | Gilbert Burns, Antonio Carlos Jr. |
Athletes to Keep on Your Radar
Several competitors at this year’s IBJJF Worlds are already showing signs they might transition to MMA, including:
- Nicholas Meregali – The heavyweight phenom has already expressed interest in MMA
- Matheus Diniz – With his wrestling-heavy style, he’s practically MMA-ready
- Gabrieli Pessanha – Could be the next female crossover sensation
- Tainan Dalpra – His aggressive style would translate perfectly to the cage
You heard it here first—bookmark these names and thank me in three years when they’re making UFC debuts.
The Connection Between Gi Competition and Cage Success
Why does IBJJF success often translate to MMA dominance? It’s simple: the technical precision required to win at this level creates fundamentals that are bulletproof under pressure.
When someone’s trying to knock your head off, having those thousands of hours of position-before-submission training becomes your lifeline. The gi also forces defensive awareness that no-gi specialists sometimes lack.
As former UFC champion and BJJ world champion Fabricio Werdum once told me, “The gi teaches you to survive first, then win. In MMA, survival is half the battle.”
How to Watch the 2025 IBJJF Worlds
Don’t miss out on seeing tomorrow’s MMA stars today. The championship will be streamed live on FloGrappling, with preliminary matches starting at 9am PST on Thursday, May 29.
The black belt finals—which is where you’ll want to focus your attention if you’re scouting future MMA talent—are scheduled for Sunday, June 1.
What This Means for MMA’s Future
As striking in MMA reaches new technical heights, the grappling meta constantly evolves in response. The champions crowned at the 2025 IBJJF Worlds will be developing the techniques that solve MMA’s current grappling puzzles.
Remember how the berimbolo transformed guard play a decade ago? Or how leg lock systems revolutionized submission grappling? The next evolutionary step in ground fighting is being developed right now by these athletes.
Will you be watching when history gets made? I know I will.
Drop a comment below with which BJJ champion you think would make the best transition to MMA, or if you’ll be attending the event in person. The grappling world is evolving—and the octagon will never be the same.
